In my ongoing investigation into whether Facebook can be useful or is ultimately a sinister plot by Chaos to cut worldwide productivity in half, I requested suggestions on places worth eating in San Francisco.
Here are the responses I received in the event you might want to add them to your ‘hit list’ for the next time you visit. I’ve added a few explanatory notes in ITALICS at points.
Daryl Geffken commented on your status: “naan and curry… fantastic. azteca in the castro… not the chain… ask a local what to get. pho vietnam II. have fun”
Jeremy Leonard Hansen commented on your status: “Say hi to Chef Eric Tucker at Millennium for lunch & Michael Mina’s Clock Bar for cocktails. Have fun and eat with thought my friend.”
Tad Wisenor commented on your status: “You can never go wrong with the Pacific Cafe at 7000 Geary. Two of my favorite seafood meals ever.”
Diane Allen Buzzard commented on your status: “Try Tommie’s Joint! Very fun + good food!”
Jeff Englehorn commented on your status: “the stinking rose is always fun… oh yeah- the caffe trieste in north beach for espresso, then over to vesuvio – where kerouac used to hang out…”
Eric Charles Lanes commented on your status: “Bouca di Beppo on Howard is always a riot–but you have to go in a group to the hang of it. Meatballs the size of softballs, ravioli the size of playing cards, parmigiana to kill g’ma for. Get off on Harrison/Bryant from S. 101 or from the Bay Bridge coming West (and you could get off on Howard just as easily) and in your in South-of-Market. Up and down Harrison, Bryant, Howard, & Folsom (run parallel) you’ll find alot of different things. Gets somewhat fancier toward Financial District/Mkt. St. so try to stay toward the grungier part of SoMa. Good Indian food places, dim sum, etc. Too many to list here.” “Almost forgot: Picadilly Fish & Chips @ 1348 Polk St (415) 771-6477 is excellent (it’s a block off Van Ness, right turn). Naan N’ Chutney 525 Haight for Indian is good. Okay, okay. Last: If you want some fancier excellent food that’s prepared by a staff of all ex-convicts/parolees (I’m not kidding) go to Delancey Street Restaurant at 600 Embarcadero St (right under the 80 freeway, pretty much). From S. 101 get off on Howard go to the bottom of Howard, turn right and go on. Ex-cons doing valet parking, too. http://www.facebook.com/l/;delanceystreefoundation.org” “One more thing: If you get to the East Bay and have time, go to Linguini’s in Alameda 1506 Park St. Pescatore is recommended (every shellfish there is w/calamari over garlicky fettucine, basil, olive oil, parmesan butter, tomatoes, onions, etc). So is the asiago w/prosciutto on spinach fettucine with peas. From 80 E. on Bay Bridge take 880 Nimitz Freeway south get off on Webster St./Alameda exit, thru the tube onto the island, take a left on Central at end of Webster (becomes Encinal at split right exactly where I lived a block away), drive thru town and left on Park. Lived here for 5 years–great little town and this was my favorite eating place. http://www.facebook.com/l/;linguinisrestaurant.com (pix of the food!) Sushi in Alameda: Kamakura 2549 Santa Clara. Oakland: In the Piedmont off MacArthur is Shin-Shin. Small excellent Chinese outfit. Ask for waiter Dennis-good man. In Jack London Square (right on water under freeway) in Oakland: Hahn’s Hibachi–great Korean Grill (get a side of spicy kim chee).”
Cammie Finnerty commented on your status: “Swans (OYSTER BAR) for lunch if you haven’t been already. Also, try Anchor and Hope. My sister-in-law works there and I hear the food is yummy!” “Just thought of another good one… Burma Superstar- on Clement St. The tea leaf salad is a must!”
Julie Ann Higgins Russell commented on your status: “I had an excellent dinner at Gitane on Claude Alley. The bacon bonbons were delicious (and I don’t usually eat meat) and the dessert beignets are something I still think about.”
Thanks to everyone who weighed in with a suggstion. Eric gets the award for the most enthusiastic and detailed suggestions. Naan and Curry picked up two votes and I happened to drive by it as well as The Stinking Rose on my way to pick up a friend in the Financial District. In the end we headed down to the Ferry Terminal on the Embarcadero to Taylor’s Automatic Refresher for half a bottle of wine and an order of sweet potato fries. The setting was near perfect, but one of the food suggestions above would have been better.
