The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
Please vote in the Forum Structure Poll. Polling will close at 2PM EST on January 21, 2025.
Amazing Restaurant recommendations for SF
neville
The Worst Gay(Seriously. The Worst!)Registered User regular
The Worst Gay(Seriously. The Worst!)Registered User regular
So I'm a bit of a foodie and am going to SF in March.
I'd love it if someone could recommend great restaurants there.
I've been to Fleur de Lys in the summer (it was incredible), and I adored Le Bernardin in NYC.
Essentially I'm looking for a Michelin-star rated restaurant, although if you know of an amazing-yet-overlooked place, I'm open to that too!
I'd love it if someone could recommend great restaurants there.
I've been to Fleur de Lys in the summer (it was incredible), and I adored Le Bernardin in NYC.
Essentially I'm looking for a Michelin-star rated restaurant, although if you know of an amazing-yet-overlooked place, I'm open to that too!
neville on
0
Posts
It was a couple of years ago, so I barely remember what I had, but I do remember the Yellowtail Sushi appetizer was really good. It is ostensibly a "Vietnamese Restaurant" but it's a very unique take on that kind of food, so even if you're not into Vietnamese food or Asian food or Ethnic food or whatever, it's definitely worth taking a look. It might be my favorite of all the restaurants I've been to.
Edit: After glancing at the menu, I seem to remember the Shaking Beef being very very good, as well as the Grapefruit and Jicama salad.
SF has tons of great restaurants, so you may want to elaborate a bit on what it is you're looking for. Do you just want to try different cuisine? Or do you know that your stomach shies away from certain types of food? Also, don't limit yourself to SF if you have a car available. Oakland, Berkeley, and even the South Bay has some fantastic food. For example, Fremont has the largest Afghan population outside of Afghanistan (and also a sizable Chinese and Indian population as well). Growing up there, I can tell you that there are some really great hole-in-the-wall places that you wouldn't expect to get in the middle of suburbia.
When I was last out there, a former pastry chef from Chez Panisse had just opened an ice cream shop called Ici that was pretty great, although it's pretty much just an ice cream parlor. It's certainly worth a visit though. I suppose Slanted Door could be worth checking out, Zuni Cafe and Greens as well. I haven't been to Spruce, but I've heard it's worth a shot from friends. I'm sort of drawing a blank beyond that, it's been too long since I was last in SF. Oh, you might look into Gary Danko as well.
Since you mention the Michelin guide, I'm trying to gauge whether all you want is French or French-styled cuisine, or what it is you're looking for. I'm sure you're already aware of the issues surrounding it though.
Mitsunori Kusakabe, the executive chef, has won a bunch of awards - world sushi chef of the year, et cetera.
Go for lunch if you can - much cheaper but the food is still awesome.
What else.... the Salt House is fucking fantastic. They've got a short rib poutine you'll kill for once you try it. It's by 1st and Mission. Opened a few years ago by the guy that did Townhall (which is also great).
If you like traditional Italian (from Campania) check out A16. Phenomenal food. Nate Appleman is a hell of a chef, and a nice guy too. If you're at all into Italian wine, their cellar is another good reason to check it out. It's in the Marina on Chestnut.
Let me know if you have questions!
PS3 Trophies
I've been considering Chez Panisse, as I've read books by Alice Waters and Jeremiah Towers.
I appreciate the recommendations, more are welcome!
What issues do you mean?
And no, I'm open to all types of cuisine, not just French or French-inspired.
Haven't been to the one by the wharf, but if it's anything like the Sausalito Scoma's, I'd go with so-so. The Sausalito one is a tourist trap by and large. It's got a great view of the bay, and the food is pretty good, but way overpriced.
And speaking of being by the wharf, check out Gary Danko. Fantastically good food.
We did make it to the Sausalito Scoma's during one trip out and were not impressed. The one down on the Wharf was worlds better.
http://www.intercontinentalmarkhopkins.com/top_of_the_mark/ This restaurant is on the top floor of the Mark Hopkins hotel on Nob Hill, and has the most absurdly great view of the city. (I proposed to my fiance here!
http://www.quincerestaurant.com/ This is my dad's favorite restaurant. Make reservations well in advance and plan on spending some money, it's worth it.
http://thestinkingrose.com/ Garlic specialty restaurant. Went here for dinner after I proposed and it was simply amazing.
If you are interested in leaving the city there are a number of great places in the east bay also.
Yes, I have, but that doesn't always mean anything.
We found a 4 star place last time... turns out it was highly rated for taking cash and being conveniently located for a number of... female "night workers".
(my personal (inexpensive) favorites are cheeseboard pizza (across the street from chez pannisse) in berkeley and king of thai noodle in sf (scoma's is good too))
Well that's kind of your fault for not reading the reviews a little. Can't overrate convenience though!
I'll put my .02 in for Scoma's as well. I've only ever been to the one on the wharf, and it was fantastic. Their cioppino is so so good.
The Best in Terms of Pants on JCCC3
Or I could come here and make this post asking for relevant reviews.
There are ~25 restaurants with 1+ Michelin stars.
So your post isn't that helpful, because I want feedback, not anonymous Yelp reviews.
I'm going to shoot for Chez Pannissee then. My friend is in Berkeley anyhow, so they is convenient.
And Ici sounds amazing as well.