NewbE

Hi, all! Flying into SFO on Christmas Day around noon, staying in St. Helena that night. We will be spending the week packing in as much wine tasting as we possibly can, so the fact that we are having trouble scheduling a wine tasting that day is not of concern; and we have dinner reservations in St. Helena that night.

We will be driving a rental car. We will have been traveling since about 4am, so I think we definitely need food soon after landing, but it could be almost anything. We just don't want to be stuck with bad or no options.

So the question is, what to do in the afternoon that involves some food? Lunch, or brunch? Where--Chinatown (in SF) was floated as an option--is this realistic, and if so, any specific suggestions? How about Sausalito? Or should we just head to Napa??

3 out of the 4 of us don't eat meat, but we eat everything else, so any cuisine will do. Thank you in advance for your ideas!

sf7307

If you want to eat right away, head to Burlingame Avenue (about 3 miles south of the airport) - many excellent restaurants, including branches of San Francisco restaurants (Limon, Delfina, Little Star, etc.), our favorite Chinese/Burmese - Mingalaba, and you can't go wrong with the excellent burger at Copenhagen. Many others as well.

If you don't want to eat right away, why not Chinatown? I'd head straight for R&G Lounge on Kearny St.

NewbE

Thanks, sf, I am very familiar with Burlingame Avenue, and you're right, that is the fastest route to food.I really appreciate your specific suggestions, as my experience there is dated.

R&G Lounge would probably be a fun-er option, though...do you think we need a reservation? Do they even take them?

sf7307

I just looked it up and it says they've stopped taking reservtions for Xmas Eve and Xmas Day but they'll still take walk-ins.

NewbE

Well thank you again, very much! If we can't push our way in, are there any other places in SF proper that you'd recommend, in a fun neighborhood? (Anything strollable, that is.)

Stevening

Since you flew into SFO instead of OAK I would take advantage of the fact that you're already in Frisco and enjoy a nice meal. It will take you awhile to get to your destination and you're already going to be famished.
When you leave the airport just head north on 101 and you'll have tons of great choices. Plus you'll also be going right past Chinatown too which should have more restaurants open on Christmas.
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

Stevening

Update for you, I found this on a SF tourism site for restaurants open on Christmas:
1300 on Fillmore: 3 seatings for Christmas Dinner in San Francisco, 2pm, 4:30pm, & 7pm, $79 per person

750 Restaurant & Bar: Prix fixe from 4pm to 10pm, $75 for adults, $25 for kids (under 12)

Americano Restaurant: 3-course holiday dinner from 2pm-7pm, $70 per guest, children 5 and under $35

Brasserie S&P at Loews San Francisco Hotel: Prix fixe menu from 4pm to 9pm, $75 per person

Campton Place: Multiple choice 5 course tasting menu for $158 per person

Eclipse Kitchen & Bar: Special holiday meal for just $25 per person

L'Olivier: 4-course dinner at $60++ per person, serving from 3pm to 10pm

Luce at the InterContinental: Brunch for $85 per person with unlimited bubble, dim sum, kids 4-12 $45 each

Morton's Steakhouse: Open from 4pm to 9pm, steak dinner

Palio d'Asti: Prix fixe dinner with seasonal favorites, $85 per person with a special children's menu (under 10) for $25

Roy's: 3-course holiday menu served from 12pm to 8pm, $59.95 per person, kids menu is also available

Scala's Bistro: Breakfast served starting at 8am, brunch/lunch served from 11:30am to 3pm

The Waterfront Restaurant & Cafe: Serving from 12pm to 9pm on Christmas Day

Zingari Ristorante: 3 course menu for $75 per person, serving from 1pm to 10pm, children's menu available too

NewbE

Thank you, Stevening! (cool name, btw) TBH, we haven't traveled with this couple before, and I dread the indecisiveness that comes of driving past options without a clear plan. SO and I alone would be fine with that, so maybe I'm over-planning, but that's the reason.

StuDudley

Better check if the restaurants suggested by sf7307 are open on Christmas day. Delfina, Copenhagen, Il Fornaio, Rangoon Ruby, Rasa, Straits, Rasoi (where are dining on Friday), and Rose's Cafe in SF are all closed on Christmas day. I suspect everything is closed (no McDonalds on Burlingame Ave area)

Stu Dudley

NewbE

Will do, Stu. McDonald's? Yeah, no.

StuDudley

>>When you leave the airport just head north on 101 and you'll have tons of great choices. Plus you'll also be going right past Chinatown too which should have more restaurants open on Christmas.

sf7307

I think Stu is right about Burlingame, but R&G is open.

NewbE

Thanks very much for that list, Stu.

StuDudley

Personally, I would look for a restaurant in Sausalito. I live next to SFO, and I can get to Sausalito & parked in about the same time I can get to Chinatown and parked (if I can). Obviously, you will arrive in St Helena sooner from Sausalito than you will via Chinatown.

However, Sausalito might not have any restaurants open (I checked Scoma's - closed)

Stu Dudley

NewbE

I was thinking Sausalito, too, actually, I think it would be restorative to take a scenic walk after lunch. I will check Open Table.

NewbE

What are your thoughts on Salito's, The Trident or Aurora in Sausalito? Those are the only 3 with availability on Christmas Day, according to Open Table. A view would be fun, unless the food is awful. Are there others I should check on?

StuDudley

Trident has great views. We dined there quite often - 35 years ago. It has valet parking also.

Stu Dudley

Michael

Koi Palace in Daly City--http://koipalace.com/

You then can avoid downtown SF and just use 19th Ave. to get to the Golden Gate bridge.

NewbE

I don't generally swear by Yelp, but the verdict on Salito's and The Trident is that the views are great but the food is so-so. Given that we get lots of so-so seafood here in Tampa, I think Chinatown is the way to go.

Can anyone suggest a backup plan if R&G Lounge won't let us in?

NewbE

Oh, also, can anyone recommend any of the following, or dissuade us from the idea that a big Wharf restaurant could be fun on Christmas Day?

Crab House at Pier 39
McCormick & Kuleto's
Franciscan Crab Restaurant

Thank you!