DH & I are heading to Bay Area next month, and will be in San Francisco for 2 nights. Last time we were in SF, we ate at Perbacco, which I love. DH, OTOH, was suffering a terrible headache so he didn't get to enjoy his meal. We also ate at Spruce which was outstanding.

This time, we're staying at Parc 55 Wyndham near Union Square. I really, really want to eat somewhere that is within walking distance (under 1 mile; no steep hill). I don't mind returning to Perbacco (clocks in at 0.9 mile) but also would like to try something different. I've looked at recent threads for ideas but most places are out of my 1-mile radius, or the price point is too high. I'd like to stick with Perbacco prices (mid 10s for apps; mid-high 20s for entrees). I also like to eat at places with changing menus using in-season & local ingredients. Does this exist near Union Sq?

P.S. I have made a lunch reservation at the Chez Panisse cafe for this upcoming trip already. I'm looking for dinner recommendations for our 2 nights in SF (Sun/Mon).

thanks in advance!

Some nice choices:

Around the corner from your hotel:

Colibri (not-your-usual-tacosandenchiladas-Mexican) .2 miles

A little farther than your 1.0 mile walk:

Prospect (sister restaurant to Boulevard) 1.3 miles
Kokkari (upscale very good Greek) 1.2 miles
Cotogna (one of those places it's impossible to get a reservation) 1.1 miles

another vote for Colibri

If you want something more casual and neihborhoody - Uncle Vito's Italian, up the bill but a short walk from Union Sq
Adventurous - Borobodur on Post is a few blocks away but more towards the Tenderloin
There's also Grand Cafe which is upscale but hit and miss

Or you could go to Perbacco's next door sister -- Barbacco.
I met your at a GTG at John's Grill, right?

sf7307 - did you get your chef's knife in San Mateo?

We really enjoyed meals at:

One Market
Fifth Floor
Campton Place

Shanghainese: I met your at a GTG at John's Grill, right?

Don't believe so. Think you met me at the John's Grill - you also met DebitNM at John's Grill. Unless it was some other GTG, which is very possible, since i don't track all of them.

BTW, yk, DebitNM has given you the best recommendations.

Maybe you two should meet, two of the nicest Fodorites. One speaks Cantonese and the other Shanghainese - you're going to need an interpreter.

Forgot to add: I'd suggest going towards Union Square on Powell, rather than going down along Market Street.

There are plenty of places in and around Union Square - there's all kinds of famous restaurants around/close to Union Square.

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc...rancisco%2C+CA

I was thinking of Farallon, if you like seafood.

Or you could look up Maiden Lane and see if one of those restaurants suit your tastes.

I almost never eat downtown but make an exception for Cotogna. Not technically downtown but close enough for me.

If you want really casual Barbacco's great (in fact I like it better than Perbacco).

Not crazy about One Market but have enjoyed Campton Place and Fifth Floor in the past.

To clarify, Canteen is close to you and really good (small menu though), but not open Su/Mo nights.

We love Barbacco, especially for our first night when we want to dine a bit earlier. On our last trip, we really liked Park Tavern and we walked from the Embarcadero area. We also walked to Cotogna. Not so close, but a place we absolutely loved was State Bird Provisions.

I'm also not a huge fan of One Market, but it's very popular.

We had a really nice lunch there, and given it was during DAT, I figure that it must be even nicer when it is a non-DAT meal. I will yield to the locals.

OK, this is also a must do on every trip for us. I know there are those that disagree, but we have to go to Tadish for cioppino. If you go around 5 or 5:30 on Monday and be willing to sit at the counter, you won't have too bad of a wait. We always do that and it is so much fun to sit there. The one time we sat at a table, it was not nearly as fun a meal.

Hi DebitNM, it's Tadich Grill, one door west of Perbacco.

easytraveler -- yk speaks Cantonese? I owe you an email, be patient ...

It is, and Barbacco is one door east - respectively, 240, 230 and 220 California St.

S'hainese: easytraveler -- yk speaks Cantonese?

I believe that she and her brother, rkkwan, both are Cantonese speakers, although yk speaks opera better than she speaks Cantonese. (Just kidding, yk!)

S'hainese: no problem about the email. Anytime at your leisure. I am a very patient person - BUT, that XLB urge may overwhelm my patience.

yk: sorry for hijacking your thread. Do you have a preferred cuisine? That might help narrow things down a bit, besides the one mile radius. Or if you were willing to take a taxi. A taxi ride of $5 or $10 could really extend your radius.

One of my relatives who lives in San Francisco told me of a restaurant they recently went to: Keiko a Nob Hill, which is famous for its foie gras. Too bad California's ban on foie gras starts this Sunday. Keiko has a prix fixe dinner for $80/person which is supposedly really worth it, but the foie gras is their signature dish. Anyhow, just wanted to give you an example of what's possible with a greater radius. There are always so many good restaurants starting up in SF.

Hey - thanks for the great reading/dining tips for an "ex-pat" from "Frisco".

I can remember yeeeeears ago - when we (Starndard Oil Computer Dept lads and lasses) - used to love to go to Maiden Lane for lunch and this small restaurant - In the Alley? - had the best Cannelloni. Just marvelous.

And here is a Yelp page for current Maiden Lane restaurants:

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc...rancisco%2C+CA

Or was In the Alley on Belden Place? Oh the years - how they dim the memory. http://www.belden-place.com/

Actually - it was Belden Lane/Alley/Place where In the Alley was located - but we also enjoyed places on Maiden Lane.

Back in the 70's - the lunches were tres reasonable - even at the Old Poodle Dog.

http://www.belden-place.com/view/directions/