Casual and Funky Dining in San Francisco?
 

Hi everyone - we'll be going to San Francisco for a total of three days as part of a west coast trip. We'll be staying right near Union Square, but are willing to travel a bit for some fun dining experiences. We're huge fans of Indian, Middle Eastern and Thai food and to be honest all Asian food in general. My guess is we'll be in luck in San Francisco, but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I've heard of Poleng, Minako, Slanted Door and Betelnut, but would be interested in some off the beaten path suggestions. We also are big fans of not spending $200 on dinner :o) Any comments on the restaurants I mentioned above would be appreciated. Thanks so much for your help!

Swan Oyster Depot, Home Restaurant on Union Street and Zazie in Cole Valley are a few I really like.

Come on over to Berkeley and check out Vik's. It's casual and spectacularly good Indian food. Check hours.

BTW~go to chowhound.com and post your question on the SF Board. You will get all sorts of suggestions.

Also, there is a Google Group called bafood (Bay Area Food), that you could post an inquiry on.

These should fit your specs perfectly, both Asian, both excellent:
<b>Burma Superstar</b> (in the Richmond)
www.burmasuperstar.com
and
<b>Eliza's</b> (hip Chinese) (two locations, one in Potrero Hill, the other on Clement)
http://tinyurl.com/22ru92

Try Borobudur for Indonesian - inexpensive, clean, good food, Union Square area.

http://www.borobudursf.com/

What about polinesian? The Tonga room is on expensive side, but for experience... they open for dinner only, in the Fairmont on California/Mason, make reservation.

From 7 or 8 pm every 1/2 hour there is thunder, lightning, real rain. In the pool in the middle of the restaurant a live band on a float - you can dance! You will be sitting under a straw roof of a Polinesian hut.

Hi doogs, here is the website for the San Francisco Chronical's restaurant and food section which you might enjoy reviewing.

http://www.sfgate.com/food/

For a good sushi experience near Union Square, try Sanraku on the 700 block of Sutter Street. Better than the places right around Union Square and it'sjust a few blocks further.

Haven't been out for dim sum in ages, but do a search on the subject because it's been discussed extensively on other people's S.F. posts.

Thanks for the suggestions - Burma Superstar looks right up our alley. The links will definitely come in handy and I'll post to the other boards as well.

One additional question - has anyone been to Maharani and what did you think? Menu looks awesome and I'm terribly intrigued in the Fantasy Room! Any thoughts? Thanks a bunch everyone.

One warning/caveat about Burma Superstar: you cannot make reservations, and the wait can be up to an hour. I am the world's least patient person when I'm hungry, so when we had to wait the first time, I did nothing but pout. That pout disappeared the minute our first plate arrived -- and by the time I was into my third bite of food, I was beaming!

Also, you can wait at the very cool bar across the street, which is also fun. The Burma people will tell you which one when you give them your name for your wait.
:)

Almost all dining in San francisco is funky and casual so don't worry.

I've only been once and it was several months ago, but try Dosa on Valencia street if you get the chance. dosasf.com is the website. Lots of casual and funky places to grab a drink around there as well. Maybe a drink at the Latin American Club (if you like downmarket?) and then dinner at Dosa?

Dosa is a good suggestion, Leely. I would caution, though, that anyone going there be a <u>big</u> fan of South Indian food. My husband and I recently went with a group of 4 others: 2 of us weren't enamored with the food; 2 thought it was good; 2 thought it was great!

Thanks again everyone - Dosa does look different from other Indian I've had, but looks good! Thanks for all the advice - looking forward to trying out some spots!