My friends have tickets to see Chicago at the Golden Gate Theater this Saturday night at 8PM. I need some advice about the dining options available on short notice that would be semi-close to the theater. I have been to the Curran and Orpheum but never the Golden Gate so my knowledge is limited. Any quick advice would be much appreciated. I think they are open to just about any price-range or cuisine.

ttt

I'd go with Grand Cafe - about 3/10ths of a mile from the theater. Excellent food and ambience - and they're used to getting people in and out for the theater.

Grand Cafe  
501 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 292-0101

SFImporter: Will try Grand Cafe for reservations. I have tried a couple of places that I usually go to pre-theater and because it is so late, they are booked. Two questions: What is the dress at Grand Cafe? If Grand Cafe is booked, where do I try next? Thanks for the help.

One more thing. They are staying at the Mandarin Hotel and there is a reservation opening at Silks in the hotel at 6PM. Would that be an option since they are already in the hotel. Have never eaten there but have heard some good things about it. At the same time I am not sure if that would get them to a 8PM curtain or not.

No reservations available at Grand Cafe on Saturday night. Maybe I need to look toward the Civic Center/Symphony Hall area?? over to Hayes Street Grill? Jardiniere was booked as well. Zuni Cafe?

topping

It's going to be tough getting a reservation at any upscale or decent restaurant this weekend as there is an American Bar Association meeting here, which means lots of lawyers out on the town. If Silks is still availabe may be best bet.

BTW if they are staying at the Mandarin the conceirege should be able to get them a reservation at most places. What's the point of staying at an expensive business hotel if it cannot deliver hard to get reservations?

No, no. the Golden Gate Theatre is on Market Street, near United Nations Plaza -- not near Union Square. It is one of the worst neighbhoods in town and I would not advise eating near there and walking to the theater. Even parking in the neighborhood and walking back to my car after the theater sometimes makes me uncomfortable & I'm used to the area because I work near there.

Ask Silks if they think you will make an 8pm curtain at the GG and take a cab from there to the theater. That's your best bet.

I knew between the convention and the Opera and three large theater performances that reservations would be at a premium. I recommended to them to reserve Silks and then check with the conceirge after arriving for any last minute reservation. I had already told them that the area around the theater was not a good one. I presume getting a cab after the theater lets out won't be hard. I have never had a problem at either the Orpheum or Curran. Will give them the taxi numbers just in case. Thanks to everyone for their input. Their weekend is really shaping up to be a great one. Now if I can just find them a convertible for Sunday and Monday.

If you're going out of the area, but still a short cab/underground muni ride, some good bets are:

Absinthe
398 Hayes St
http://www.absinthe.com/
415-555-1590

Mecca
2029 Market St.
Cross Street:
Dolores and 14th
http://www.sfmecca.com
(415) 621-7000

2223 Restaurant and Bar
2223 Market St.
http://www.2223restaurant.com
(415) 431-0692

All have really excellent food. Mecca can sometimes be slow - but if you plan an early meal you should do fine. They are about on par with Zuni and same casually dressy dress-code.