We will be travelling with our 11mo for our upcoming visit to San Fran. Any recommendations for restaurants who won't mind a baby?

We a big foodies from NYC and would love to try some great good in San Fran, but the baby definitely complicates that. So the fancy places are out for us. There have to be some good casual places though. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Almost any restaurant in San Francisco will welcome a child, even an 11 month old. What type(s) of food would you like to eat? How much do you want to spend?
Check http://www.chowhound.com or http://www.yelp.com for many suggestions.

Another suggestion might be to use a baby sitter through your hotel or an agency and the two of you enjoy a night out.

San Franciso restaurants "accept" aggressive panhandlers. Children should be at least as welcome.

Have a great trip and enjoy a world class city.

"San Franciso restaurants "accept" aggressive panhandlers."

What do you mean "accept", they ARE agressive panhandlers

Accepting agressive panhandlers in restaurants?????? In the 33 years I've dined in The City, I've never seen any kind of panhandler in a restaurant. Perhaps on Belden a panhandler might walk by & ask for a "donation" - but that's rare (I've never seen it)

Stu Dudley

I notice way less panhandlers than when we were in SF ten years ago. That said, I know of a number of people who quit going to SF because of this problem, sort of like NY in the 80's. We quit going to NYC for ten years after getting accosted, followed, harrassed and threatened by panhandlers, transvestite prostitutes, and just out and out crazies. But Giuliani took care of a lot of those problems so back we went.

I greatly admire Stu Dudley's contributions to this forum and column. However, I have seen first hand panhandlers walk into restaurants and accost diners including me) in which I was dining, both in the Union Square and North Beach areas of San Francisco. Both lunch and dinner time. Not something one forgets.

I guess we must dine at different restaurants.

Stu Dudley

Please don't call it "San Fran" while you are there. It is called either San Francisco or the city.

I guess Stu and I must go to the same restaurants. As a resident I will freely acknowledge that there are too many people begging on the streets, especially in tourist areas (because visitors find it hard to say no). But in 30+ years of dining out in SF I have never seen a panhandler in a restaurant. I also have never been "accosted, followed, harrassed and threatened by panhandlers, transvestite prostitutes" but then again I stay out of the Tenderloin.

Billaaaay,...you mean The City.

Been going to SF since the mid 60s and never had a problem in restaurants even before Mayor Jordan's "Matrix" program.

Unless you count the time I ran into this street person:
http://www.worldisround.com/articles...1/photo14.html

Hi- we were in SF in May and a really fun place to eat was a place called "Rain Forest Cafe". It was located close to Fishermans Wharf- and was recommended to us by a local there.
The best way to describe this place is like a mini disney theme- if you have never been to one- We have no children and really enjoyed the experience and the food was also really good.
There are many other restaurant choices around the area of fisherman's wharf- and I cannot think of any of them that would not accomodate a child.
Have fun!!
Lots of things to do in SF- we had a great time!

This "street person" has to finish the job

The Slanted Door at the Ferry Building might be good. It seemed pretty informal to me, and the foodies like it.

My personal favorites are Ti Couz, a French café in the Mission with tables for people watching, La Mediterranee,
http://www.lamediterranee.net/ The Butler and the Chef, but that's because I frequent those neighborhoods. They are good and very casual. (Also, I'm a vegetarian, so those places work for me.) Greens is another possibility.

I probably wouldn't bother with Michael Mina or Gary Danko, because the pacing of the meal might be too drawn out for your little one.

I often check out opentable.com when I travel. I can make tentative reservations, check reviews, see pictures of the restaurants and menus, and assess whether the atmosphere is what I'm in the mood for.

I also think you'll be OK at most places at lunch time. The only problem I can think of is if your baby is a screamer. It used to seem like the one time we got a babysitter for a nice dinner we'd end up with a screamer baby at the next table. We didn't really mind, though.

San Francisco has fun neighborhoods for strolling with a baby: Noe Valley, North Beach, the Castro and more. They all have good neighborhood restaurants. The Mission has a couple of good tapas restaurants.

A way to find out if the restaurants you wish to go to mw is suitable for little ones is to call them and ask if they provide a highchair which I would think that your 11 month old would need. Best regards and have a fun time!

Thanks, everyone!

No particular cuisine in mind. We love it all. Just don't want to end up at some chain or tourist trap. Neighborhood restaurants favored by locals always seem to be the best. (not even considering places like Gary Danko for this trip - we'll have to return alone for that. our daughter would ruin everyone else's experience there!)

Funny about San Fran, San Francisco and The City. I'll make sure not to offend any locals. Don't know if I can bring myself to call it The City though.

Almost 100% of my friends & associates call it "The City".

Stu Dudley

"Don't know if I can bring myself to call it The City though." - don't worry, you will! Everybody falls in love with it!

Welcome back, Stu, I am surprised Fodor's sent you an e-mail.

>> I am surprised Fodor's sent you an e-mail. <<

I wasn't holding my breath - they didn't send me one.

I logged on today, and all the problems I was having the past 2 weeks seem to have been fixed - at least for now.

Stu Dudley