We have several reservations at the more expensive restaurants, (Masa, Aqua, Charles Nob Hill) looking for recommendations for a lighter, less expense dinner. Staying near Union Square - will be walking or Taxi. Love good food (who doesn't). thanks.

Absolute must...there are a group of restuarants on Belden Place in the financial district (very close to Union Square). Belden Place is an alleyway closed off to automotive traffic. The restaurants use the alley for outdoor seating (indoor seating is also available). Each cafe specializes in Spanish, French, Italian and Middle Eastern. They advertise Belden Place as San Francisco's European quarters. I have eaten at B44 (Spanish) and Cafe Bastille (French) and they were both wonderful. Friends rave about Plouf (French, too)...that is the next one I will try. All the restaurants are moderately priced ($$-$$$). Oh, and for breakfast, a must is Dottie's True Blue Cafe on Jones St (get there early--there are long lines after 9:30).

Here's another recommendation for Belden Place - our favorite spot there is Plouf.

Check out Cafe de la Presse just off Union Square.

Stinking Rose! (If you like Italian food)

Are the Belden place restaurants open on weekends too?

Just returned from a long weekend in SF. Had a wonderful dinner Saturday night at Plouf's. Wouldn't necessarily call is "less expensive." One cocktail, 2 glasses of wine, 1 soup, 2 entrees, tax/tip $95.00. Closed on Sunday. Make reservation well in advance. This is a popular place. We lucked out and got a table for 2 as a walk-in.

Had dinner Sunday night at the Stinking Rose. You gotta love garlic to eat here. A varied menu, but not necessarily less expensive either. We loved the place -- make reservations -- it was packed.

Chinatown is pretty reasonable for "less expensive." There are so many restaurants there. You could just menu shop as you walk around town.

Here's another vote for checking out Chinatown. When it comes to bargain dining in San Francisco, it would be very difficult to beat the consistently great deals that you'll find there.

In the North Beach area, try the Gold Spike for a real Italian 'home cooking' type place with lots of local character.

Another vote for Chinatown. Dim Sum is a very tasty, inexpensive meal.

B'man...I THOUGHT I smelled garlic this morning! :-?

US Restaurant in NoBeach on Columbus.
O'Reilly's on Green. Kuletos on Powell.
For a kick, Lefty O'Douls hof brau?

Kal

On the aforementioned Belden Place, try Tiramisu. Italian/continental, good wine list, and of course the namesake dessert can't be missed.
How about going out of the downtown and central S.F. area for a meal? Take a cab over to Portrero Hill to Chez Papa - I think they are owned by the same partners as Plouf. It's French, casual, very lively and in an interesting neighborhood. Be sure to make a reservation.

Osteria Del Forno in North Beach
Blue Plate in the Mission
Park Chow or Chow (The Richmond/Sunset & The Castro)
Plouf(which is wonderful and will be less by far than then Masa's etc)

Kal, the smell was wonderful, mixed with a little Zin.

PamSF - SF & Healdsburg was GREAT!! Brought back a variety of Pinot's, including Sapphine Hill and others from the Russian River Valley. I thought the best Zin was from Pezzi King.

Check out 2 great web sites on this topic:
www.fudcourt.com
www.chowhound.com

Budman~Glad you liked it all! I'm heading north to Healdsburg in June and will look for some Pezzi King Zin for the tasting. Let me know how you like the Sapphire Hill.I had a fond Jersey moment yesterday thinking of the shore and the start of summer!

PamSF - Saving the Sapphine Hill in my wine cellar for a special occasion.

Didn't miss anything at the Jersey Shore -- it rained all weekend. Worst Memorial Day weekend in over 20 years. We had great weather in SF.

Had dinner a couple of weeks ago in Westfield (first time there). What a lovely town.

My first time back in SF in over 18 years. Love the place!!!

Question... How much does a less expensive dinner cost? Are we talking dinner for two for under 50 dollars. OR are we talking dinner for two for under 100 dollars. This would be a big help in allowing us to figure out where to eat. For some it is a big difference.

The House of Nanking on Kearney in S.F. is very recommendable. It was suggested as one of the best and cheapest Chinese restaurants and we agree. We're returning to the city next month and plan to go back there, too. There's often a line outside on the sidewalk. No one goes there for the ambience. The food is interesting and delicious. We did what was recommended in a guidebook and let the waitress decide on the dish, after telling her what kind of food we were seeking.

dovima, are you serious in recommending "tiramisu" @Belden? I had a business lunch there - microscopic overpriced portions and the worst Tiramisu I've ever had, it was so bitter and lousy made I still remember it!