LoveItaly-San Fran questions
Jan 30th, 2005, 04:28 PM
#21
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Stu, just read your post about the City Guide Tours. How interesting that your wife is a guide. I have heard so often that these tours are so enjoyed and people are amazed that they are free. Sometimes SF still knows how to do things right.
And one of Stu's comments reminded me of something I intended to mention girlonthe go - or any of you.
If you walk to the Ferry Building (or back from it of course) on Market St., do take a moment to check out the Sheraton Palace Hotel. It is beautiful. The restaurant (ground floor, walk straight back) was once the carriage house. It is fantastic. I will let you discover the beauty on your own without going into details.
BTW, this is where Enrico Caruso was staying when the 1906 earthquake hit. He fled SF to never return.
And one of Stu's comments reminded me of something I intended to mention girlonthe go - or any of you.
If you walk to the Ferry Building (or back from it of course) on Market St., do take a moment to check out the Sheraton Palace Hotel. It is beautiful. The restaurant (ground floor, walk straight back) was once the carriage house. It is fantastic. I will let you discover the beauty on your own without going into details.
BTW, this is where Enrico Caruso was staying when the 1906 earthquake hit. He fled SF to never return.
Jan 30th, 2005, 04:57 PM
#22
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One thing that I just thought of that I did not comminicate.
The MonaLisa is a casual restaurant. You can see the chef(s) cooking etc. If one wants a more upscale experience, say for dinner The North Beach Restaurant (just up the block) is more sophisticated (but not stuffy) and a good place to go to also. An old SF institution. In fact downstairs, off to the right is a room from where they then reached the underground tunnels in the days of the bootleggers.
The MonaLisa is a casual restaurant. You can see the chef(s) cooking etc. If one wants a more upscale experience, say for dinner The North Beach Restaurant (just up the block) is more sophisticated (but not stuffy) and a good place to go to also. An old SF institution. In fact downstairs, off to the right is a room from where they then reached the underground tunnels in the days of the bootleggers.
Jan 30th, 2005, 08:30 PM
#25
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Hi girlonthego, I just saw your late afternoon posting. After I posted I went and did some errands and then when I came back somehow missed your post.
Taking the taxi from SFO is IMHO what I would do. I wanted to strongly suggest this but always hesitate to come on to strong about one should do. I think you have made a good decision.
Since you you use to be in NY you know what I mean about the homeless.
And BTW, many people have commented if NYC can clean up the problem of homeless why can't SF.
Now about the homeless area. Powell St. from Market St (where the BART station is). Geary St. and Post St. going west from Powell St. Market St. going west from the BART station going west to VanNess St. Around City Hall.
Market St. going east down Market St. (to the Ferry Bldg and the ferry station to Sausalito is not as bad, easy to ignore). NobHill where you are staying is fine.
NorthBeach, a few but nothing like Powell St.
Fishermens Wharf, not really a problem.
Since you worked in NY you will know if you turn a corner and walk down a block that the "atmosphere" has changed.
BTW, from Union Sq. going east on Post St. you will find wonderful European stores, if nothing else fun window shopping. Or take Maiden Lane, going east (it runs into Stockton St) and wander down that. Turn left and go up Grant, the entrance to ChinaTown, with the gate and lions.
Taking the taxi from SFO to your hotel, and going where you are interested in visiting, really the homeless will not be a big problem. Honest.
Taking the taxi from SFO is IMHO what I would do. I wanted to strongly suggest this but always hesitate to come on to strong about one should do. I think you have made a good decision.
Since you you use to be in NY you know what I mean about the homeless.
And BTW, many people have commented if NYC can clean up the problem of homeless why can't SF.
Now about the homeless area. Powell St. from Market St (where the BART station is). Geary St. and Post St. going west from Powell St. Market St. going west from the BART station going west to VanNess St. Around City Hall.
Market St. going east down Market St. (to the Ferry Bldg and the ferry station to Sausalito is not as bad, easy to ignore). NobHill where you are staying is fine.
NorthBeach, a few but nothing like Powell St.
Fishermens Wharf, not really a problem.
Since you worked in NY you will know if you turn a corner and walk down a block that the "atmosphere" has changed.
BTW, from Union Sq. going east on Post St. you will find wonderful European stores, if nothing else fun window shopping. Or take Maiden Lane, going east (it runs into Stockton St) and wander down that. Turn left and go up Grant, the entrance to ChinaTown, with the gate and lions.
Taking the taxi from SFO to your hotel, and going where you are interested in visiting, really the homeless will not be a big problem. Honest.
Jan 30th, 2005, 08:30 PM
#26
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Girlonthego-you'd be really remiss if you didn't go for dim sum at Yang Sing's-one of the best places for Chinese dim sum in SF, located on Spear Street, near Embarcadero Center; also good is the Mayflower is good -on Geary.
As far as sushi boat restaurants, there's also one right in the heart of Chinatown that I like-on Grant Ave-the main drag.
Speaking as the Asiaphile I am, you should really have some fun exploring the myriad shops and sights of Chinatown-there is a lot of good shopping here to be had if you look around, including for pearls and jade, -better, in some instances, than what I found in Hong Kong! Since you're staying on Nob Hill, you'll be quite close. Make sure and do some bargaining with them on jewelery (yes they do bargain there!). You'll have a lot of fun doing so.
You might also like to try Francis Ford Coppola's Cafe Niebaum-Coppola on Kearny Street, right at the foot of Telegraph Hill, and at the beginning of North Beach-one block from the Holiday Inn Chinatown-his wines of course are great, but you can sit outside at the cafe tables, and people-watch, or have lunch or dinner-the food is simple, rustic mostly southern Italian specialities, (not surprisingly)but quite good.
Oh, and if you're lucky, the great director himself sometimes shows up, and sits outside at his own cafe tables to talk to his diners!
As far as sushi boat restaurants, there's also one right in the heart of Chinatown that I like-on Grant Ave-the main drag.
Speaking as the Asiaphile I am, you should really have some fun exploring the myriad shops and sights of Chinatown-there is a lot of good shopping here to be had if you look around, including for pearls and jade, -better, in some instances, than what I found in Hong Kong! Since you're staying on Nob Hill, you'll be quite close. Make sure and do some bargaining with them on jewelery (yes they do bargain there!). You'll have a lot of fun doing so.
You might also like to try Francis Ford Coppola's Cafe Niebaum-Coppola on Kearny Street, right at the foot of Telegraph Hill, and at the beginning of North Beach-one block from the Holiday Inn Chinatown-his wines of course are great, but you can sit outside at the cafe tables, and people-watch, or have lunch or dinner-the food is simple, rustic mostly southern Italian specialities, (not surprisingly)but quite good.
Oh, and if you're lucky, the great director himself sometimes shows up, and sits outside at his own cafe tables to talk to his diners!
Jan 30th, 2005, 08:45 PM
#27
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Ok, that is great, Spygirl has given you some good recommendations regarding Dim Sum. I was hoping someone would. Plus another good place to go to in North Beach. I too wish you had more then five days. But a good reason to come back again! Because there are museums and GoldenGatePark, Stow Lake, The Conservatory of Flowers, Chrissy Field, etc.
Kate2, thank you for your very kind comments. I do love SF (even though I have grumbled as of late about some of the problems) and always enjoys sharing SF with visitors.
My typing problem is that I never really did any until I got a computer in 1998. My secretaries always did all the typing. So I sort of stumble around on the keyboard. So sometimes after I post I think "oh no!" LOL.
Biordi's, is not that a fun store to wander through.? And the Grand Cafe is wonderful too. To many places to check out in SF. One could take a year. Now I am in the mood to go back, homeless problem or not!
And Kate, than
Kate2, thank you for your very kind comments. I do love SF (even though I have grumbled as of late about some of the problems) and always enjoys sharing SF with visitors.
My typing problem is that I never really did any until I got a computer in 1998. My secretaries always did all the typing. So I sort of stumble around on the keyboard. So sometimes after I post I think "oh no!" LOL.
Biordi's, is not that a fun store to wander through.? And the Grand Cafe is wonderful too. To many places to check out in SF. One could take a year. Now I am in the mood to go back, homeless problem or not!
And Kate, than
Jan 31st, 2005, 04:13 AM
#29
WOW!!! I have woken up to a ton of posts with the most valuable information!!!!Thank you all of you especially LoveItaly!!!I am going to get out a map and start plotting my adventures and my dinners. I will definitely go to Mona Lisa and try the Yank Sing. I will go to Japantown and down by the wharf. We will shop Chinatown and sail to Alcatraz and Sausalito! I need a month! Where is that european lady whose posting looking for month long accomodations? Maybe she wouldn't mind four more people staying with her???LOL.
I am printing this as I type and I am looking forward to planning my trip(this is almost more fun than going!) I will post with more questions as I think of them.
Thanks again so much. Linda
I am printing this as I type and I am looking forward to planning my trip(this is almost more fun than going!) I will post with more questions as I think of them.
Thanks again so much. Linda
Jan 31st, 2005, 07:30 AM
#30
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girlonthego: You've gotten great advice and suggestions here! Here are a few more tidbits:
The best dim sum place for round-eyed visitors is Yank Sing, although it is not really in Chinatown, but a few blocks away.
The best dim sum place for almond-eyed visitors is the Harbor Village in the Embarcadero.
Mayflower is good too, but it's too far out on Geary.
If you find yourself in SF Chinatown, try the New Asia Garden or Miriwa for dim sum. Both are on Pacific right off of Grant.
Gold Mountain on Broadway is OK, IMHO, not as good as the others.
Whatever you do, don't go to Yuet Lee Seafood Restaurant, also on Broadway. It is a hole in the wall recommended by "greats" such as Charlie Trotter and Emerile Lagasse. Positively the worst food you could get. No decor, dirty. Every time I see it recommended, I go and every time, that restaurant disappoints. Once I ordered a fish cooked in black bean sauce and the beans were hard as rock. That's about as exciting as eating raw flour.
Round about Union Square, your girls might enjoy the nautical-themed Farallon restaurant.
The big kid in your family (your husband) might enjoy going to the Metreon, filled with Sony TVs and other gadgetry.
The Hyatt in the Embarcadero has a rotating restaurant at the top, if you like that sort of thing. On a clear night, it's fun to rotate around and get a view of this great city.
Enjoy California!
The best dim sum place for round-eyed visitors is Yank Sing, although it is not really in Chinatown, but a few blocks away.
The best dim sum place for almond-eyed visitors is the Harbor Village in the Embarcadero.
Mayflower is good too, but it's too far out on Geary.
If you find yourself in SF Chinatown, try the New Asia Garden or Miriwa for dim sum. Both are on Pacific right off of Grant.
Gold Mountain on Broadway is OK, IMHO, not as good as the others.
Whatever you do, don't go to Yuet Lee Seafood Restaurant, also on Broadway. It is a hole in the wall recommended by "greats" such as Charlie Trotter and Emerile Lagasse. Positively the worst food you could get. No decor, dirty. Every time I see it recommended, I go and every time, that restaurant disappoints. Once I ordered a fish cooked in black bean sauce and the beans were hard as rock. That's about as exciting as eating raw flour.
Round about Union Square, your girls might enjoy the nautical-themed Farallon restaurant.
The big kid in your family (your husband) might enjoy going to the Metreon, filled with Sony TVs and other gadgetry.
The Hyatt in the Embarcadero has a rotating restaurant at the top, if you like that sort of thing. On a clear night, it's fun to rotate around and get a view of this great city.
Enjoy California!
Jan 31st, 2005, 07:59 AM
#31
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Nobody mentioned the Musee Mechanique at the Wharf. It's the only reason I would go to the wharf, except to take a boat or cable car OUT of the wharf (except the Buena Vista).
The musee is a collection of fun zone games & moving displays prior the electronic age. It's free, but take lots of quarters to pop into the game slots.
Stu Dudley
The musee is a collection of fun zone games & moving displays prior the electronic age. It's free, but take lots of quarters to pop into the game slots.
Stu Dudley
Jan 31st, 2005, 08:20 AM
#32
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We had wonderful dim sum at New Asia in Chinatown. The family also very much enjoyed one meal at Fog City Diner; cool experience and one of our favorite meals. Had my birthday dinner at Kuleto, and thought it was very good. We did not care for Rose Pistola. We all loved ice cream treats at Ghiradella Chocolates after returning from Alcatraz. Be sure to get the head set narrated tour!
