We are leaving for San Francisco on Saturday from Chicago. We are staying at the Prescott Hotel. We will have 3 dinners in San Francisco. We are mostly interested in Seafood or Italian but open to other suggestions. Some place nice but not overly expensive (around $100/couple with wine). A few places that were suggested to us that sound nice are: First Crush, Trattoria Contadina, Venticello, Yabbie's Coast Kitchen, Hayes Street Seafood. I haven't found too many recent posts on these and wondering what others think. I also tried to get a reservation at Slanted Door but no luck.

We have recently eaten twice at a small, casual restaurant called Pesce, that specializes in Venetian style seafood, i.e., small plates like Spanish tapas. The food is fabulous!

Pesce
2227 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94109-1815
Cross Street: Vallejo Street
Phone: (415) 928-8025

Here's a link to a review, map, etc.
http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/11578238

Trattoria Contadina is one of our favorites. Other good Italian is Delfina in the Mission. You should call now to get reservations if this interests you. You have to make reservations for Friday and Sat nights at least a week in advance, but maybe there will be cancellations.

Another popular Italian place is Antica Trattoria, which is on the same block as Yabbie's Coastal Kitchen.

I've recommended Antica several times on this board, if you want to do a search. Very nice place. I also liked Yabbies, although I have not been there for a couple of years. Their oyster bar is famous for its variety. Although this time of year is not the best for oysters, they have enough connections to cold-water suppliers to be well-stocked even in the R-less months. The crab cakes, if memory serves me right, were superb.

Whenever I go to SF, I always am sure to have dinner at The Brazen Head. It truly is a well-kept secret. There is no sign, they don't accept credit cards (bring cash!), it is small and intimate, and my entree's have always been fantastic. Here is a website where you can check out their menu link (they also note prices).

http://www.themenupage.com/brazenhead.html

3166 Buchanan at Greenwich
415-921-7600
(Marina/Cow Hollow area)

Is there a Hayes Street Seafood and a Hyde Street Seafood?? I think the suggestion I got was for Hyde Street but then I saw Hayes on Zagat and thought it was the same place. Thanks and keep the suggestions coming!

There is a Hayes Street Grill which is well known for it's seafood and Hyde Street Seafood House. Of course I don't know which one was recommended to you but I can highly recommend the Hayes Street Grill. BTW since Slanted Door moved to it's new location it has lost some of it's luster or it could be that we San Franciscans get a little jaded over time.

I heard the old Compass Rose Room in the St Francis was reopened by Michael Mina.

Don't know the $$$ yet? Anyone???

Also heard there's a new Caen in town!!!!

Who? Laurel Wellman, as in the original Dog Bites?

no_no cher_cher,

Christopher Caen, Herbie's son is in the X now.

Wow Whee! Really??? Kal!!

Another Caen!!

Loved Herb Caen - the one and only - and his writing about Baghdad by the Bay (in those days, Baghdad meant something totally different!).

Is this Caen writing for the Chronicle?

Great news!

e'trav,
www.examiner.com/
Under columns.

Long live "...".

I would recommend Plouf for seafood, although seafood on Atlantic coast is till better IMO. We got lucky w/o a reservation and were seated outside on a weekend night. Dinner for two with wine and tip was right at $100.

Plouf
40 Belden Pl. (Bush St.)
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-986-6491

Here's an excerpt:

A business favourite, Ploufs quaint location and sociable atmosphere remind one of a busy Paris bistro. Set in a small out-of-the-way lane in the Financial District, it also has sidewalk seating. It is known for its classic French seafood specialities, such as the bourride, a Provenal fish-and-shellfish soup, sauted prawns with citrus beurre blanc, sauted scallops with a potato gratin and a rum vanilla sauce, and peppered Ahi tuna with a shallot red-wine sauce. The filet mignon is also a sound and popular choice. Reservations are recommended. Closed Sunday. No lunch Saturday.

Try Slanted Door for lunch. They open at 11:30 AM and you should have no trouble getting in. Afterwards, you can enjoy a walk around the beautiful Embarcadero area.

If you like crepes, try Ti-Couz. It is one of our favoriite places to eat in the city. It is a lively and fun place. Very popular and busy.

Some of the best food I have ever eaten was at Slanted Door and Aqua

another popular asian is beetlenut in pacific heights - trendy

i don't want to beat a dead horse, but we will be in SF for 3 days and plan to eat at Boulevard, betel nut, and hayes street grill, and mustard's in napa? what do you guys this about this selection. i too was uable to secure reservations at slanted door as we have a party of 6.