Johnnyman7

Hey everybody,
Two quick questions:
1) How long should we set aside to see Alcatraz? I've been there before, but I forgot.

2) I havent been to SF in awhile, and I'm looking for one GREAT restaurant to take my fiance in the city or near the city (like, Berkeley or Oakland would be okay). Money is no object...we are foodies so food means more than decor. Any recommendations?

tchoiniere

Probably 4-5 hours including the boat rides. Depending on how quick you want to tour.

NeoPatrick

I would think Gary Danko would be pretty much at the top of the list for a couple of foodies.

And not THAT expensive or necessarily THE place to go for a special meal, but I'd try to hit Slanted Door -- maybe even for lunch. I think it's a foodie's dream.

dmlove

I'd try to hit Slanted Door -- maybe even for lunch. I think it's a foodie's dream.

Especially if you're there on a Saturday in nice weather -- spend the morning wandering around the Ferry Building and fantastic farmers' market, then have lunch at Slanted Door (in the Ferry Building). Great way to spend a Saturday!

Michael

Chez Panisse?

NWWanderer

About 3-4 hours for Alcatraz with the boat ride.

Another vote for Gary Danko. Slanted Door is also very good but Gary Danko is amazing.

jtrandolph

There are enough foodie restaurants in San Fraancisco to keep you busy. Don't bother the hassle of going across the bay, even for Chez Panisse.

(But, I might do her for lunch.)

txtree

I also have to recommend Gary Danko. I had one of the best dinners of my life there last year (and I live in NYC and have sampled this city's finest too). The wine list is really special - lots of small local producers that you won't find outside of CA. The sommelier was excellent.

Agree that Slanted Door is fun for lunch. Sample some oysters from the Hog Island stall in the market on your way to lunch.

v_gal

I couldn't agree more with the suggestion of lunch at Chez Panisse. It is a truly memorable experience- food, wine, service all exceeded our expectations, which were pretty high to begin with. Have a wonderful time, wherever you decide to go!

Stella2

2 recommendations

-"Aqua" has been rated top seafood restaurant in the city, and i've had two very memorable meals there. great food and lovely attention to detail.

- "Bix" not very well known, and apparently the owner tries to keep it a secret, but ask your concierge, i had an outstanding meal there once and the menu is so tantilizing, it makes it impossible to choose!

enjoy! such a great city for restaurants!

Kailani

Another choice for foodies would be Michael Mina.

DebitNM

We are going to San Francisco next week [yeah!] We are foodies and since we live in a less than perfect foodie area, restaurants are us!

Here's where we are eating:

Zuni Cafe, Aqua, A16, Tadish Grill. After Alcatraz [we are taking night tour] we are eating at Bistro Boudin since it will be late and want to eat close to pier.

PS - Make reservations for Alcatraz well in advance.

Deb

Kailani

You can use opentable.com for restaurant reservations, to sort restaurants by neighborhoods, and links to menus and reviews.

Michael

Just spent an evening (3 1/2 hours) at Coi on Broadway, just east of the Centerfold Club. Not the greatest location, but once inside, the street scene is forgotten. It is a set menu of 11 courses at $115 per person with 18% service charge added automatically to the bill. Wine pairing adds another $95 per person. We were four, with one wine pairing (which included two beers, sake and no red wine), one half bottle of wine and two glasses of wine. The total was $800. The food is exceptional, the service great and not fussy--we asked where the "wild" nettles came from and from then on, every green was "wild" from Bolinas. It's definitely worth the expense. Frank Bruni, food critic of the NY Times just declared one of the ten best new restaurants in the U.S.

Michael

My last sentence should should be corrected thus: "just declared Coi one of the ten best new restaurants in the U.S."