We were in San Francisco for a wedding at Stearn's Grove yesterday, it was gorgeous there! We really enjoyed our brunch at The Grand Cafe @ the Hotel Monaco. There were 9 people in our group and everyone loved what they ordered. Quiche, Artichoke Appetizers, French Onion Soup, Salads, Hamburgers (Kobe Beef) French Toast and Eggs Benedict were some of the items ordered. It's a gorgeous room and our service was excellent. I hope you enjoy your time this wonderful city! ***kim***

Did I miss something, did someone ask for a brunch recommendation?

Whoa! SAB, was that a flashback to your days as jr. high hall monitor? kimamom, are you out of your class without a pass?

Never went to junior high!!!!

LOL..
Anyone remember Adolph's in North Beach?
Damn, they made a killer caesar and classic Northern Italian dishes..
Ferry Building might do the job..
Don't you hate when your the food lovers and you have to spend most of your eating and drinking in SF with people who just don't get it..I feel for you beachkomer!!
$25-$35 is not very realistic but you could take them to Lefty's in Union Square and you could leave them there while you dine at Boulevard, Gary Danko's, Slanted Door and finish it up with Irish Coffee's at Buena Vista..
Tadich Grill for a bowl of chowder and some oysters and listen to Fritz talk about his dog 'snitzel'..
Maybe Scoma's or Kuleto?

Rocco's Cafe. Featured on DD&D. Great little spot very good prices. The Chef Don Dial makes the best pasta dishes and home made polenta.

If you want to be safe and do a "local" beef, try

House of Prime Rib on Van Ness

http://houseofprimerib.ypguides.net/

or

Ruth's Chris Steak House, also on Van Ness

http://www.ruthschris.com/Steak-Hous...an%20Francisco

Ruth's Chris has a more varied menu.

What do you mean by "Chinese"? or better yet, what kind of "Chinese" are you used to eating?

Perbacco. My boyfriend is a foodie and I am not. He had duck or quail or some such thing and I had "boring pasta." The wine was incredible and the cheese plate for dessert was a wonderful surprise... We were both happy.

It is not pretentious at all, the service is wonderful, the food is excellent and their will be nothing for them "not to like!"

I would second the restaurant A16. I had a great meal there in July and agree with MomDD that the mozzarella burata was fantastic there.

I also had a meal at SPQR which is a sister restaurant to A16 and it was great too!

www.beldenplace.com is an alleyway of restaurants in the financial district. it's a great place with a number of excellent choices.

oops sorry there's a dash in the address www.belden-place.com

Thanks for all of the recommendations! I will definately write down these recommendations! $25ish was for the entree. (not whole meal)

As to "Chinese and local: not too toursity," I'd stay out of Chinatown and head out to the Richmond District. My personal favorite is Ton Kiang, known for its Dim Sum, but I primarily go there for their full plates (dinner time). Although they don't have Chop Suey or Egg Fu Yung, they have a fair amount of "safe" dishes for the less adventurous, as well as a wide variety of authentic Hakka cuisine.

There's no shortage of chinese restaurants in San Francisco, of course, so I'm sure you can get other recommendations.

I should have reversed that statement (they have a wide variety of authentic Hakka cuisine, as well as a fair amount of "safe" dishes for your brother-in-law and his wife). Don't want to give the impression that the restaurant caters to unadventurous eaters, as it has something for everyone.

Try Slanted Door at the Ferry Building at the foot of market. But make a res if you go for dinner. Outstanding seafood and veggies, along with creative drinks.

Beach: As a native San Franciscan and a foodie, my easy answer is to get some new traveling companions. Part of the enjoyment of a food-centric town like SF is to try as many things as you can in as short a period as there is available. But then, sometimes blood is thicker than water and they may have other virtues. SF has lots of restaurants with a bit of history or some other diversion that your friends might find interesting. Here are some suggestions to suit everyone: Fog City Diner--something for everyone with a updated twists. Small plates are easy on the wallet. Instead of Tadich's, go to Sam's on Bush St.; similar seafood dishes without the hustle and bustle. Belden Alley is a good choice, especially Tiramisu or Cafe Bastille, Italian and French, respectively. Rose Pistola's in North Beach can be pricy, but good. Also, in North Beach, you might want to try the pizzas at Tomasso's; woodburning oven dates back to the 30's or Tony's Pizza Napolitana where Tony is a nine-time world champion pizza tosser. For Chinese, its a litle more tricky because of some exotic dishes, but the R&G Lounge on Kearny, Yank Sing (several locations) or Heaven's Dog (Stlanted Door's new place) might be good. Good luck.

Just would like to note that Slanted Door is Vietnamese and Heaven's Dog is more a bar with Asian Fusian cuisine, definitely not a destination for the food only which is more expensive than what you could get at an average food restaurant.

thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm starting to get...that feeling when you have too many options! ha.
It's a good problem!

Well, went to Perbacco tonight!

The reading of the menu went over like a lead balloon...
the waitress explained the dishes and I did as well. I didn't
think it was going to be a success....

they ordered an app (rock shrimp dish) and the monk fish to share. We ordered the short ribs, the pasta with the pork, rock shrimp, salad, brussel sprouts.

The meal was a big hit! Sister in law even had the waitress bring her out what my dh was eating!

woo hoo! I was soo nervous! But it was fine!

Thanks everyone!

Glad you enjoyed it - and next time they'll know they can be a little more adventurous!