San Francisco and Big Sur - Calling all "locals!"
 

I lived in San Francisco in the late '80s for several years and have visited since, most recently in 1998. Time flies! I will be travelling to San Francisco in mid-April for 3 nights, and then heading down to Esalen Institute in Big Sur for a professional conference. My own business will be footing the bill, so I am not concerned about cost. I feel that I still know my way around pretty well, I am familiar with all of the sights and enduring good restaurants; however, I have questions in three areas:

1. San Francisco: Is the Four Seasons really worth the splurge? If not, what is, in your opinion? While cost is not an issue, I don't want to feel taken advantage of. True value is possible in any price range.

2. Three nights in San Francisco. New and interesting restaurants? I like everything, from Thai to French to Seafood to "California Cuisine." I have been to many of the old standbys- Fringale, Boulevard, Aqua, Greens, that great Burmese place that used to be out on California, Chez Panisse, Plearn, etc.. What is relatively new and good (expensive or not)?

3. Big Sur: I may not stay at Esalen itself. Is this a mistake? I have never been to the facility, but I have stayed at Ventana a number of times. Is Post Ranch Inn worth it? Any other thoughts?

Great Peruvian restaurant in the Mission district. I just ate there a couple of weeks ago.
http://www.limon-sf.com/
You can make reservations online--and need to. It's very popular and not very big.

My favorite hotel in San Francisco is the Ritz if cost is not an issue. Some restaurants to consider include: Slanted Door, Gary Danko, Michael Mina, Fifth Floor, and Betelnut. Slanted Door will require a reservation as will the others at peak times. Moderate prices and good wine list for Vietnamese food with California materials. In the Ferry bldg. Betelnut is in the Marina area with a menu of street food from southeast asia.
moderate prices. Gary Danko and Michael Mina are quite expensive with food which I would describe as sorta California.
Have never stayed at Esalen so cannot help you there.

Friends who usually stay at the Ritz or Fairmont swear by the Huntington Hotel in SF..

huntingtonhotel.com

www.huntingtonhotel.com

The Post Ranch Inn is sublime and on one of the most beautiful and powerful pieces of property in the world. It is totally unique.

Don't go expecting the Ritz or the Four Seasons. We call it "opulent zen".

-Bill

Bill..
Thank you so much for posting about the
Post Ranch Inn..
Stunning!

Other restaurants to try in SF: Nopa, Perbacco, Town Hall, Limon, Incanto, Delphina, Quince, Gary Danko, A16, Canteen, Bar Crudo, Range.

I love Quince!(in SF).

SAB's list is just about perfect.

Of the newest restaurants, I like Range - I just think the food is really well thought out. I don't know if they still have their coffee-braised pork shoulder on the menu, but it was an example of their best dishes.

If you are staying at a Union Square hotel, Bar Crudo would be a good dinner choice - it's on Bush Street right over the Stockton Street tunnel. You'll find it by locating the funky "Tunnel Top" bar right next door. The chowder at Crudo is nothing less than the best of the day's catch simmered in cream, so it changes a bit each time but is always perfect. Their oyster selection is always superb too.

If you want to make a little trek out towards 29th and Mission, make a reservation for The Blue Plate. If it's a warm evening, ask for a garden seating. I love the food here - right now they have hush-puppy style crab fritters because Dungeness is in season. Whatever is in bloom when you are here will be on the menu

There is a new mecca for ice cream lovers, if that's your fancy. Check out the new Bi-Rite Creamery on 18th and Guererro, across the street from Tartine Bakery. The salted caramel and ginger flavors are getting rave reviews. You could have a sandwich at Tartine with a glass of wine, then toddle across the street for dessert!

dovima--my new favorite is Perbacco, I love the house made salume and I have yet to have a less than lovely dish there. I love Range also but since it got its star it has been a little harder to go on the spur of the moment.

I'm really thrilled with all of your advice, and am always interested when several people repeat the same suggestions. Thank you, all, for your input. (And I'll take more...)

some restaurant suggestions:

If you like home-style japanese, try Minako in the Mission. It's small, and you have to get there early for a table, but the food is delicious. Just don't go expecting a quick dinner. Everything is made to order.

I recently tried Luella atop Russian Hill, and I had a lovely experience. Pizzas, small plates, salads, good wine.

I also really enjoy the Richmond Restaurant and Wine Bar out on Balboa. This is a place I've gone on several dates to (with the same guy) and I've taken my parents there, too. Everyone's loved the attentive service (John, the chef and owner, may even visit you to chat for awhile during the meal) and quality indgredients.

Saha, which is on Sutter close to Van Ness, serves wonderful Middle Eastern food, and Aziza out on Geary offers some of the best Moroccan I've ever had. I also enjoy the ambiance and service at Kokkari.

I just tried Poleng Lounge on Fulton and Masonic last week, and we had a great dinner. Small and busy--reserve, reserve, reserve. Turns into a club after dinner service, though we didn't stay for that. The menu is Asian "street food" inspired. The chef used to cook at the Fifth Floor in the Palomar Hotel.

Inexpensive and unique.

Leely- I went to Poleng about 3 weeks ago, but I had a totally different experience than you. As I live just a few blocks from Poleng, I figured it was time to check it out. I found the food to overly fried (very oily) with little flavor, and our server to be curt. Poleng seems to be hit or miss, I think, but I'm glad that you enjoyed it!

rubies,
Hmm, now I don't know whether to go back and try it again as a test or live with one happy dining memory. :?

Dang, I think I'm going to have to go back.

Just back from a great trip. Stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, Club Level - outstanding experience.

Restaurants, all of which I would return to: Slanted Door, Perbacco, Suriya (Thai out on Mission), Quince.

Thanks, everyone, for your great advice!

Thanks for reporting back!