gina

It's that time of year again - I'm back on Fodor's looking for a great place to take my cool little sister to a birthday dinner in San Francisco.

Last year we really enjoyed dinner at Lulu's. She also loves Ios Wine Bar, the Flying Saucer, and Foreign Cinema. We're seeking nice wine, funky-but-cozy ambiance, and prices not-so-expensive it'll make her uncomfortable I'm paying. No seafood.

I forget the name of the place next to Lulu's, but I know she wanted to go there... any other recommendations?

Quick responses appreciated - I procrastinated and I'm leaving Chicago in three hours! Thanks!

Olle

Julie's supper club...funky but good food.

Mecca -- okay food, but funky.

beetlenut -- asian food.

Check out SFstation.com they have a comprehensive listing of good resturants.

Good luck.

Susan

Yikes, you are in a hurry! I'd suggest either Delfina or the Slanted Door, both in the Mission. Delfina has been consistently rated as one of the best restaurants in the city but it is not terribly expensive and doesn't have a snooty attitude. It's northern Italian fare and all the food is awesome. The service will make your sister feel special.

The Slanted Door is Vietnamese cuisine, but don't let that scare you away. There's something for everyone on the menu and it's in a great funky part of town. A very "in" place to dine so you should get on the horn and make reservations soon.

You can check out reviews of both places at either sfgate.com or citysearch.com. Have fun!

olle [again]

oh, and I had a great time at a nice/funky italian place in North Beach called "Macaroni's" great food and friendly staff...actually I went there for a birthday party.

olle

slanted door...americanized vietnamese food that's overpriced....I don't reccomend that. but to each their own [i live right near there]

mecca isn't that good either, now that I think of it...

gina

Wow - that is fast response! We've been to both Beetlenut and Slanted Door (in fact I think that's the one I was thinking of when I said Flying Saucer). But we really did like both of those, particularly the Slanted Door. Trying to stay away from Italian (since both of us are, and we make so much of it at home). Any other suggestions? I will do a search myself, too...

barbara

How about the Slow Club or, if you can swing a few more $, 42 Degrees. Both hip and with very good food!

kam

Slanted Door is nice. Absinthe has a really neat bar area where you can get all kinds of cocktails and eat also--very popular with 20 somethings. PlumpJack Cafe has reasonable wines. Chapeau! is currently our favorite little bistro type place--French with great wine selection--on Clement in the Richmond.

Leone

Since you loved LuLu, which is great, comparable places: Zuni cafe (which I'm sure you know) ... Plouf, great french seafood place near Market/Financial District ... La Folie (a bit expensive). By all means avoid Hawthorne Lane ... bad food, bad service, rude management, a ripoff of the first degree. Ciao

gina

I think we have a winner - I've been meaning to get to Zuni Cafe for years but have never been (and neither has Susanna). Thanks for reminding me, we'll head there!

Gotta go print out my e-ticket receipt and head to O'Hare... thanks for the input, folks!

e

Cha Cha Cha in the Haight.

charles

Chapeau is very good, and the owner is very nice. Crowded though. And high french.

amber

I like Bacar. SOMA district. There's a large bar on the 1st floor where a jazz band plays, not sure what nights. They've got a great wine list, and I believe everything can be ordered by the glass. The food is good as well and the price is very reasonable.