We've dined at One market twice - and are currently planning a mid week dinner with friends in Nov. Very nice restaurant & great location. Lulu has bee around forever. Very nice especially their skillet mussels. Very popular. We've dined there 3 times.

Dinner last Sat at delfina:
Me
- Aperitif. Massican Vermouth | soda, lemon, thyme - only OK - I would not order it again
- Appetizer of spaghetti (I rarely/almost never order pasta at a restaurant) with chopped anchovies, pancetta, and something crunchy. Wonderful
- Main. Quail on polenta - again wonderful

wife
- Appetizer. Grilled Monterey Bay Calamari | warm white bean salad. geat.
- main. Grilled Ahi Tuna | umbrian lentils, grilled fennel, salsa verde

Bottle of white wine. Their wines are a little pricey.
Glass of red wine with my quail

no dessert.

Stu Dudley

<i>We don't take taxis too often - but I've not seen many circulating through the Mission to take you home</i>

Just have the restaurant call a taxi.

We ate at Central Kitchen last week. It was in the middle of nowhere and we are adventuresome. It was TOO DARK and too loud. They play music to mask the noise and it made it worse. Even the young couple next to us thought it was too dark. Food was good, though.

>>and too loud<<

Yep - and about 80% of the restaurants in SF are too loud. In many, there is not really music playing - just an amplified "noise" broadcast through speakers - ka-boom, ka-boom, thump thump thump... We seek out the quieter restaurants. The Chronicle's restaurant reviews give each restaurant a noise rating. We don't even consider going places with high noise ratings.

About 20 years ago there was an article in some national newspaper about noise in restaurants. The article said that it is well known by restaurant owners that the louder the place - the more booze people drink and the faster they get through their meals.

Mamacita in the Marina gets my vote for the noisiest restaurant in The City.

Stu Dudley

Mamacita AND it's neighbor The Tipsy Pig. The Pig was <i><b>THEE LOUDEST</i></b> I have ever had a meal in.
You know it's loud when even the young servers are going "what...huh?".

Good food at both places tho. Too bad I won't go back.

Note most resto reviewers give you a noise level rating too.
As does Open Table when they send a follow up.

It was loud, even by SF standards, Stu.

<i>It was TOO DARK and too loud.</i>

We asked them to turn down the music. I wonder if commenting about lighting and noise to the staff might be more successful than on Open Table.

Thank you so much! I'm glad you weighed in, Stu. And Deb and Michael and Kal and all.

I'll look at the new names you've put in the mix, and I'll keep the Delfina reservation. One couple in the party has given it the nod, and the other couple isn't as picky.

Hand out $5 bills to the $25 people.

I have thought of something like that, W. maybe DH and I will pick up the drink tab.

Hey Deb, how does it feel to be in SF and have gorgeous weather?

Anyone been to the recently reopened Tosca yet?

>> I wonder if commenting about lighting and noise to the staff might be more successful than on Open Table.<<

At Osha on Union the music/noise was blasting away when we got there early at 6:30 (so we could possibly dine without the noise). We were the only people in the main dining section. I asked that they turned down the noise. They did. Promptly at 7 they turned it way up again. I complained & they shrugged.

More noise - more profit for the restaurant through more drinks and more turnovers. Hipsters love the noise - I presume.

We're going to the "new" Momacita in the Cole Valley at 6:30 on a week day. Hopefully it will be quieter than the Chestnut Momacita.

Stu Dudley

Stu, thanks for the public transit plan from Delfina back to Union Square. And ice cream recommendation. It's looking like Delfina will be our choice, and we'd cab over and consider your route back, depending on weather and my feet!

>>and my feet!<<

My wife has bad feet too.

Delfina to the Muni Metro stop is slightly less than 2 blocks on 18th st.

Bi Rite is on the same street & block as Delfina, but on the opposite side of the street. Benches inside & also outside. Could be a line outside to buy a cone/cup if on a weekend. Highly recommend the salted caramel.

Stu Dudley

I'm really fine with walking unless I imbibe too much at dinner. Ha.
DH loves to walk, especially after eating.
Will the Metro be running around 11pm?

>>Will the Metro be running around 11pm?<<

Yep - but if your Delfina reservations are at 8 and you linger & also have an ice cream at BiRite (no dessert at Delfina) - you'll get to Muni Metro before 11 - maybe 10:30 or sooner.

Stu Dudley

Inbound trains on the J-Church line are scheduled to run every 20 minutes until about 12:40 a.m., after which they stop til about 4 a.m. Check transit.511.org for schedules and route maps.

I was waiting for the outbound J-Church line at 18th Street on Friday evening about 10:30. At least 8 taxis passed us looking for fares. With 6 people, though, you would likely need 2 taxis. The Muni metro (J) is so convenient--it will take you right downtown for $2 per person (75 cents if you're 65 or over).

Thank you! The other couples will have cars and I know DH will want to wander back via foot and transit.

>> With 6 people, though, you would likely need 2 taxis<<

I forgot - 6 people. I would take the J-Church TO Delfina also. What way you'll be familiar with the turf in case you get too imbibed after dinner. On the J-Church route, you'll start out undergound. You'll emerge and turn left/south & travel on Church St. Good sightseeing along the way. Then you'll do down a steep hill and you'll see the huge Dolores park in front & to the left of you (if you re facing forward) and perhaps some lights on for the tennis courts. That stop will be 18th. Get off & head towards the lights (to the left of the trolly - along Dolores Park).

Stu Dudley

Thank you! We love SF and look forward to being there.