The block that the Griffin is on has multiple restaurants (Chaya, Ozumo and Perry's to name three). It might be dead late at night, but after work hours, it's very busy.

Also on the same block as the hotel is Boulevard, a restaurant that's continually on the Best of SF lists. We had a fantastic dinner just a few blocks away at Perbacco (northern Italian), on California St., and Tadich Grill, an SF classic, is just a few doors away. And there are lots of great places along the Embarcadero.

How could I forget Boulevard??? Also love Perbacco, not a huge fan of Tadich's (but everyone else seems to be). My nearby favorite is La Mar, which is at Pier 1-1/2 (the Ferry Bldg. is Pier 0 -- the odd-numbered piers are to the north of the Ferry Bldg and the even-numbered piers are the the south.

Ooh, I love La Mar! Their ceviche is to die for!!

By the way, suzyeq, if you do end up at the Hotel Griffon, definitely request a bay view room - it makes all the difference in a small room, from what I could see of the others as the maids were making their rounds.