Deb, Fifth Floor closed.

If you really want a good, but not "fine dining", restaurant, consider Colibri or MY China, both of which are definitely walking distance.

Oops. And sorry to hear that; I assume there's a new restuarant there now?

Agree with MichelleY about Barbacco. We love it, but as said above, it's casual - not for the anniversary dinner.

Saving this thread for all the good restaurant suggestions. I'll be in the city from Sept 18th - 22nd. Thanks!

To answer my own question, there is indeed a new restaurant @Palomar in San Francisco to replace Fifth Floor, but it appears to be quite a different vibe and set up. Sounds like a fun night out, albeit not quite the luxe place it was before.

http://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/di...-F-5601093.php

Sorry for being late to the thread, Sutter location is nicer than 2nd st, but 2nd street gives better access to BART and streetcar, also closer to Moscone.

E&O on Sutter has great food, we had a few GTGs there. Difficult to get in without a reservation.

We've stayed at The Pickwick 2x and what it lacks in <ahem> ambiance, the staff there was always friendly and quite helpful especially in negotiating the parking situation. Do you have rental car?

Both times we had a room over looking the old US Mint and some of the "campers" who spend the night there.

Agree with sf7307 on MY China in the shopping Ctr next door. Had an excellent dinner, new twist on a Bloody Mary and you can watch some of the chefs play with their noodles.

Been wanting to try nearby "Dirty Habit".http://www.dirtyhabitsf.com/
Anyone been???

Spanish food. We liked Gitane on Claude Lane. Nice ambiance for an anniversary. Not cheap since we had apps, dessert and lots of alcohol.

"2nd street gives better access to BART and streetcar"

Actually the Marriott, while being on 2nd, is at Folsom, so it is close to a 15 minute walk to either BART or streetcar.

You go Kal, and let US know!

Hey Michelle - I was actually googling for Spanish food - your other post made me crave it again!

Kal you the best... I am sort of dreading the Pickwick and thinking of flying home after the weekend ;-)

Thanks all!!

Michelle - there are some spotty reviews - how long ago where you there? (Gitane)

About a year and a half. Will have to check the reviews. It is $$$$ for the portion size. Sorry it isn't so great anymore.

Momdd- checked on yelp. Mixed. But enough to make you go somewhere else. Lots of complaints about service. Service was excellent when we were there. Very attentive and knowledgable. One of the reasons we enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed the Ferry building. We bought food at several places then went out back and ate outside. of course we had gorgeous weather in June.

WE walked all along the waterfront, too, not just the Ferry Bldg. Lots of interesting shopping and views.

Perbacco is wonderful, a favorite and the food isn't too "foodie." I think you'd enjoy it!

For Spanish or tapas, how about Coqueta? We're eating there next week. Anyone try it yet? It wasn't an easy reservation.

Another one that is good, walkable from Union Square, and an easy table to score is Wexler's, though it's not terribly "San Francisco" in vibe (Zuni would be my choice for that). They have a good cocktail program, though I don't know if you and your husband drink hard alcohol. Hearty food, not "foodie."

This popped into my head because I am right now looking for a table for four for tonight at 8pm. Always the 11 th hour with me!

My husband loves a good drink. :-) I have on occasional cocktail (like 2 times a year! ha!) but love a good glass of wine.

CPG - let me know how it is!

Thanks everyone! This is really great - looks like Perbacco is getting lots of recommendations!

Perbacco=zeppole or salted caramel gelato for dessert!

Transportation question - can someone remind me of how to get the BART from SFO to downtown? We are going to the Marriott on Sutter. We could also take a cab if that is the best way?

Get on the (free) AirTrain loop through the airport and get off at the BART station. Buy your ticket to Powell Street (about $9). The ride is about 30 minutes. Keep your ticket--you'll need it to leave the station. Then walk 6 blocks to Union Square.

A good site for SF directions is 511.org.

I <i>still</i> can't get in to salted desserts. It's like putting pineapple on pizza. [(

Forgot to mention two of our faves that still seem to get good reviews (short taxi rides from both hotels) 1300 on Fillmore and The Boxing Room.

We've been to Coqueta three or four times - it's very very good, and a lovely place.

Coqueta - that looks really good and it is on the water (bonus)! :)

Coqueta - their Sangria sounds amazing! Oh my!

We had lunch at Cotogna Friday. Loved it. We took Muni up hill to the restaurant and easily walked down to Market after lunch. Maybe Slanted Door for your anniversary? Their shaken beef is not to be missed.

This is a better link to SF's 100 best restaurants. The one above (sorry Kal--how are ya BTW?) requires a digital subscription to the Chronicle in order to read anything about the restaurants other than their name.

http://www.sfgate.com/food/top100/2014/

Thanks everyone! Excited about our trip.

I was looking at a few things and am curious what you all think about
THE RITZ-CARLTON, HALF MOON BAY? It states it is 23 miles from SF - wondering about using our points and heading there for Sat/Sun - my husband has to be at his conference by around 11:00 am Monday...

Thoughts?

You will need a car and as lovely as that area is, not much to do...

We stayed there in May for an annual meeting. Beautiful property with wonderful service and details. But as pointed out above, not a lot to do except golf, and wonderful spa. But that was enough for us. Some in our group went sea kayaking. Weather was pretty much socked in with fog the whole time. October may be better weather with less chance of fog.

It's their 18th anniversary....I think they might <i>like</i> not having much <i>to do</i>? :-d

When we stay in HMB we do The Beach House and get a 3rd floor ocean view room. Usually the end room closer to Sam's Chowder House. Nice little lanai to watch gorgeous sunsets.

Short walk to Sam's....nicer walk along the bay/marina to several good restos.

Don't know if your points would apply there.

We were set to spend two days at R-C HMB over T'giving weekend for our 30th wedding anniv (4+ years ago) but figured we could stay at The Beach House the 4 day weekend and come home on Monday for almost same price.

Hellooooooo Ms. Betsy. ;;) >:D<
If I was doing any better Gov Brown would make me illegal or figure out a way to tax me more.

<It's their 18th anniversary....I think they might like not having much to do? :-d>

ummm...exactly ;-)

Our points only work at Ritz and Marriott... (AC properties as well in Spain!)

My husband is already saying something about the Giants being two games out (or something) and if this happens, and that happens... blah blah that they have a long shot of being in the play offs - and of course he will want to go to a Giant game. I swear that guy reminds me of jimmy fallon in Fever Pitch when it comes to Baseball :-)

OMG. Don't miss the Ritz Carlton HMB if you have the bazillion points needed to stay there. Have your anniversary dinner at It's Italia in HMB. You won't be sorry.

BTW we stayed at an AC property west of Barcelona on the beach (using Marriott points). Lovely hotel, but it's no longer Marriott-related.

Agree with Ms Bets on It's Italia ((y)) ((y))
Bruno's High Tide Bloody Mary is molto bene!

....oh and if you have the points at R-C, <i>do eeeeeeeeeet</i>.

We had a few cocktails at the R-C bar and it is a gorgeous place and view.

ATT Park and Pitt's PNC Park are two of THEE prettiest settings for a ballpark evah'. Good grub at ATT, too.

My favorite places to sit outside and eat when the weather is nice are Waterbar and La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, both are along the Embarcadero with views of the Bay. La Mar also has the best looking waiters in SF. I am comfortable eating by myself at either place.

Reporting back on Coqueta where we had dinner last night. The food was delicious although we had a big problem with one of the mains. The restaurant handled it very professionally and I wouldn't hesitate to return. Great staff and bartender. The main room, where we sat, is quite striking, but no water view. The water view is in the smaller front room/bar area.

Thanks CPG and Belinda and Kal & Betsy!

I am still undecided as of right now...we have our room in SF and might just leave it at that..

I got an email today from Cotogna and Quince. They have set menu Sunday suppers that, depending on the menu, might be nice for you and your husband if you are in town. I have gone a few times over the years and liked the experience.

Just to give you an idea, these are the September menus.

http://www.cotognasf.com/pdf/cotogna-supper.pdf