SanFrancisco "High End" Seafood Restaurant
 

Looking for a "nice" seafood restaurant for a special occasion in San Francisco

Any suggestions ? Would also love to try Gary Danko, but can't get reservations.

Thanks ...

Farallon

Stu Dudley

Ditto what Stu says

Here is Gayot's Top 10 - and years ago - we loved Tadich's - which had the old style - male waiters - who would filet the Rex Sole, etc - at your table.

If you don't have to have just a fish restaurant - some of the other top restaurants also do a good job with fish - and you just have to check around.

http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/bes...rants_3sf.html

Farallon.

>>we loved Tadich's <<

I love Tadich - but I would not call it a "high end" restaurant.

Stu Dudley

Tadich may not be high end, but the fish is excellent and we love the atmosphere - it is brusque and noisy and fun.

I much prefer going where they have very good fish v. going to a "rep" place - aka - "high end" - which may have good fish or might be living on their design/atmosphere, new foo foo dishes, etc -- and you pay a lot more for what?

We ate at Farallon last Friday night. I had been there once before, and have to say I am not wild about it. The food is good enough, but the way it is decorated is a bit over-the-top. Kind of gaudy.

I know that Stu doesn't like my recommendation, but for two or four I personally really like Waterbar. The location is perfect, the view is great, the seating very comfortable and I really like the food and service. I don't think they do a good job for larger groups when they tend to stick you in a back room.

<<<I much prefer going where they have very good fish v. going to a "rep" place - aka - "high end">>>

I agree, but the OP specifically asked for a "high end" type of place. Tadich's most definitely is not that.

I agree, sf, Tadich will never be considered high-end for service, decor. But in my book, it is high end for quality of food and it's quirky atmosphere.

Personally, I would look for other cuisine for "high end" meal and stick to a great fish/seafood place like Tadich for the quality of the food. It isn't fancy, but just simple, delicious fish. Their cioppino, sand dabs and petrale sole are all top notch.

There Tadich is perfectly fine . . . but IMO not a 'special occasion' sort of place. deedeedee specifically mentioned both special and 'high end' so I don't think Tadich fills the bill.

heck, even someplace like Scoma's might be a better choice.

When I say Tadich's isn't high-end, I'm referring to it not being "posh" - it isn't plush, it doesn't have a view, service is brusque - which is what I gather the OP is looking for, not just "good fish".

>>Their cioppino, sand dabs and petrale sole are all top notch.<<

And their clam chowder (tops, IMO) and rex sole - which I had 2 weeks ago immediately after the Giants parade down Market St. A perfect day!!! The tarter sauce is better at Sam's, however.

Stu Dudley

There was one restaurant mentioned - and who knows if that would be the final choice - so I think we can provide some alternatives - without feeling we are necessarily transgressing on some sacred ground.

Actually - the title said high-end and the first line of the post says - "nice" - so what does that mean?

I'm not getting into the high end/nice conversation and it's not just seafood, but we loved Boulevard. There are several seafood options on the menu. It was WONDERFUL - at least we thought it was. http://www.boulevardrestaurant.com/

Romantic or no? View or no? Only seafood or no? For 2 or for 20? What kind of "seafood" - only fish or do you want include shellfish, etc.? San Francisco is full of good restaurants...

Farallon or Boulevard- i prefer Boulevard

Farrallon is a singular place for the ambience. The epitome of "high end".

I just saw your comment, Peace, and while I totally agree with your assessment, its over the topness reminds me of the golden era of San Francisco.

I wish I could remember the name of the super classic place that dates back to old SF where we ate in 1982.....but when we went to Farrallon, it evoked that for me....it is not so much that they looked alike but that they both were exaggerated in their ambience.

social - for some of us - classic old restaurants date back to 1970 and before that - and include Ernies, Blue Fox, Old Poodle Dog - and the like.

Thank you, Tom! It *was* Ernie's. I just could not come up with the name. (Just to be sure, it was all dark velvets and dark woods inside reminiscent of the old "Palladin's, Have Gun Will Travel" era of San Francisco?)

I don't remember a Palladin-like atmosphere, but I do it being pretty dark (one of my first "real" dates). Tom, you do bring back some good memories!

They were tres grand restaurants of a different era - and those of us who had the pleasure to dine there really appreciated it.

Do you remember the lovely Kim Novak - and her appearance in Roger Hitchcock's "Vertigo"? http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog...cocks-vertigo/

Thanks, Tom! That is exactly the kind of place where I picture Palladin standing, drink in hand when he was not "traveling". (Great euphemism for hit man, huh?)

I did not know of the Hitchcock connection, but will send the link to DS who is a Hitch aficionado! (He was just a toddler, when DH and I took our first solo vacation as parents and had dinner at Ernie's.)

So I take it that is not the kind of place in which you remember seeing Palladin, easytraveler? Funny how certain images can stick with you thru life, but I can see it as clearly now as when I was a young teen-ager.

I could picture him there. We dined at Earnies twice - when someone else was paying. One time, I had beef wellington.

Stu Dudley

LOL Stu. When "we" visited the likes of Ernie's back in 1970 - it was when we (a fellow Systems Analyst) were putting in the first online update billing/accounting system for Standard Oil of Cal (the first such system on the West Coast actually) - and we put in over 500 hours in 6 months - with some 14 hour days (Saturdays included). So the "powers that be" - including the dreaded bean counters - gladly let us splurge on the different restaurants as we worked well into the night.

Back then - your monitor was actually called a cathode ray tube (left over from the early days of radar) and we had to use three different computer languages to make one tiny change to the screen - which was all typed input - as there were no "mouses" back then either.

And EasyT and SocialW: I actually did take a young lady there once - who was very special. I was young and single and making very good denaro - and rents were cheap in the city then, my car was paid for - and even Paladin would have approved of this lass - in his very deep gravely voice. :)

Loved Richard Boone,
http://deestory.homestead.com/paladin.html
and who could forget the blond screen siren - Kim Novak? Va Va Voom - she was smoking hot: http://tinyurl.com/a898zss

When we went to Ernie's we were young parents (as stated above on our first trip ever w/o DS) and the >$100 tab for dinner for 2 was a splurge over and above, but we had read of this place being quintessential San Francisco and as east coasters, we were not sure we would ever be coming back to the city.

BTW, Tom, my dad was a ham radio operator who also did a stint on the DEW line in Alaska back in the 50s and I have heard of cathode ray tubes and other such terminology ever since I was a small child. He built all his own equipment and standing around Allied Radio waiting for parts to come down the conveyor is one of my childhood memories of both exquisite boredom and bits of bittersweet as I know how important that was to his identity.

All of the kids and grandchildren say that had he grown up in the computer era, he would have been a techie guru!

Farallon could be one of those places that you just have to see and decide for yourself. Our food and service was good, and prices are not outrageous.

They have the best happy hour menu I've ever seen. I think it is served from about 4:30 till 7:00. Everything on it is $6-- wine, cocktails, great appetizers. I recommend it highly. Just wasn't wild about the atmosphere of the dining room, and the place can be really crowded.

I know you want fish, but our recent dinner at Fino, just a few blocks from Farallon, was excellent. I had calamari steak, which I had never even heard of. It was done piccata style, and was very good. There are several scallop and shrimp entrees and cioppino (sp?), too. Huge portions, unbelievably low prices, awesome and unobtrusive service. Excellent place. Has been there 22 years with the same chef.

socialworker: you are referring to "Have Gun Will Travel" Palladin - yes? In some ways, I remember Ernie's better than the TV show, being either too young or too busy with school to be watching TV much in those days.

But Ernie's, that was some special date! Tom, you do know how to treat ladies well! Movie stars would come up from LA to dine in the San Francisco restaurants in those days and one would read all about it in Herb Caen's column about Baghdad-By-The-Bay.

deedeedee: sorry for the stroll down memory lane, but we can help you better if you define more of what you're looking for.

>> I had calamari steak, which I had never even heard of<<

You will find calamari steaks at many restaurants in The City. Many grocery stores carry it also. Very easy to cook at home - just dredge in Wondra/flour and 1 min per side in a med hot skillet. We had it last week - picatta style with butter, lemon juice, and capers. I cook it for dinner when I don't want to spend any time in the kitchen. Unbelievably inexpensive.

Farallon is one of my favorite interiors in the City. Many moons ago it was a YMCA swimming pool. The pool is still there - under the floor I believe.
http://www.farallonrestaurant.com/
>>Kind of gaudy<<
Perhaps we like Farallon because we like Gaudi. We've visited all his stuff in Barcelona - and are returning next fall.

Stu Dudley

>>deedeedee: sorry for the stroll down memory lane, but we can help you better if you define more of what you're looking for.<<<

I think deedeedee has departed.

The Playboy Club was across the street from Ernies.

Stu Dudley

Such great memories. Always loved the moxie Paladin - whose calling card had the Chess/Horse symbol on it. What not to like about an intellectual hired gun, eh?

I yes, we had Calamari steak at Scoma's - way back in the 70's - when they couldn't get the prized Abalone any longer.

We make it all the time - sauted with capers and a lemon-butter sauce - it's excellent. You can also breadcrumb it.

Good deals for Calamari steak at Costco and other markets here - such as Sprouts, or is it Trader Joe's?

We (w/ my brother in law) also used to go into Chinatown back in the 70's - and buy the smaller Calamari/squid - take them home and clean them (it was only .99 cents a pound - and very fresh) and deep fry them for our own wonderful Calamari Fritte, tentacles and all.

And that brings back another memory - of when I took a fellow gal from the office to Scoma's (you weren't supposed to date co-workers -but hey - every once in a while, eh? - as she was from Canada - and very nice/cute) - I asked the waiter what he recommended - and he said the Calamari - so I ordered that. Egads - it was the first time I had seen the dish - with tentacles even. I tried to act nonchalant - and forced it down - and later came to love it - as well as Escargot - which we used to buy by the can at Cost Plus and make at home.

And yes, EasyT - the young lass was very special - and had I not been a young semi-"confirmed" bachelor - or at least - new to the incredible social scene in SF in the 70's - I might have dated her much longer. A veritable knockout (no idea how I lucked out) who was also very nice. She had finished college back in the Midwest - and was flying internationally for United Airlines - or was it Pan AM? - and she was a tall shapely blond. She could have lined up next to Kim Novak and held her own for sure. Triple :)

Such great memories. Had Calamari steak at Scoma's - way back in the 70's - when they couldn't get Abolone any longer.

We make it all the time - and with capers and a lemon-butter sauce - it's excellent.

We also used to go into Chinatown back in the 70's - and buy the smaller Calamari/squid - take them home and clean them (it was only .99 cents a pound - and very fresh) and deep fry them for our own wonderful Calamari Fritte, tentacles and all.

And that brings back anothr memory - of when I took a fellow gal from the office to Scoma's (you weren't supposed to date co-workers -but hey - every once in a while, eh? - as she was from Canada - and very nice/cute) - I asked the waiter what he recommended - and he said the Calamari - so I ordered that - and it was the first time I had seen the dish - with tentacles even. I tried to act non-chalance - and forced it down - and later we came to love it - as well as Escargot - which we used to buy by the can at Cost Plus and make at home.

And yes, EasyT - the young lass was very special - and had I not been a young semi-"confirmed" bachelor - or at least - new to the incredible scene in SF in the 70's - I might have dated her much longer. A vertible knockout (no idea how I lucked out) who was also very nice. She had finished college back in the Midwest - and was flying internationally for United Airlines - or was it Pan AM - and a tall shapely blond to boot. She could have lined up next to Kim Novak and held her own for sure. Triple :)

Oops. Double posted - and no idea how that happened. How do you delete the dupe?

Hi StuDudley ... I am back & I am happy my post brought back some wonderful memories for
some of you. We looked at Farallons but thought it was a little gaudy. If we can I would like to pop in just to take a look. We are not looking for romantic (traveling with my sister & son) A view is not that important. We enjoy seafood & know S.F. has plenty of good restaurants to choose from. We have 2 nights in S.F. & are looking for nicer type restaurants for our 2 dinners. We are going to Tadichs for lunch. It looks great. We will probably end up at an Italian restaurant one of the nights. Thanks for your input ...

For Italian, again I highly recommend Fino.

Stu, I hadn't thought of Gaudi! So true. I am not a fan, but I get your point.

Thanks for the calamari steak information. We folks in land-locked states do not get such treats as that in our local grocers'. I had abalone sandwich once that was thicker and more tender. Can't get that anymore?

San Francisco certainly rivals top cities around the world, in having great restaurants. You lucky ducks.