SF recommendations please
 

We are going to San Fran for the first time for a long weekend. What should we not miss???<BR><BR>What are some great restaurants we should dine at also. We would like to do do 2 NICE, fine dining meals, and one more casual.

For one of your nice meals, head over to Berkeley to Chez Panisse. Outstanding.

Another question... how far is Napa Valley??? We would love to do a day at the vineyards. Is this possible for a day trip? Would also love to try French Laundry...

Napa is about 1.5 - 2 hrs. from SF. It is possible as a daytrip, but I would suggest spending at least one night there. There's so much to see in Wine Country. French Laundry requires advance reservations, usually several months. You could call to see if there are any cancellations for the time that you will be there, but it is not likely.

Although Chez Panisse certainly qualifies as fine dining, unless you have been to SF before and/or you have more time I don't know if going to Berkeley for one meal is a good use of limited time. But then again it certainly is one place that any self respecting foodie should visit. In SF I would recommend Gary Danko's, Fifth Floor, Jardinere, Boulevard, Fleur de Lys, all of which are fairly expensive however.

For the more casual meal, I'd suggest Yabbies, for seafood. It was one of my favorites. For very casual, pony up to the counter at Swan Oyster Depot for lunch, I consider it a &quot;Must Do&quot; for any visitors who like raw shellfish. ONly open for lunch, can be a long line at peak times, it's just a counter with stools but awesome oyster selection and they have some great seafood salads too.

I second the recommendation for Gary Danko. It's sublime. You can get an idea of the menu at www.garydanko.com. <BR><BR>For more casual places, I'd recommend Trattoria Contadina and Jianna in North Beach; Betelnut, Isa and Pane e Vino in Cow Hollow/Marina; and Frascati in Russian Hill.

I too will have to agree with the above posters--Gary Danko's is FANTASTIC. It may be one of the best meals you will ever have. Don't miss Alcatraz--everyone should go at least once.

Don't miss the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market on Saturday. You will find a full array a fresh Caslifornia wares/produce and food to sample or eat. If you are here after April 30 you can check it out inside the Ferry Building. This has been a long time in coming and promises to delight.<BR><BR>Consider Dim Sum, a true SF experience at Yank Sing in the Rincon Annex.(more casual dining)<BR><BR>SFMOMA<BR><BR>The Napa wine country will take about 1.5 hours to get to. You can always call the Fench Laundry to see if you can get in however, even the wait list has been known to go on for a month or so before the actual dining day. I might suggest some other places: Tra Vigne(lunch or dinner)-reservations especially for dinner<BR>Bouchon(a great bistro style place with a full raw bar)Yountville-reservations but you might have some luck with dropping in for lunch.<BR><BR>Don Giovani-I think it actually is still Napa. On Hwy 29. This is a great place with outdoor seating also. This is a favorite of the locals. Good, hearty tuscan style fare with some California thrown in.<BR><BR>Taylor's referesher-St Helena: very casual a drive in kind of place but with truely great food.<BR><BR>