Back for more. I'm putting the finishing touches on my trip to San Francisco next week (9/11-9/15) and I'd like your opions on a couple of things.

Exploring Northbeach the first afternoon is on tap, so I'd like to dine in that area. Afterwards, it's back to the hotel and then upstairs for a drink at the The Grandview Lounge.

I plan on going to Top of The Mark Friday night because the enternainment for that night looks good.

I'm looking for a great steak restaurant and seafood place. I came across a place called Fleur de Lys. The menu looks interesting, but the reviews are a few months old. Any thoughts?

You can always get steak and seafood, so the other places I'm considering are Cantina, E Tutto Qua, Rose Pistola and the Mona Lisa, Quince, Slanted Door and SPQR.

As for clubs/bars, here's what I thought looked interesting...Sheba Piano Lounge, Amelie, Club Deluxe, Hidden Vine. People previously suggested Pearl's and Yoshi's.

I'm trying to base my dinner and clubbing in one area per night so I'm not running all over the place. BTW, I'm staying in Union Square. Thanks.

Fleur de Lys is classic French. I'm sure you saw the prices on the menu. It is pretty perfect, for what it is.

don't miss Slanted Door - and it's in the Ferry Building where you could literally spend your entire vacation and be happy.

I like yoshi's and I haven't been to the other clubs.

I like Rose Pistola, but you will find many opinions of Italian restaurants in North Beach on this forum, as well as the other restaurants that you mentioned.

Your plans sound good! Have fun.

You're probably too late for reservations at Quince, (not near Union Sq) and you had better make res. at Slanted Door ASAP. Mona Lisa is a carbon copy of dozens of other restaurants in North Beach. Rose Pistola is a little different and more "refined". E Totto Qua is a little nicer & more creative than the "carbon copy" restaurants in North Beach. Fleur de Lys is "classic upscale French" as Cabovacation says - and quite expensive. It's a place you go for an anniversary or to get engaged. SPQR is not near North Beach, but in a very "classy" Pacific Height neighborhood. I don't believe they take reservations - so it's first come/first serve and the place is quite small. Dine there on the early side - perhaps for lunch & shop on Fillmore after lunch.

IMO, if you're looking for great steak & seafood - I don't think any of the restaurants you've listed would be in the "classic steak & seafood" category. Slanted Door would have great fish, IMO, but probably not prepared in a way you've seen before. Same with Rose Pistola. "Classic" steakhouses would be Ruth's Chris, Mortons, Acme Chophouse, Harris, House of Prime Rib, etc. Most of our restaurants serve fish of some sort.

Dine in North Beach one night (I like North Beach Restaurant - lots of seafood there), and if you're willing to spend Fleur du Lys prices, consider Farallon or Aqua for seafood.

Stu Dudley

Thanks. I'll let you know how the trip went when I get back. Can't wait...

Farallon in Union Square would be a nice choice for your seafood restaurant. ***kim***

How about reasonably priced dayspas near Union Square, or within a mile walking distance? My sister and I are having a girl bonding mid-week trip soon.

Also, directions to Yoshi's? Thanks so much!

After many visits to SF, our last trip we finally ate at the old and classic Harris for steaks. We loved it -- the atmosphere, the service, the steaks, the sides, the wines.
It seemed totally non pretentious as many of the other steak houses do.


Since you're looking for entertainment, have you seen Beach Blanket Babylon?

No, but I know it gets a lot of buzz here at Fodors! Tell me more!

http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/

Take a look, including the pictures. It's a hoot of a high energy show featuring songs from the 50's to the present mostly with rewritten lyrics. Much political and topical humor -- some a bit off color.

On the website, be sure to go to "show pics" and click on each individual image.