Top San Francisco Restaurant Choices
Mar 24th, 2005, 04:18 AM
#41
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Well, I understand why the chocolate cake would be "molten" if it was in the desert!
I can't ignore the raves about Tadich Grill without bringing up our aggravating and insulting experience there when I ate with my partner, his two brothers, and their mother. We ate well and drank a lot of expensive wines, spending something like $500 for the five of us, but the mother didn't feel well and only ate soup, while the rest of us had full dinners at high prices. On the bill was an extra charge for the mother as there was a $20 or $25 minimum per person. Wouldn't you think they'd have overlooked that considering the total on the bill? Our host, the brother who lives there and goes fairly often to Tadich Grill, approached the manager and was basically told, "if you don't like our policies, don't come here," and he walked away.
I can't ignore the raves about Tadich Grill without bringing up our aggravating and insulting experience there when I ate with my partner, his two brothers, and their mother. We ate well and drank a lot of expensive wines, spending something like $500 for the five of us, but the mother didn't feel well and only ate soup, while the rest of us had full dinners at high prices. On the bill was an extra charge for the mother as there was a $20 or $25 minimum per person. Wouldn't you think they'd have overlooked that considering the total on the bill? Our host, the brother who lives there and goes fairly often to Tadich Grill, approached the manager and was basically told, "if you don't like our policies, don't come here," and he walked away.
Mar 24th, 2005, 10:07 AM
#42
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Yes Patrick, although I have had some great meals at The Tadich Grill their personnel can be quite crusty and grouchy. For some reason they were always very pleasant when my late DH and I went there but since then they have been rude to me.
Thought is was because I was not with a male but evidently that was not the case because of what your party went through. There are so many wonderful restaurants in SF I refuse to spend my money at a place of business with that kind of attitude.
Thought is was because I was not with a male but evidently that was not the case because of what your party went through. There are so many wonderful restaurants in SF I refuse to spend my money at a place of business with that kind of attitude.
Mar 24th, 2005, 11:02 AM
#44
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I've actually stopped recommending Tadich to out of town visitors. Occasionally I will go for lunch during a work day, because I and my usual lunch companions know what to expect. The service has gone downhill, with most of the waitstaff becoming crustier than the sourdough bread. And the cioppino, the last time I had it, tasted of a jarred pasta sauce.
Most egregious was the time when I asked our waiter what was the best of the catch of the day - the sand dabs or the lingcod or whatever. You'd think this was an appropriate question for a seafood place, yes? Well, he impatiently tapped his receipt pad with his pencil and said, "It's all good, everything on the menu!". I mean really.
Most egregious was the time when I asked our waiter what was the best of the catch of the day - the sand dabs or the lingcod or whatever. You'd think this was an appropriate question for a seafood place, yes? Well, he impatiently tapped his receipt pad with his pencil and said, "It's all good, everything on the menu!". I mean really.
Mar 24th, 2005, 11:38 AM
#46
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We had cocktails this past Sat at the newly opened Hotel Vitale's "Americano's" restaurant at "FooMish/Embarc". (Foot of Mission at Embarcadero.
Nice bar and the restaurant's menu looked good but since it was the first week or so of operating, people were a bit too dressy for us....Hawaiian shirt, shorts, tennis shoes, ball cap and man bag and all.
So we crawled up to NoBee and a corner table at Capps.
We also "Small plated" it up at Fog City Diner while waiting for our traveling companions.
Mu Shu pork burritos, salt and pepper calamari with chile-lime dipping sauce and the best Corn Quesadilla's with poblano chilis, huitlachie (sp?) and salsa.
Washed it down with a "few" glasses of Gundlach Bundschu's "Bearitage".
Nice bar and the restaurant's menu looked good but since it was the first week or so of operating, people were a bit too dressy for us....Hawaiian shirt, shorts, tennis shoes, ball cap and man bag and all.
So we crawled up to NoBee and a corner table at Capps.
We also "Small plated" it up at Fog City Diner while waiting for our traveling companions.
Mu Shu pork burritos, salt and pepper calamari with chile-lime dipping sauce and the best Corn Quesadilla's with poblano chilis, huitlachie (sp?) and salsa.
Washed it down with a "few" glasses of Gundlach Bundschu's "Bearitage".
Mar 24th, 2005, 05:53 PM
#47
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Well, I swore I was going to avoid clicking on this thread! 
After two glasses of a new Australian Shiraz, hree goes:
For Chinese dim sum: try Yank Sing in the Financial District (fergettabout the rest)
I second Jardiniere - whatta a wonderful experience! Luckly everyone else is going to Boulevard, Farallon, etc.
Best seafood a la Chinois: (and remember everything has to be LIVE before cooking): Harbor Village in the Embarcadero (pricey but really worth it)
Best sea decor: Farallon.
If you like hot Thai food: try Khan Toke
If you like sushi and just want to have the feeling you are at sea: try the sushi boat place in Japanatown, lots of little boats floating by, excellent raw fish (guess this is not what you were looking for)
Best vista: Kal in Hawaiian shirt and shorts
After two glasses of a new Australian Shiraz, hree goes:
For Chinese dim sum: try Yank Sing in the Financial District (fergettabout the rest)
I second Jardiniere - whatta a wonderful experience! Luckly everyone else is going to Boulevard, Farallon, etc.
Best seafood a la Chinois: (and remember everything has to be LIVE before cooking): Harbor Village in the Embarcadero (pricey but really worth it)
Best sea decor: Farallon.
If you like hot Thai food: try Khan Toke
If you like sushi and just want to have the feeling you are at sea: try the sushi boat place in Japanatown, lots of little boats floating by, excellent raw fish (guess this is not what you were looking for)
Best vista: Kal in Hawaiian shirt and shorts
Apr 7th, 2005, 11:01 PM
#49
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Local character and great food Betelnut on Union!
Farallon, cool restaurant, great location and awsome chocolate martinis. One block from V.F. hotel.
Ozuma (spelling?) Next to Boulavard. Good food and atmosphere. Trendy and Boulevard for dessert.
Bubble Lounge to sample champagne and relax on comfy sofas. Great before or after dinner.
Hawthorne Lane most overrated.
Foreign Cinema Most imaginative dining experience. Watch a film while dining.
Slanted Door and Ferry Building, good food and fun markets.
Capps, a north beach family style institution. Great with a night at Beach Blanket Babelon.
Lunch at Emporio Armani Store is fun when shopping with great attitude. Walk from Villa Florence.
Villa Florence and Kuletos is a great homebase!
Farallon, cool restaurant, great location and awsome chocolate martinis. One block from V.F. hotel.
Ozuma (spelling?) Next to Boulavard. Good food and atmosphere. Trendy and Boulevard for dessert.
Bubble Lounge to sample champagne and relax on comfy sofas. Great before or after dinner.
Hawthorne Lane most overrated.
Foreign Cinema Most imaginative dining experience. Watch a film while dining.
Slanted Door and Ferry Building, good food and fun markets.
Capps, a north beach family style institution. Great with a night at Beach Blanket Babelon.
Lunch at Emporio Armani Store is fun when shopping with great attitude. Walk from Villa Florence.
Villa Florence and Kuletos is a great homebase!
Jun 3rd, 2005, 04:39 PM
#50
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I did not like Boulevard, from my point of view it is very common food, too common for the price, but am I the only one ? perhaps a bad choice then ?
My husband get really sick after eating at Kokkari
I like Isa, cretive and excellent for much less than 100$ for 2.
"Chez Nous" ( Fillmore ) is also very good ( mediteranean )
My husband get really sick after eating at Kokkari
I like Isa, cretive and excellent for much less than 100$ for 2.
"Chez Nous" ( Fillmore ) is also very good ( mediteranean )
Aug 16th, 2005, 08:03 AM
#52
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Came across this thread as I'm picking a restaurant for our 20th anniversary and am leaning toward Fleur de Lys (ate there probably 30 years ago), but no one recommended it. I know it's on the Chronicle top 100 list, but what do you folks think?
Aug 16th, 2005, 01:10 PM
#53
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Actually, Fleur de Lys is still very good. However, for a special occasion like a 20th anniversary, you might to consider either The Fifth Floor or Silks. Both are excellent, romantic places. Another new restaurant, not quite as formal, but quite good, is Myth. Have a happy anniversary.
