Of potential interest to people attending the
National Meeting in San Francisco this weekend and next
week.
-
Ralph
Subject: Eating in
SF
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010
21:59:00 GMT
Unless otherwise noted,places are reasonably-priced,
and within easy walking distance of the Moscone Convention Center. Check
all on the Web.
Metreon,
next to Moscone North, has a small food court. A much nicer, and bigger,
one is in Bloomingdale's. Take 4th St. to Market, turn left, and, a
short distance down, on the left, enter the
store.
Take the
escalator down to the basement. You should check out the many upscale
fast food places.
Also present is a supermarket, and more restaurants, at elevated
prices.
Near Moscone are Cha Am,
Thai, 701 Folsom; Chaat Cafe, 320 3rd St., Ruchi, India, 474 474 3rd
St.;Mehfil Indian Cuisine, 600 Folsom; Thirsty Bear Brewing Co. and
Spanish Cuisine, 661 Howard. They serve small portions. Food not to my
taste. Gordon Biersch Brewery has a branch at 2 Harrison, on the
Embarcadero, a bit South of the Ferry Building. It has a good menu, and
respectable food at slightly higher prices. It is a bit of a walk from
Moscone. Muni and taxi will get you there. Restaurant Lulu, 816 Folsom,
offers a 3 course prix fixe lunch for $ 18, also available on weekends.
It serves decent food. The wine list is extensive, somewhat pricey. The
best bet would be a pichet(small carafe holding 270 ml). Beer on tap.
The Marriott Marquis(ACS HQ) serves a buffet breakfast in the Mission
Steak from 0630 to 1100(1200 on weekends). It used to be more
extensive(no more smoked salmon). Generally the food is quite good. Note that an
AARP card gets you 20% off on food.
Fisherman's Wharf, very touristy, may attract you. You'll be
on your own, also in North Beach. Too many restaurants are-over priced,
with variable food quality. About 2 blocks from the Wharf is Caesar's,
2299 Powell, an old-fashioned Italian place, food ok, although portions
a bit small at lunch time, prices reasonable. The house wines are
available in carafes, 1 L for $ 19, 500 ml for $ 11. Places like that,
family-type, still verypopular with locals, used to be in North Beach.
It gives you a feel for the old times. Take an antique street car on
Market to Fisherman's Wharf, to the end of the line. Return on
Bay.
In my book, the best seafood-fish place is Tadich, a
traditional SF restaurant, 240 California, near the Ferry Building.
Reported as the best French Restaurant in town, 2316
Polk(taxi). The 3 course prix fixe dinner is $ 70, 4 for $ 80, and 5 for
$ 90. Bon appetit.
On a
clear day the Cliff House, 1090 Point Lobos(Muni or taxi)is worth a
visit. The food is good. There are 3 restaurants, all with big windows.
On Sundays one serves a buffet brunch, about $ 48, with a bottomless
glass of bubbly(not premium). Reservations recommended.
The Ferry
Building has a number of mostly food stores, and restaurants, also very
touristy. The only bargain there is Acme Bakery, for me the best bread
in town. Farmers Markets several days a week in front of the
building.
A real
San Francisco pub-style hangout is the Buena Vista, 2765 Hyde, at Beach.
Friendly atmosphere, very crowded on weekend. Famous for its Irish
Coffee, introduced
here to the U. S. Food also served. It is close to
Caesar's.
For those
who like a luncheon buffet(very reasonable) try Tandoori Mahal, 941
Kearny, off Columbus. Very well-attended by locals, a bit on the small
side. A good walk
from Moscone. Remember, we all have different tastes. These are some
ideas.
Use of the Michelin for this are is not
recommended.
Both
Gordon Biersch, and Buena Vista, have places in the United terminal,
SFO.
I. J. Wilk, Ph.D.
P.O. Box
18006
Stanford, CA
94309-18006
