Author:
Amy
Believing that the only way one can truly get to know a place is through its food and drink, Amy's... view profile
View Iternary mapSan Francisco
-
Tony's Pizza Napoletana
Contact:
- (415) 835-9888
- visit website
Location:
- 1570 Stockton St
- San Francisco,CA94133
-
Map
- user rating
Description:
The buzz preceding the opening of Tony's Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood was deafening but nothing if not accurate. Located off of Washington Square park and cooking everything from the 2007 World Pizza Cup (Naples, Italy) Margherita - only 73 made a day - to Sicilian Colombo to an authentic Jersey Tomato Pie, Tony's has a pizza for each and every taste. All of the staff are knowledgeable and attentive, the wine list is extensive, and the restaurant is a great place to see and be seen.
-
Cellar 360
Contact:
- (415) 440-0772
- visit website
Location:
- 900 North Point St
- Woolen Mill Building, Suite F301 at Plaza Level
- San Francisco,CA94109
-
Map
- user rating
Description:
A tasting room in San Francisco, Cellar 360 brings together the work of 30+ wineries around the world into one stylish tasting room in the heart of Ghirardelli Square. Tasting flights change every month, and various wines are also available by the glass. Classes on Wednesdays and Sundays are open to the public, pairing exciting selections with tasty treats from Cellar 360's in-house Chef. Bottle selection is extensive, and there is a patio for those who would like to consume their purchases there. They ship around the world, and have partner tasting rooms in Napa and Sonoma.
-
Little Skillet
Contact:
- 415 777 2777
- visit website
Location:
- 360 Ritch
- San Francisco,CA94107
-
Map
- user rating
Description:
If you're walking down some alley, there're certain things you're well advised to be ready for, like hushed solicitations from drug dealers, and precisely choreographed gang violence. And now, fried chicken and waffles, at Little Skillet. Operating outta 330 Ritch's (til' now) underused kitchen, and run by the dudes that opened Farmer Brown, Skillet's a miniscule, alley-bound to-go window that appears like it might sell cold coffee, when in fact it does sell crazy-good soul food, including some of SF proper's only fowl n' 'fles. The tender, flaky, spiced-up chicken comes with fluffy angel biscuits and optional sides o' coleslaw/potato salad/etc, or better yet, flanked by a couple of made-from-scratch buttermilk waffles dusted in powdered sugar and drowned in house maple syrup, all w/ optional sausage or mushroom/herb gravy -- go for the sausage unless you want to instantaneously like the Grateful Dead. There's also po'boys w/ your choice of pulled pork shoulder w/ homemade BBQ sauce, Creole shrimp, or roasted veggies; light, buttery angel biscuits w/ veggie gravy; and a few baked sweets like mini pecan pies and red velvet cupcakes -- significantly less Dennis Hoppery than blue velvet... read more
-
Zeitgeist
Contact:
- 415/255-7505
- visit website
Location:
- 199 Valencia St
- At Duboce
- San Francisco,CA94103
-
Map
- user rating
Description:
The front door is black, the back door is adorned with a skeleton Playboy bunny, and inside is packed to the rafters with tattooed, pierced, and hard-core-looking partiers. But forge on. Zeitgeist is such a friendly and fun punk-rock-cum-biker-bar beer garden that even the occasional yuppie can be spotted mingling around the slammin' juke box that features tons of local bands or in the huge back patio filled with picnic tables. (There tend to be cute girls here, too.) Along with fantastic dive-bar environs, you'll find 30 beers on draft, a pool table, and pinball machines. The regular crowd, mostly locals and bike messengers, come here to kick back with a pitcher, and welcome anyone else interested in the same pursuit. And if your night turns out, um, better than expected, there's a hotel upstairs. Cash only.
-
El Farolito
Contact:
- (415) 824-7877
- visit website
Location:
- 2777 Mission Street
- Between 23rd & 24th Steets
- San Francisco,CA94110-3103
-
Map
- user rating
Description:
The only thing this place has to recommend itself for is its delicious food at rock-bottom prices. The lighting is bad, the decor is bargain-basement, but the burritos are huge and the filling is a delicious, slow-cooked carne asada, tender chicken, spicy pork, or veggies and guacamole. You will also find tacos, enchiladas and tostadas. It is a popular place with locals and people looking for a quick meal, especially late at night when most other spots have closed down. The service is quick and efficient. Only cash is accepted.
-
Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
Contact:
- (415) 772 5278
- visit website
Location:
- 950 Mason St.
- Fairmont Hotel
- San Francisco,CA94108
-
Map
reserve with OpenTable- user rating
Description:
Located within SF's historic Fairmont Hotel, this kitschy bamboo lounge is for anyone who always wanted to visit the set of "Fantasy Island." Come before 7p during the week to catch happy hour, then allow the fruity umbrella drinks, the simulated tropical storm (yes, it really rains), and the intentionally cheezy soft-rock house band to lull you away to that paradise cruise you never took. Snacks and meals are both pricey, but the food's not the main reason for coming here. Fish Tacos are a highly recommended menu item. Order them with a round of mai-tais.
-
Palio D'Asti
Contact:
- (415) 395-9800
- visit website
Location:
- 640 Sacramento Street
- San Francisco,CA94111
-
Map
reserve with OpenTable- user rating
Description:
In 1998, Caroline Bates of Gourmet Magazine called this Financial District jewel one of the best restaurants in San Francisco. When one takes into consideration the high caliber of restaurants in The City, it seems clear that truly astonishing things must be happening in the kitchen. And they are. Within view of guests, the chefs whip up grilled swordfish, Veal Scallopine and various mouthwatering risottos. Its location makes it a prime lunch destination during the week. The service is impeccable.
-
NOPA
Contact:
- (415) 864-8643
- visit website
Location:
- 560 Divisadero St
- (cross street: Fell)
- San Francisco,CA94117
-
Map
reserve with OpenTable- user rating
Description:
Soaring ceilings, funky walls with cartoonish murals of San Francisco and a jovial din set the stage at this buzzing restaurant. Diners in possession of one of the few coveted, same-day-only reservations huddle around closely packed tables and snug booths in the two-tiered dining room, while those without settle for a seat at the long wooden communal table. An adjoining bar area hosts a crowd of stylish 30-something singles seeking flirtatious conversation and each other's phone numbers. Friendly servers slither between tables, alternately offering suggestions from the rotating menu and delivering plates of organic, Mediterranean-influenced Cal cuisine.
-
Nopalito
Contact:
- (415) 437-0303
- visit website
Location:
- 306 Broderick St.
- near Oak Street
- San Francisco,CA94117
-
Map
- user rating
Description:
For a different variety of Mexican food than found throughout most of the city, head over to Nopalito. Meaning "little piece of cactus," Nopalito serves rustic Mexican cuisine in a casual atmosphere. All-local, organic ingredients create exceptionally fresh dishes such as tamales and carnitas, at impressively reasonable prices. The cocktails are unique as are the desserts. It's a difficult decision of what to order, but while you decide, nosh on the totopos con chile. They don't take reservations and seating is first come first serve. Be prepared to wait, but it's worth it.
-
Zuni Café
Contact:
- 415/552-2522
- visit website
Location:
- 1658 Market St
- At Franklin St
- San Francisco,CA94102
-
Map
reserve with OpenTable- user rating
Description:
Zuni Café's expanse of windows overlooking Market Street gives the place a sense of space despite the fact that it's always packed. For the full effect, stand at the bustling, copper-topped bar and order a glass of wine and a few oysters from the oyster menu (a dozen or so varieties are on hand at all times). Then take your seat in the stylish exposed-brick two-level maze of little dining rooms or on the patio. Then do what we all do: Splurge on chef Judy Rodgers' Mediterranean-influenced menu. Although the ever-changing menu always includes meat (such as hanger steak), fish (grilled or braised on the kitchen's wood grill), and pasta (tagliatelle with nettles, applewood-smoked bacon, butter, and Parmesan), it's almost sinful not to order her brick-oven roasted chicken for two with Tuscan-style bread salad. I rarely pass up the polenta with mascarpone and a proper Caesar salad. Whatever you decide, be sure to order a stack of shoestring potatoes.
-
The Bubble Lounge
Contact:
- 415/434-4204
- visit website
Location:
- 714 Montgomery St
- Between Washington and Jackson sts
- San Francisco,CA94111
-
Map
- user rating
Description:
This two-level champagne bar -- looking ever so chic with its red velvet sofas, brick walls, and floor-to-ceiling draperies -- chills more than 300 Champagnes and sparkling wines, including about 30 by the glass. As one would expect at a Financial District bubbly bar, there's a soupçon of pretentiousness emanating from the BMW-driving clientele and perpetually unshaven bartenders. If you're the type that prefers beer and free pretzels you'll hate it here, particularly if you have to wait in line for a $20 flute of something you can't even pronounce, but the pick-up scene really perks up as the bubbly flows into the night.
-
La Trappe
Contact:
- 415 440 8727
- visit website
Location:
- 800 Greenwich St.
- San Francisco,CA94133
-
Map
- user rating
Description:
Those with a palate for the quaffing of international ales will find refreshing comfort and community at this sudsy beer hall, where 100+ bottles are offered and La Chouffe is served on tap. Casual Columbus Street passers-by will note only the small, tidy upstairs bistro, but regulars know to descend the spiral staircase to the cellar bar below. Downstairs, gregarious bartenders dispense a mouth-watering array of elite beers into appropriate stemware, and a menu of mussels, sliders, hearty pub fare and the like provides complement and base. The splendid room includes plenty of seating and a comfortable lounge.
Happily, beer snob remains an oxymoron: Servers here are delighted to recommend favorites and treats from the somewhat daunting list, which is top-notch, and priced accordingly; expect to spend upwards of $6-$11 per. -
Church Key
Contact:
- visit website
Location:
- 1402 Grant Ave
- San Francisco,CA94133
-
Map
- user rating
Description:
Jacks of all trades are impressive, but more so are those who focus completely on one area, own it, then go on to dominate another -- think Kris Kristofferson's singing-then-acting, or Suzanne Somers, who ruled sitcoms only to later be anointed Thigh Master. Representing one man's second realm of boozy accomplishment, Church Key.In a bi-level space stacking a lantern-lit lounge atop a brick-backed, copper-bar'd saloon, Church Key's headed up by the Broken Record honcho, who, having already pushed whiskey to its limits, decided to open a 55-brew, globally sourced suds haven. Pint-sized offerings range from Maine's bourbon-barrel-aged Allagash Curieux, to Belgium's Duchesse De Bourgogne (super rich with hints of balsamic and plum), to Germany's smoky Aecht Rauchbier Marzen ("Remember in The Mask when Jim Carrey said 'Smokin' twenty times in a half hour? It's like that but more entertaining." So it tastes like that). For the more expansive drinker, Church Key stocks 24oz jugs including Black Orchard Belgian Dark Ale (evocative of spearmint and rhum agricole), vanilla-tinged La Roja red from Jolly Pumpkin in MI, and champagne beers like Brazil's Eisenbahn Lust, marked by sweetness, light... read more
-
Liba Falafel
Contact:
- 415-806-LIBA
- visit website
Location:
- De Haro at Alameda
- San Francisco,CA94301
-
Map
- user rating
Description:
This is not your average falafel truck. It's falafel plus magical pixie dust that would make you shout "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?" if your mouth weren't full of falafel. $8 buys a basic sandwich (not bad on its own, with tahini and chimichurri) and your turn at a smorgasbord of homemade additions and condiments -- roasted eggplant, beet salad, spiced carrot curls, olive relish, and on and on -- any one of which you'd be happy to order as your entire meal for the same money. A selection of your favorites packed into that pita makes for an endlessly-varied meal and the best thing that'll happen to you all week. It'd be longer, but you'll be back next Friday.
The Liba Falafel truck comes to this location on Friday's only, but check out the Liba Web site for other weekly locations around the Bay Area.
-
15 Romolo
Contact:
- (415) 398 1359
- visit website
Location:
- 15 Romolo Pl
- Between Broadway and Fresno Street
- San Francisco,CA94133-4015
-
Map
- user rating
Description:
Classy lounge welcomes the afterwork crowd in old Basque hotel.
- Destination(s): San Francisco
-
User Rating sign in to rate it - Download This Guide
- Explore
- There are 30 Guides in San Francisco.
- Find More San Francisco Guides
- Top Categories
- Explore San Francisco travel or check out Tours, Californian Cuisine, Boutique Hotels, Bars, and more on NileGuide. You can also check out top itineraries in San Francisco
