Restaurant reviews by FlightPlan

5/11/2007

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TONS OF BUGS IN SOUP!!! I just ate lunch there today with a friend - we both ordered the special shrimp and wonton soup. About half way through it, my friend says "Oh s**t. there are bugs in my soup. lots and lots of small bugs." I look - f**k. me too. Lots. Like over 30. I'm grossed out, but calm. So, we tell the waitress. She is completely unalarmed and says that "Oh. The bugs probably came from the vegetables - they are organic. I will tell them to wash them better next time." What? She leaves. She comes back and offers to comp one of our soups. I say "Why would I pay for any soup that is infested with bugs? That doesn't make any sense." She goes to talk to the manager. In the meantime, they serve the same soup to the guy sitting next to us. The same bug soup. The waitress returns and says that our soup is free. Nothing about it being nasty. Nothing about stopping other people from eating it. So I check the Health Dept Site. Score = 71. NASTY.

Citrus Club

Cuisine: Pan-Asian Noodle Shops

11/20/2006

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I love Herbivore - after going many times, I've learned to stick with the couple items that I love. Some other items are a bit bland. I order the red curry with brown rice ($9.50) and the indonesian noodle salad ($6.95).

Herbivore

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Mission

11/3/2006

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Huge points for Greens. You could go there for the view alone. A few years ago, my boyfriend was put on a special diet before he had surgery. No iodine. That's a tough one. We couldn't eat out for two months. Enter Greens restaurant to the rescue. I called ahead and told them our predicament. They said, 'No problem - tell us what he'd like off the menu and we will prepare it without salt for him ahead of time from scratch.' Really? Yep. And for that I am in love with Greens forever. And ever. I personally think the curry is the tastiest item on the menu.

Greens

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Marina

11/3/2006

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Bocce is just like cha cha cha in the haight or buco de beppo. You bring your group there and everyone is full and intoxicated - yet the bill comes and it's $25 per person. You can't beat that. It is also a great choice for out of towners who aren't really foodies after a long day of touring. It was perfect for my 10 and 8 year old nieces - who really just want spagetti with butter and for my brother-in-law who drinks Coors Light.

Bocce Cafe

Cuisine: Italian

North Beach

11/3/2006

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Yuck. Go to el castillito half a block up towards duboce. It's 10xs better.

Azteca Tacqueria

Cuisine: Mexican

11/3/2006

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I have to give Benihana major points for nostalgia's sake. Like many other reviewers, I had almost every birthday party growing up at a Japanese grill restaurant. I love the old celebrity photos on the wall - none of whom I recognize. The weird old high school gymnasium-style bathroom. Go there with your coworkers for bonding event or a birthday party. Save room for the massive amounts of food they will pile on your plate. Is it great? No. But I never tire of the chef's onion volcano or the shrimp tail tossing. Who cares if half of the chefs are hispanic, rather than Japanese. It's a national chain - it's not supposed to be authentic. That's like complaining that Taco Bell is not authentic mexican. Just enjoy it for what it is. Entertainment dining.

Benihana

Cuisine: Japanese Sushi

Japantown

11/3/2006

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Everyone knows that the only people who like the marina are people who live in the marina. And well, I don't. But when that friend from college who lives on Union street invites me to go to dinner, I go directly to Betelnut. The food is great and it will make everyone happy. Just curl up in a booth and ignore the world around you. There are some great dishes and I think it's really worth a visit. Then get the hell out of there.

Betelnut Pejiu Wu

Cuisine: Pan-Asian

Cow Hollow

11/3/2006

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I lived in Thailand for a bit and could eat Thai food every night. There are a lot of OK Thai places in the city but really only a few standouts (Marnee Thai, Khan Toke and Thep Phanom). Khan Toke has the best ambience (dates, groups), Marnee Thai has the best food but is cramped, Thep Phanom has great food and good ambience. If you like fish and are eating with a few people, try the whole fish with it's dramatic presentation #52: Masaya Phi-Rhod (Deep fried Tilapia fish in spicy and sour sauce). Also try the soup: Tom Yum Goong and #44:Kiew Warn Gai (Sliced chicken in spicy green curry paste with zucchini and basil), #61: Gai Pad Khing (Sautéed chicken with fresh ginger, onions and dried mushrooms)

Thep Phanom Thai Cuisine

Cuisine: Thai

Lower Haight

11/3/2006

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This is where I would go if I wanted to be roofied by an investment banker. Ewww. Nothing like showing up at a bar at 5 only to find all of the guys have been drunk since 3. I only go here to remember why I moved from the East coast in the first place.

Royal Exchange

Cuisine: Burgers Brew

Embarcadero

11/2/2006

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All of the Cole Valley Francophiles love this place, but it drives me nuts - because there is nothing that I can eat on the menu. Maybe that's because I can't eat dairy and it's french. It's not you, it's me. However, the bread is so good, it makes up for all of the french cafe b.s. that you have to put up with to eat here. Prepare yourself for a french stroller set. If that's your thing.

Boulange de Cole

Cuisine: French Bakeries Dessert

11/2/2006

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So tasty. Get the Mediterranean dishes like the gyro plate. Lots of veggie options, too. This would be my recommended place for easy, delicious haight street food. They also have ample, comfortable seating - which is a bit unusual on haight street.

Blue Front

Cuisine: Middle Eastern Bistro

11/2/2006

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The food is excellent - just prepare yourself for some bizarro ambience. It's a two person run joint and so it is slow. Sometimes the man will tell you want to order - could be annoying if you didn't know what you were getting into. He's trying to be helpful - don't be afraid to order what you want. Honestly, the food is really delicious. Give it a try.

New Ganges Restaurant

Cuisine: Indian Vegetarian

11/2/2006

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Most people don't know this, but they have food and a HUGE deck outside. It's the nicest place to sit in Cole Valley - way better than the deck at Zazie and no wait. The breakfast is so so , but the Tuna and white bean salad for lunch is awesome.

Reverie Coffee Cafe

Cuisine: American (New) Coffee Shop

11/2/2006

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I love it but my BF is a vegetarian and they have almost nothing for him. It's better than bar food. People are always surprised by their menu. Lamb burger is great. Specials are great.

Kezar Bar and Restaurant

Cuisine: American

11/2/2006

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So good. Carnitas burrito. I love how they heat the meat before they put it on the burrito. Yummy.

El Castillito

Cuisine: Mexican

11/2/2006

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You better be drunk when you go here. It's awesome. Try it sober on the other hand and you'll wonder if you should stop drinking. One of a handful of 24 hr places in the city - so who really cares about food quality.

Sparky's Diner

Cuisine: Diner

11/2/2006

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I dream of the ginger cake. Mmmm. Fish of the week. Yummy. Whenever I was stuck late at work, I used to call ahead and order the 1/2 chicken and mashed potatoes. Nothing makes you feel better about getting home late than a glass of wine and some comfort food. Plus I love the servers here so much. Nicest in the whole city - no joke. Extra bonus - if there is a wait, you can go next door to the Pilsner Inn and grab a beer and they will come get you. Not for the homophobic - but what the hell are they doing in the castro anyway. Or San Francisco.

Chow

Cuisine: American (Traditional)

11/2/2006

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Love it. It's hot and cheap. Chicken and potatoes. I love you. moroccan lentil - so so. eggplant - yummy. major plus is that they list all the ingredients so you can always find something to meet your needs. Good option for veggies and vegans and carnivores alike.

Peasant Pies

Cuisine: Bakeries

11/2/2006

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Whatever. I never have anything great there but the portions are huge. Big plus for people with babies and strollers cause they've got tons of room outside and a separate bathroom with a changing table. Ain't bad but it ain't great.

Savor

Cuisine: Mediterranean

11/2/2006

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All time favorite breakfast place. But it's also everyone else's. It only seats a few people inside - be prepared to wait it out. The service may seem a bit surly - but the waitresses grow on you over time. They are serious professional who get people in and out. I love the bran muffins and the egg dishes. The salads are great options for lunch.

Chloe's Cafe

Cuisine: American (Traditional)

11/2/2006

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Mmmmm. So tasty. Be prepared for a painful wait. Just don't show up starving and you'll be in heaven.

Hamano Sushi

Cuisine: Japanese Sushi

11/2/2006

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Mixed bag - the service is slow and a bit snotty, but it's french so perhaps that's the way it is meant to be. The have beautiful fruit plates and delicious breakfast potatos. All of their portion sizes are bit big and pricey. It would be better if they added a couple of lighter items to the menu.

Le Zinc

Cuisine: French (Bistro) Tapas

11/2/2006

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Neighborhood gem. The prix fix is the way to go.

Firefly

Cuisine: Eclectic

11/2/2006

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These are the best burgers in the city.

Barney's Gourmet Hamburger

Cuisine: Hamburgers

11/2/2006

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It's really the best in the neighborhood for noodle soups and rice dishes. I would recommend other places for sushi - but for noodles - this is it

Mifune

Cuisine: Japanese Noodle Shops

Japantown

11/2/2006

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I took a friend here to celebrate her new job and we both had delicious food here. I didn't love the way the tables were packed together. It makes it hard to have a private conversation. I think you can get better bang for your buck at other places but the food was so so good. Dates or Special evening out.

Limon

Cuisine: Peruvian

Mission

11/2/2006

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Everyone loves Chow - which is why it's such a pain in the butt to get a table. It's a cheap and diverse menu. It's definitely the easiest place in the city to take someone if you don't know their eating habits. The servers at Chow are probably the nicest in the whole city.

Park Chow

Cuisine: American (Traditional)

Inner Sunset

11/2/2006

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The food is fine, but the outdoor seating is the best. Great place to read the Sunday paper. I wouldn't recommend the outside seating for people who hate smoke. The tables are packed pretty tight and that's definitely one of the appeals of the place.

Cafe Flore

Cuisine: American (Traditional)

Castro

11/2/2006

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I love Home. I've taken small groups there for birthdays and special events and have always had excellent service. I love the pot roast - it melts in your mouth. Great home cooking. They have some excellent specials depending on the night of the week - I love the fried chicken. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation on OpenTable. If you just show up, the wait might ruin your experience.

Home

Cuisine: American (Traditional)

Castro

11/2/2006