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Clubmonaco hit this one on the head, but I will second the emotion. Good place if you are starved and stuck in Japantown mall, and just want some "grub". Food has influences of American and Italian, mixed with Japanese, in a diner setting. I had some shrimp tempura that were balanced in a tipi over a bed of rice covered in a fried egg, surrounded by Japanese curry sauce and dusted with parmigiana cheese and garnished with little cubed tomatos. Sounds atrocious, but it was really tasty, and filling and fairly cheap. This is the place for japanese curry if you are into it, although for the uninitiated, be prepared for something different.
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On The Bridge
Cuisine: Japanese Coffee Shops/Diners
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Japantown |
3/29/2007
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Well crafted Italian food in an elegant but relaxed environment. What could be bad? We were there for a large birthday party, so were limited to a pre-fixe, but it was great. Started with a nice mixed greens, then shared a fantastic steak with balsamic reduction, and a breaded chicken breast stuffed with fontina, speck ham and some lovely mushrooms. I would eat both choices again, but next time I go I want to save room for their famous risotto (which changes daily and is supposedly the city's best). Really nice tiramisu and chocolate hazelnut cake capped the meal. There was great red wine throughout as well.
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Ristorante Bacco
Cuisine: Italian
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Noe Valley |
3/29/2007
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Maybe they are finally hitting their stride, but I gotta go against the grain and give a thumbs up. Location is on Market, between T-loin and downtown, so not great, but an oasis once you are inside. Chic distressed interior (maybe a little dark), solid dinnertime grooves coming from the DJ booth, and well mixed c***tails and good microbrews on tap. Sweetpotato fries were awesome, catfish was amazing, maple braised pork shoulder was something I'd go back for, jambalaya was very good, if not too spicy (and I like spice), and the fried chicken was definitely mediocre. All in all, we were far too stuffed to try dessert, so that can't be all bad, right? Will definitely return for another round.
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Farmerbrown
Cuisine: Soul Food
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Downtown |
3/29/2007
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The place is clean, and cheery, lots of flavors to choose from. Not a bad choice if you are in the neighborhood and are in the mood for gelato. Compared to other gelato I have had however, this rates pretty poorly, although it is not that bad in and of itself. The ingredients are clearly of the cheaper variety here. If you want the real deal, try one of the Naia locations throughout the Bay for an outstanding example of how it is supposed to taste (2 locations in Berkeley, one in the Castro, several others). I would not willingly go back to Yoogo.
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Yoogo Gelato
Cuisine: Dessert Gelato Crepes
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Chinatown |
2/6/2007
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I have to go neutral. Single malt list is extensive, and the decor is nice (sleek, mixed between earthy woods and industrial metals, dramatic lighting), they have bottle lockers for your whiskey, and it's a nice place for a drink in general. We were underwhelmed by the food. Despite the nice whiskey selection, my first pour had a piece of rice sitting in the bottom of the glass. Yikes. The food: Started with wakame salad which was pretty standard. Toro/avocado carpaccio was rich and creamy, but lacked flavor entirely. Grilled lamb (robata - japanese bbq - is a section of the menu) had a very nice charred flavor, but not much flavor beyond that. Meat was rubbery. "Uni on a spoon" was the highlight - lovely generous portion (2 lobes) of uni topped with scallion, caviar, touch of ponzu and a squeeze of lime. I have never had uni and was warned by friends that it can either make you or break you. I fell in love, so they did something right. We finished with salmon sashimi, also standard.
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Nihon
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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SoMa |
2/5/2007
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We started with a scallop lollipop app (suggested in a review I read). The description was of a tempura scallop on a stick, over a parsnip puree. It was actually bacon-wrapped and then fried, and over mashed potatoes. I feel sorry for the angry pescetarians who will indulge in this and be left with a mouth full of pancetta. The tempura was soggy, the pancetta was flavorless, and the scallop was 100% raw (which was ok, but I don’t think it was intentional). Scallops were large, so we cut them in half, but the rubbery pancetta got in the way, and everything turned out to be a mess. The mash underneath it was earthy and lovely. Salmon sashimi which sat aloft a Peruvian chile sauce and a yuzu reduction, accompanied by little shards of ponzu gelatin was amaaaazing. Mains: tempura with broth and buckwheat soba (yawn) and miso glazed cod over “roasted seasonal vegetables” (which were soggily sautéed fajita veggies). I enjoyed the cod, but it was not my favorite incarnation.
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Barracuda
Cuisine: Japanese Brazilian Sushi
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Castro |
1/30/2007
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Amazing Vietnamese food, best in Oakland. As others have said, the place us HUGE, and a bit of a food factory. The staff is trained for efficiency only. So even if there is a long line, usually you can get seated quite quickly. And even though they are serving several hundred tables, you still get your food quickly. They are a well oiled machine, but also with machine-like service. But importantly, the food is delicious, generously portioned, and affordable. Clay pot dishes, curries, rice plates, vermicelli dishes are all perfectly executed and extremely tasty. Highly recommended.
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Le Cheval
Cuisine: French Vietnamese
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Oakland |
1/29/2007
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I think this one slips through a lot of radars. I myself had walked past it a million times before I realized how interesting the menu looked. We went early, so it was empty, and the waitress was super friendly and very happy to tell us exactly what her favorites were, all winners. The tortino di porcini was a savory flan, covered with porcini mushrooms a cream, very unique and incredible. Also the lamb shank over polenta was superb. There were several other braised meat offerings that I wanted to sample as well, we will have to go back. We added a salad and the pumpkin ravioli (they serve only fresh pastas made on site), everything was special. One of the better Italian experiences I have had in SF.
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Il Cantuccio
Cuisine: Italian
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Mission |
1/25/2007
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Everything in this place is yummy. Excellent bakery, from the loaves, to the cakes, to the sandwiches. This is one of the best choices in all of Noe Valley.
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Noe Valley Bakery & Bread Co
Cuisine: Bakeries
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Noe Valley |
1/25/2007
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I live directly across the street, so it is hard for me to resist ordering from here (I can actually see when my order is ready, sitting on their counter, from my window), so I do dine here. But gotta go neutral. Nothing is bad, but nothing is outstanding. There is a weird sense that things are either really fresh, or not so fresh. The produce is great, and they don't overcook their veggies, like so many Thai joints, but I always feel like the chicken they use is not top notch, or maybe not marinated properly (always a pet peave of mine to have a really flavorful curry or stirfry interrupted by a flavorless piece of chicken). Have also had a very poor papaya salad here, the shrimp was overmarinated and soggy, disintegrating, gross. I guess they are inconsistent. Very very nice folks though.
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Thai Chef
Cuisine: Thai Vegetarian
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Castro |
1/25/2007
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Love DeLessio. Basically has 2 aspects: a high end bakery with tons of chocolate goodies, and a brunch/lunch place in the form of an extensive hot/cold buffet that is charged by weight. Pricing is not cheap, and the buffet food is a little uneven. But overall, there are a lot of yummy choices (great salads, sometimes the meats are a little dried out from sitting to long, but they don't seem un-fresh by any means). Great pre-made sandwiches and grilled panini. But the shining star here is dessert, and specifically chocolate. They have about a dozen varieties of miniature chocolate cupcakes that are gorgeous and heavenly. They have some really impressive gravity- defying cakes (sure to impress company), and they sell "bubble wrap"-shaped chocolate bark in a number of flavors, all divine. Highly recommended.
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DeLessio Market & Bakery
Cuisine: Bakeries Italian Deli
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Civic Center |
1/25/2007
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The greasiest of the greasy spoons in the Castro. Food is not bad, but you gotta know what you are in for. There is not a single healthy item on the menu, but it is foolish to look for one. Standard diner and breakfast fare abound. Bonus that it is open 24 hours. Best for hangover meals.
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Orphan Andy's
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Castro |
1/24/2007
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Super famous downtown breakfast spot. Nothing to rave about. Standard diner fare, perhaps less greasy than a greasy spoon (but what's a greasy spoon without the...). Silver dollar pancakes are their fame-maker, but not sure what the big deal is. They're pancakes. They're small. Not memorable
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Sears Fine Foods
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Downtown |
1/23/2007
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Lovely chocolate joint. Many varieties of hot chocolate, which is more of the European style (think cup of actual melted chocolate, thinned out slightly with warm frothy milk). The spicy version is my favorite, has a nice cinnamon chile kick (maybe kicks too hard for some, but not for me). Brownie bites are deep, homemade marshmallows are sweet and doughy, but their cinnamon chocolate cake is worth the whole trip. I found that a piece of cake and a cup of hot chocolate just blew my pallette and didn't allow me to enjoy either to its full extent, so I suggest the cake with a glass of milk, or a cup of hot chocolate all by its lonesome. Place itself is cute, staffed by toocoolforschool young hipsters, and other than the fresh goods, sells overpriced high end choco bars and cookbooks.
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Bittersweet Chocolate Cafe
Cuisine: Desserts Coffee Shop
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Pacific Heights |
1/23/2007
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B-O-R-I-N-G. If you don't know what real noodles taste like, you might enjoy this spot. It has the sheen of a commercial chain, and the accompanying lack of flavor. I tried every dish at our table, and I could not tell you what any one of them was even supposed to be. Skip it and make some noodles at home.
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Zao Noodle Bar
Cuisine: Noodle Shop Pan-Asian
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Palo Alto |
1/23/2007
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Very decent for a mall food spot. A bit on the greasy side, but very tasty. The kal-bi was a little tough, but the spicy chicken was superb, and worth a re-visit. The kimchi and the side vegetable choices were really lousy. This place is best for meat, rice and noodles.
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Sorabol
Cuisine: Korean Barbecue bbq
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Downtown |
1/23/2007
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By far the most appealing of the choices at the Westfield downtown SF mall food court. This is a "fast" food version of the famous Slanted Door nuevo Vietnamese hot spot on the Embarcadero. I had the carmelized prawns rice plate, and it was superb, just like the main restaurant, but the portion was abysmally small, and it wasn't super cheap. Decor is very nice, and they offer some interesting boutique sodas in exotic flavors, and there is a small market to encourage taking the Vietnamese influence into your own kitchen. They also offer raw, prepped versions of their menu choices to-go, with recipe instructions packaged. Interesting concept, though I wasn't sold on the $ value of it. I will return for sure, but hopefully I can find a more filling choice on the menu.
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Out the Door
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Downtown |
1/23/2007
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Definitely not legit thai food. But half-way decent for mall food court food. Basil chicken was once very decent and tasty, second time was rubbery. So consistency is not there. String beans were not bad. Very large portions, although not supercheap, it is cheap enough. Given some of the poor choices at the Westfield food court, it is not too terrible.
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Coriander Gourmet Thai Kitchen
Cuisine: Thai
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Downtown |
1/23/2007
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Almost went neutral because the pricing is completely bananas, waaay too expensive. But the food and drink are really very good. Extensive list of tequilas, excellent margaritas as well as some tasty cocktails (mojitos and caipirinhas were nice). Foodwise, although the taco app was small, it was incredibly tasty, and I would return for it. Calamari crudo app was gorgeous (several people at my table took photos of it) and really nice and fresh. Tableside custom-made guacamole didn't last more than 30 seconds amongst my friends. Crab tamale was superduper. We didn't venture into the main courses, but they looked equally enticing. There were about 10 other things I wanted to order, but they will have to wait. When I am feeling wealthy, I will definitely go back. This is upscale Mexican done right, which is not often.
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Zazil
Cuisine: Mexican Seafood
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Downtown |
1/23/2007
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My current vote for best taqueria in the city. The guys who work there are friendly, the place is bright and clean, and the food is incredible. There is something magic in their chorizo, so if you are a fan, this is your spot. Recently had a fish burrito as I am trying to cut down on the red meat, and I didn't miss a thing. The fish was fresh, chopped up before my eyes, pan sauteed, then charred on the grill. Fantastic. Carne asada and chicken are exceptional as well. Roasted tomato salsa is very nice. Highly highly recommended.
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El Castillito
Cuisine: Mexican
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Upper Market/Church Street |
1/23/2007
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Tasty tasty sandwiches on fresh baked bread. Turkey curry 'wich was their crowning achievement, but I think they actually removed it from the menu. Not to be skipped are their fresh made cookies in a dozen varieties. Many come solely for the cookies, and with good reason.
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Specialty's Cafe & Bakery
Cuisine: Bakeries Deli
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Downtown |
1/23/2007
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This place is a bit overwhelming. Service is exceptional and a notable part of the evening. All courses and selections come in 3 different preparations, so there is much to taste. Sashimi was excellent and paired with very unique sauces and pickles, kobe steak, duck, scallops, snapper and lamb (all unsurprising offerings at a restaurant of this caliber) are visited with absolutely exquisite preparations, novel flavor pairings and flawless and beautiful presentations. It seems that their kitchen is unmatched in the volume of quality preparations they need to turn out in one evening, even just for our party of 8. Even though the portions seem appropriately sized, and even though I arrived quite hungry, I found myself begging for mercy by the end of the evening. It was all a bit too much.
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Michael Mina Restaurant
Cuisine: American (New)
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Downtown |
1/23/2007
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2 sandwiches and a soda was $27, so nuff said. Purely from a taste standpoint it was excellent. Sandwich 1 was a tomato braised pork with melted jack(?) and greens on ciabatta. Sandwich 2 was duck rillettes with fig balsamic glaze and greens on focaccia. Portions of meat were nice (often not the case in upscale sandwich joints) and both were succulent, well balanced between meaty/earthy and fruity/acidy. Can't say I am hodling my breathe til I return, but thumbs up nonetheless.
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Lulu Petite
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Embarcadero |
1/23/2007
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Very good german food. Often overcrowded and not many tables, so sometimes you need to wait in a not too comfortable corner. Laid back decor, german posters and paraphernalia on the walls. Lovely German beers on the menu and ladies running the joint. The service is very friendly, and maybe a little goofy. Good chopped salad, excellent house-cured salmon, various schnitzels and sausages all passed muster. A dried cherry stuffed chicken breast in cream sauce is outstanding. However, the first time I ordered it, it was RAW in the middle, which is an absolute capital crime in any restaurant. But it was so damn good, that it didn't shake me, and I dug hungrily into the second (properly-cooked) portion that they brought out. Recommended!
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Walzwerk
Cuisine: German
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Mission |
1/23/2007
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Love it love it love it. Really cute and homey decor. You might get place at a long communal picnic table, or a more romantic 2-top in the back. Boatloads of great German beer selections is reason enough to go, but there is no skimping on the food. If you are a fan of German food, this place is tops. Huge hearty salad was nice, bread dumpling in mushroom sauce was amaaaaaaaazing, and you must must must have the grilled cured pork chop. I could eat this chop every week for the rest of my life. It is that good. Lots of loud soccer fans create the atmosphere, but it is worth it for the beer and food to endure
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Suppenkuche
Cuisine: German
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Hayes Valley |
1/23/2007
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My girl brought me hear for my birthday and I fell in love again. This place is tiny and cute and not to be missed. About twenty different flavors of little lumpy cacao dusted heaven drops sitting in a case that I want to crawl into and roll around in. Flavors change often. Pricing is fair but not cheap. Full service espresso bar rounds the place out. Passes all chocolate-snobbery tests.
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xox Truffles
Cuisine: Dessert
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North Beach |
1/23/2007
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The owner is one of the foremost experts on tequila on the planet - no kidding. So needless to say, as a tequila bar and margarita joint, this place is flawless. But it is very crowded and noisy, in a sportsbar meets upscale concept restaurant kind of way. The food is focused on a particular regional mountain Mexican cuisine and is very warm and satisfying. Everything is served family style, with fresh warm tortillas and several accompanying sides. The meats are nicely roasted and there are some surprise flavors peppering the dishes that make them unique to this restaurant. If you are a fan of Mexican food, this place offers a refreshing perspective.
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Tres Agaves
Cuisine: Mexican
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Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
1/23/2007
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This is really a fresh fish store in the Sunset, with chefs hacking up the product into sushi delights. Only 3-4 tables, so takeout is sometimes necessary. They can also run out of sushi rice towards the end of the day, so be warned. Their poke-style sashimi is awesome - spicy chile oil smothered, generous serving, very good price, served with seaweed and raw onions (choice of 8 different fish). This poke with a bowl of rice alone is worth the visit. They also serve real-crab california rolls, other standard selections, and many not so common choices (uni and toro are always available). Also, they serve very good oysters on the halfshell for a buck and change (cheapest I have found). The varietal is not advertised, and they are on the larger, meatier side, but not to be missed. Very good place to pick up some fillets for cooking at home as well. This is my favorite sushi joint in the city.
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Yum Yum Fish
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Outer Sunset |
1/23/2007
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More hype than anything else. It does have a great view, and if you are around the area and want a burger and a beer, then it is a good choice. But honestly, the burgers are not so hot. Roll is too big and hard, burger is too thin, too much yellow mustard. Fries were average.
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Red's Java House
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
1/23/2007
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Can't say anything bad about this place, however I am not so blown away as everyone else. That said, they make a darn good cream puff (which, when chocolate-dipped, they call an eclair). I had a funny experience asking them for a freshly dipped eclair (the chocolate had not dried yet and was in a fridge to do so). They looked at me funny, and then said ok. I then watched the ensuing circus-like dance as every staff member attempted to handle the still-wet-chocolate-covered pastry, get it filled with cream, and not get themselves covered in the chocolate. They all failed. One of them almost dropped it on the floor. But it made it safely to me in a bag, which promptly stole most of my chocolate from me when I removed it from this bag. It was not a well-conceived idea. But hey, there is nothing like hot melted chocolate. I apparently had my entire face covered by it once I was done devouring it.
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Beard Papa
Cuisine: Japanese Bakeries
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Downtown |
1/23/2007
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I have had the good fortune of working nearby and being able to easily drop in for a go. However, this place is worth driving out of the city for. Absolutely enormous sandwiches (smaller size is more than a meal, larger is more than two meals for a normal sized person). Standard deli choices are augmented with their signature garlic and chile spreads. My hands down favorite is their buffalo chicken, cutlets of buffalo marinated breaded chicken, covered in melted jack cheese and ranch dressing, with all the fixings. I will order the large and eat it for days, smiling all the way. A must-go for any sandwich lover.
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Little Lucca Sandwich Shop
Cuisine: Deli
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South San Francisco |
1/23/2007
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Newly renovated gem, extremely romantic decor, upscale french-inspired Cal cuisine. Foie gras was superb, corn and crab chowder was decent but not inspired. Scallop appetizer was great. Duck, short ribs and salmon were all lovely. Service was friendly and approachable. Dessert was overdone and oversweet and clearly not their forte, but the rest of the meal was quite nice.
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Cafe Majestic
Cuisine: American (New)
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Pacific Heights |
1/23/2007
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Totally ridiculous (ridiculously bad, for those who were not sure). Uber-shiny and cheezy decor plus conversationblockingly-loud pounding techno made me feel like I was in a bad nightclub, which I guess it sort of is. The food is very overpriced, and tries to take classic chinese offerings and fancypantsify them for a buck. You'd be better off getting the real thing on Clement Street or in Chinatown for 1/4 the price. Some stuff was actually completely mis-prepared (way oversalted, soggy, or cold), others were stunningly boring, and some things that had huge potential (char siu bass) were interesting but could not possibly save the day. Skip it. Skip it. Skip it.
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Sino
Cuisine: Chinese
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San Jose |
1/23/2007
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I am on a vegetarian kick (which for anyone who knows me is almost an oxymoron, unless you mean "kicking a vegetarian"), so I thought Indian would be a good choice, and Dosa is all the rage now. Took quite a while to get seated, and the bartender couldn't even stop to look at me while he poured my wine, but other than that, it was a great meal. Had a mung bean salad that was fresh and unusual and had a nice chile kick to it, followed by their Masala Dosa. Essentially this was a huge crispy featherweight crepe that was stuffed with curried potatoes and served with 3 different dipping sauces of varying heat and flavorfulness. The tomato based sauce was best, and the coconut sauce was a little too mild (in both heat and flavor). But overall, it was a very tasty and unique meal. I have heard their curries are great, so I will definitely return.
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Dosa
Cuisine: Indian
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Mission |
1/23/2007
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Heard about this hole in the wall from so many people that I finally dropped in. I have walked by it about a million times, and maybe it should have been a million in one. OK, it wasn't that bad, but the curried noodle thing I had I probably could have made myself and tastier (albeit not in 30 seconds, which is about how long it took). And it is superduper cheap. So if you are looking for supercheapsuperfastnoodles, this might be right for you. I myslef am going to work on my speednoodlecooking skills instead...
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Yamo
Cuisine: Burmese
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Mission |
1/23/2007
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An A for effort, but B+ overall. Disclaimer: This is a brunch review, so maybe it is not their strong point. Decor is well designer (dark wood veneer everything with cool art on the walls), staff was extremely friendly and talkative. Started with coffee and their donut-holes, which were little pillows of fried sugarycinnamony goodness. My duck hash with poached eggs was truly exceptional (eggs poached into little cloud shapes, oyster mushroom reduction could be bottled) but everything else ran short. French toast was better than good (pecan encrusted), but when you've had Home's James Beard's version (best in the city), you'll know why it wasn't tops. Oyster poboy and some Mexican egg scramble thing ordered by others were several shades of boring. You can tell they care about food, but maybe not so much about brunch. Service was quite slow as well. After all is said and done, I would still try their dinner menu.
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Maverick
Cuisine: American (New)
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Mission |
1/23/2007
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Hot stuff! Really love this place. Atmosphere is quaint and romantic, and the food is exceptional and unique. A member of our group knew the chef, but as opposed to special treatment, it just meant we could taste more things affordably. We essentially ate our way through the entire menu, and there were no misses. The menu is very seasonal and changes often. Accent is on fresh regional Cal cuisine, but a tendency away from trendy items you might see elsewhere. It is one of those spots where you will have a hard time choosing. Go with friends and order everything. And for my Jewish brethren: apparently they serve a mean Passover meal! Can't beat that.
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Firefly
Cuisine: Eclectic
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Noe Valley |
1/23/2007
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Great new Western Addition spot. This is the old Storyville location. The new owners have completely revamped the interior (southeast asian zen teahouse vibe), and even knocked out the front brick wall and installed huge windows to allow natural light to spill inwards and illuminate the renovations. The fare is asian/southeast asian street cart food revamped by a Californian cuisinier. Well priced ahi poke, dumplings, sake infused deep fried shrimp, new approaches to sate and green curry mussels, and some unusual fare like bone marrow. Presentation is immaculate, pricing is very fare, and consistently delicious. But that just covers the food! Poleng is also a tea house/sake bar, and they have invented some really original cocktails. They use top shelf sake, mixed with fresh fruit purees, and infused with fine tea. If you linger, you will more than likely find yourself at one of the nightly club events hosted on the dance floor in the back. Good spot for dinner, drinks and dancing.
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Poleng
Cuisine: Southeast Asian
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Western Addition |
7/26/2006
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What can I say that hasn't already been said? Amazingly fresh oysters. Don't skip the kumamotos. They also have some really nice microbrews on tap. We had to wait a while to get an outdoor table, but the man at the helm was very attentive, made sure we had drinks and breadsticks to keep us in tow during the wait. Once our table had reached our fill, we ended up forcing another dozen on ourselves because it was so hard to resist...
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Hog Island Oyster Company
Cuisine: Oysters Seafood American (Traditional)
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Embarcadero |
7/26/2006
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Welcome new addition to the Mission. Fits into the same area of the spectrum as Delfina. Finely and carefully crafted modern cuisine. Beautiful space and friendly service. Asparagus salad was delicious, clams with sausage starter was deeply flavorful, if not a little heavy on the salt. Lamb tenderloin was perfect, skatewing was delicious, but strangely, also too salty. No points against though, as the flavors were big and there is just a great feeling about the place. I think the salt issue may have just been a minor misstep. I will give them many more chances to perfect everything. Chocolate bergamot souffle with early grey craime anglaise was ammmmazing. We ordered 2 since we refused to share, and it was the right idea...
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Range
Cuisine: American (New)
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Mission |
3/6/2006
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Excellent modern Latin fusion food in the Mission. It's very packed, and can be a bit noisy, but it's worth it. Mixed ceviche was excellent, and the portion was very generous. Seafood and rice main course (like a paella) was incredible. Duck leg, prepared more in a classic french style, was also very good. Highly recommended.
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Limon
Cuisine: Peruvian
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Mission |
12/14/2005
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Had a great bento box lunch here. $10 is steep for lunch, but it's very specialized cuisine, and very fresh. Still could be cheaper. Sweet chili chicken ball was nice, but nothing extraordinary. Fried shrimp cake was excellent. Seaweed salad was very light, but very earthy and lovely. Spinach salad with sesame dressing was simple but satisfying, and the wasabi mashed potatoes with soybeans was very good and filling. Not a showstopper, but worth a try.
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DELICA rf-1
Cuisine: Japanese Deli
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Embarcadero |
11/27/2005
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I've been wanting to go for while, but kept hearing very varied reviews. Finally took the plunge and it was great. Basically all kabobs are grilled the same way with veggies, and minimal marinade, then served with an accompanying sauce for dipping, and a starch. We had lamb and shrimp kabobs, and our sauces were pesto and coconut. The shrimp were good, and the lamb was surprisingly excellent. Very tender and flavorful. The sauces were understated but not unflavorful. We had an herbed couscous on the side which was amazing.
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Asqew Grill
Cuisine: Californian
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Castro |
11/27/2005
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I was expecting perfection, and was disappointed, but realistically it was still very good. Started with 2 excellent starters/salads. A chickpea salad was surprisingly complex and bright, the yellow beet salad was perfect. 2 glasses of really excellent pinot gris accompanied our clam pie (simple thin crust tomatoe pizza with little neck clams, minimal cheese) which was the main letdown. The pizza was very salty, and the crust had nice texture but zero flavor. I will definitely go back because I have so much faith in Delfina.
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Pizzeria Delfina
Cuisine: Pizza
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Mission |
11/27/2005
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Good but not grand. Cute spot, very nice staff. EVERYTHING is wrapped in bacon (ok, like 60% of the menu), which is not necessarily a bad thing, but I would have liked to have seen more variance in the chef's choice of secondary flavors. Bacon-wrapped scallops app was very good, but heavy on the salt. Bacon-wrapped meatloaf was good, but not special, came topped with a turkey-gravy type sauce which seemed an odd pair (at least a darker roux would have been more appropriate). Salmon was excellent (came atop a spinach and bacon salad, no joke). Freshly fried cinnamon donut dessert came highly recommended and was overbearingly large in portion size (could have served 4 easily), and tasted like fried dough from a county fair. The accompanying vanilla bourbon sauce was amazing, but couldn't quite save the show...
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Sauce
Cuisine: Comfort Food
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Hayes Valley |
11/27/2005
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Just went to Iluna by way of an SFSurvey prize (thanks SFS!) and had a great time. Iluna is an upscale tapas joint, and a welcome addition to North Beach. The food was great but not perfect. And I may have been swayed a bit by the fact that our meal was basically half-price. Good Margaritas and cocktails (try the Jaqueline). We had the shrimp skewers (very good), crab croquettes (excellent), scallops (divine), asparagus (interesting - very overcooked, but purposely so), eggplant (cheese topping was a little heavy), spinach and goat cheese tortilla (tortilla is a pie, not a flatbread. this was not so hot, skip it), and the olive and chorizo empanada (excellent, but very strong in olive flavor). All in all a good meal, and a nice alternative to the rest of the neighborhood's offerings.
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Iluna Basque
Cuisine: French Spanish
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North Beach |
8/12/2005
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This is a great Indian restaurant. This is our spot for a regular gathering, and I have never been disappointed. If you have a large group, you can request a table in the back room and often you will have it to yourself. Everything I have had has been solid: samosas, curries, vegetarian, and breads. Love the Indian beer as well.
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Indian Oven
Cuisine: Indian
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Lower Haight |
6/15/2005
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This is a must-visit for every carnivore. Arguably the best burgers in the city. They are huge and the meat is world class. You can clearly taste the difference.
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Burgermeister
Cuisine: Hamburgers Niman Ranch beef
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Castro |
6/15/2005
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This is a must-visit for every carnivore. Arguably the best burgers in the city. They are huge and the meat is world class. You can clearly taste the difference.
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Burgermeister
Cuisine: Hamburgers Niman Ranch Beef
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
6/15/2005
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Very decent pasta/noodle joint. Sort of a fusion alternative to Pasta Pomodoro, with asian and southwestern-inflected dishes. Try the corkscrew pasta. I would skip the calimari, it was not so hot. Good cocktails (lots of flavored martinis). Cheap.
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Fuzio
Cuisine: Eclectic Noodle Shops
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Embarcadero |
6/15/2005
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Very decent pasta/noodle joint. Sort of a fusion alternative to Pasta Pomodoro, with asian and southwestern-inflected dishes. Good cocktails (lots of flavored martinis). Cheap.
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Fuzio
Cuisine: Eclectic
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Marina |
6/15/2005
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Diner/deli styled after NY delis, with overstuffed NY style jewish deli sandwiches, unfortunately lacks the flavor of a NY deli. Menu is enormous, and everything is decent, but nothing is worth remembering. Not a bad spot for a cheap sandwich before a movie at the Opera Plaza though.
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Max's Opera Cafe
Cuisine: Deli Dessert
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Civic Center |
6/15/2005
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Good coffeehouse/sandwich shop type joint. They are known for their crepes which are overstuffed and decent but not grand. Sandwiches are good, breakfest is good as well. Nothing to rave about, but very solid fare. Note: great coffeecake.
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Squat and Gobble
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners American (Traditional)
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
6/15/2005
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Decent 50s diner. Everything is a bit greasier than it needs to be, and a dollar more than it should be. But it's open really late, so often its the best option for a late night burger fix.
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Mel's Drive-In
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Marina |
6/15/2005
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Decent 50s diner. Everything is a bit greasier than it needs to be, and a dollar more than it should be. But it's open really late, so often its the best option for a late night burger fix.
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Mel's Drive-In
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Inner Richmond |
6/15/2005
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Excellent greasy spoon diner fare. Their sign outside claims to have the best hot cakes in SF, and they are really good, but not the best the city has to offer. Go to Kate's for the best pancakes.
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It's Tops Coffee Shop
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Upper Market/Church Street |
6/15/2005
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This is a must for all carnivores (although they have veg options!). Perfect cheesesteaks with tons of variations, fast service, great art on the walls, and DO NOT skip the garlic fries: perfect golden fries with a mountain of fresh garlic tossed in. Amazing. Review #6060
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Jay's Cheese Steak
Cuisine: Cheese Steaks
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Western Addition |
6/15/2005
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This place is way too noisy and crowded, but my complaints stop there. It's not fine dining, but the food is always good: coconut shrimp, mussels, plaintains and sangria are all very satisfying.
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Cha Cha Cha
Cuisine: Caribbean Tapas
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Mission |
6/15/2005
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Very trendy, night club-styled sushi joint. Quite expensive. Sushi is definitely good, but also not the best in the city. I think they overdo it on a lot of their rolls, and you can't taste the fish, which is a shame because they do have great fish. Worth a try, as you might find it a winner, but I have had some mixed experiences. There is a lot to choose from though...
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Blowfish, Sushi To Die For
Cuisine: Californian Japanese Sushi
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Mission |
6/15/2005
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This is sort of a fast food version of real Korean BBQ, but it's damn tasty and always fresh. I like it when I am extremely hungry and want food in 15 minutes or less. Try the Bi Bim Bop: tons of shredded fresh vegetables over rice, with a mountain of BBQ meat, topped with a fried egg and hot sauce. Sounds strange if you've never had it, but once you mash it all up together (proper technique) and dig in, you will be a convert.
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Hahn's Hibachi
Cuisine: Korean Barbecue bbq
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Inner Sunset |
6/15/2005
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Got to be the spoiler, again. I have never ever ever had anything at this place that was any good. Always the extremes: flavorless or overflavored. The flavorless stuff is, well, flavorless. The overflavored stuff is like a out of a recipe you'd find in a cooking digest at your local Safeway checkout counter. This stuff is not legit. Cheap though.
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Zao Noodle Bar
Cuisine: Noodles Shop Pan Asian
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Japantown |
6/10/2005
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SOOOOO noisy and sceney that is almost not worth it. Small plate offerings were completely mediocre. Nothing remotely unique about the menu. Some plates were tasteless, others were ok, but nothing memorable.
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Lux
Cuisine: Asian Pan-Asian Pacific Rim
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Marina |
6/10/2005
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Another decent choice for the Metreon movie-goer. Otherwise, I wouldn't go out of my way to go here. But there are some very decent noodle dishes, and I love their stir-fried long beans. Really tasty. If you need something lite, go for them and a a side of rice and you are set. Review #6063
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Long Life Noodle Company and Jook Joint
Cuisine: Asian Noodle
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SoMa |
6/10/2005
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Had some really good Asian fusion here. Family style menu, we had great prawn kabobs, stir fried filet mignon, seared scallops, bok choi and some other tasty bites. Everything was well prepared, and the lemon grass mojitos were amazing. A little pricey. Swanky decor.
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Bambuddha Lounge
Cuisine: Pan-Asian Vietnamese
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Tenderloin |
6/10/2005
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Very tasty mini chain of cafe/lunch/brunch spots. Known for their overstuffed crepes, but I think you should skip em. Great salads and sandwiches, very decent eggs benedict.
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Squat and Gobble
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners American (Traditional)
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Lower Haight |
6/10/2005
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Best sausages in the city. You can select from over a dozen varieties and customize it with some great toppings and condiments. They have a good selection of quality boutique sodas, or you can go next door for a beer. Great german potatoe salad too. This place is a real winner.
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Rosamunde Sausage Grill
Cuisine: Hot Dogs
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Lower Haight |
6/10/2005
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All the Lori's spots are the same - decent but not great 50s style diner. Nothing to talk about here, just standard diner fare, but at least it's open late and reliable.
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Lori's Diner
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Coffee Shops/Diners
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Downtown |
6/10/2005
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This place is like a sceney-er and pricier and fancier version of Chevy's. But the food is not bad, the portions are large, and the have an ENORMOUS tequila selection if that's your thing.
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Left at Albuquerque
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Eclectic International Mexican Seafood
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Cow Hollow |
6/10/2005
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One of the BEST breakfast spots in the city, bar none. Portions are HUGE, lots of veg-friendly options, but definitely serve it up for the carnivores. Ingredients are mostly organic, and the destination-maker for this spot are the CORNMEAL PANCAKES! To die for. Can be a bit of a wait on weekends...
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Kate's Kitchen
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Lower Haight |
6/10/2005
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Chow = great comfort food. Nothing is outstanding, but everything is really good. Salads, burgers, pastas, roasted meats, breakfast, you can't really miss. And they use really fresh ingredients. My recent visit for lunch I had a BLT w/avo and a lemonade, which doesn't sound grand, but the bacon was Niman Ranch and very thick, the lemonade was homemade and tinged with mint, so they pay attention to their details here. We had a great warm choco cake for dessert as well...
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Chow
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Upper Market/Church Street |
6/10/2005
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Wow, this is a must-visit. Very finely prepared Afghani cuisine, which takes hints from Indian, Moroccan, Persian fair, but it's definitely a unique culinary experience. Almost everything on the menu sounds unusual, but everything we tasted was simply delicious, and not necessarily a far cry from something you may have tried before in your life, but still unmistakeably unique. If that sounds vague, go try and see for yourself. Hard to put into words, but the bottom line is that the food is wonderful, and very reasonably priced. A superior option for North Beach.
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Helmand, The
Cuisine: Afghan
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North Beach |
6/10/2005
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Very solid Eritrean/Ethiopian food, and lots of live jazz makes this a fun destination.
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Rasselas Ethiopian
Cuisine: Ethiopian
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Western Addition |
6/10/2005
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Damn fine pizza. Deep dish, crust is cornmeal and medium thick. They pile the cheese on the bottom, then all the goodies, and tomatoe sauce over the top, so it looks like a deep tomatoe pie. Very delicious, and a complete departure from everything else available in SF proper. Very addictive as well, so beware. Highly recommended.
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Little Star Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
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Western Addition |
6/10/2005
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One of the best options for 24 hour dining in this area. Can be really packed late night on weekends serving to the apres-clubbing folks. Very solid diner fair and good breakfast, not nearly as greasy as other diners. Great people watching. Personal favorite is their spicy cajun chicken sandwich, it packs serious heat.
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Sparky's Diner
Cuisine: Diner
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Upper Market/Church Street |
6/10/2005
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This is not the best option for Indian in the city, but it is by FAR the cheapest. Sometimes I can't believe my eyes when I am paying. The food is very solid, try the Tikka Masala and the Tandoori is top notch, spicier than most I've had, particularly good with shrimp. Terrible neighborhood, so consider calling in and taking out.
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Naan n' Curry
Cuisine: Pakistani Indian
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Tenderloin |
6/10/2005
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Terrible neighborhood, greasy food, but damn good and damn cheap. Top quality hole-in-the-wall vietnamese joint.
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Tu Lan
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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SoMa |
6/10/2005
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Very sceney, very pricey club-owner-owned sushi bar. TV monitors playing anime, DJs spinning dance music sort of thing. The fish is good, but sometimes they try to get too fancy with their special rolls and lose the point. Interesting appetizer features ostrich carpaccio. Good cocktails.
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Sushi Groove
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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SoMa |
6/10/2005
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Lulu was my first favorite restaurant in SF. Used to come up from the peninsula every couple of months. They have amazing roasted meats (you can watch them spitfire all the cuts in their open kitchen), great pizzetas, oysters, pretty much everything is solid. Expansive dining room can be a little noisy, but it's a good scene. Highly recommended.
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Restaurant LuLu
Cuisine: Mediterranean French
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SoMa |
6/10/2005
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Decent spot for the Metreon movie goer. Standard diner offerings with a little extra grease on everything. Food is good, not great, but very satisfying if this is what you are in the mood for. 50s decor, with lots of photos of American Graffiti stills on the walls. Expresso shake and sunset burger are best.
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Mel's Drive-In
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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SoMa |
6/9/2005
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Very good neighborhood Thai joint, especially for this area. Try the thai omelette, sounds strange but quite tasty. Everything on the menu is solid.
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Manora's Thai Cuisine
Cuisine: Thai
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SoMa |
6/9/2005
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Very decent french bistro, with an inexpensive prix fixe option. The food is solid, but not the best in this class. That being said, it is still worth a visit. They have heated garden seating which is lovely, and the dining room is cute as well. One thing not to miss: side order of the potato croquettes - basically little balls of rich mashed potatoes that are then refried in duck fat! Lordy, thats good eats...
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Le Charm French Bistro
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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SoMa |
6/9/2005
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This is my favorite Indian in the city. As reasonably priced as any Indian spot that isn't a fast food joint, and the food is incredibly good. They have a nice lunch buffet which is not sketchy at all, and really great back garden seating. Highly recommended.
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India Garden
Cuisine: Indian
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SoMa |
6/9/2005
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Basically this is a tourist trap, but if you have a lot of mouths to feed and many of them are kids, then this is definitely the place for you. Every item on the menu is portioned to feed 6 or more (no joke). Everything is decent, nothing is great. Super cheesy decor, with every inch of the walls covered in Italian kitsch. Always crowded and noisy.
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Buca di Beppo
Cuisine: Italian
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SoMa |
6/9/2005
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My friend used to live next door and his entire apt building smelled like smoke all the time. That might be sound gross, but when the smoke is coming from Big Nates, it's a BBQ lovers dream home. Nates is old fashioned meaty, smoky goodness. The hot bbq sauce has plenty of tang, and everything gets served with slices of Wonderbread - perfect. The BBQ is really great, chicken, brisket, ribs, you name it. Cornbread is great too. Highly recommended.
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Big Nate's BBQ
Cuisine: Barbecue BBQ
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SoMa |
6/9/2005
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I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I think this is the best Thai in SF. The atmosphere is really beautiful (not like your standard neighborhood spot), but pricing is the same as a neighborhood spot, and the preparations are far nicer. Whole red snapper in red curry! Lamb stir fry! And don't miss out on the great cocktails. Highly recommended.
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Basil Thai Restaurant & Bar
Cuisine: Thai
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SoMa |
6/9/2005
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Food was pretty darn tasty, but super overpriced, and the decor is sort of like an 80s, cocaine kingpin bachelor pad gone horribly wrong. There is so much competition for this style of cuisine in SF, that I would skip this one. Go to Eos, or Slanted Door instead for French/Asian.
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Azie
Cuisine: French Asian
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SoMa |
6/9/2005
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This is an SF landmark. Directly on the water, this spot is best for a lazy weekend brunch in the sun. Decor is very outdoor, plastic deck furniture style. Famous for their bloody mary's, but i'm not sure why. The food is decent, hamburgers, salads, and breakfast, nothing to yell about. This place is much more about the atmosphere than anything else.
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The Ramp
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Hamburgers
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Potrero Hill |
6/9/2005
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Very decent home style thai food. Fresher than your average neighborhood joint, and there's a great tropical bar attached to it next door, to make an evening out of it.
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Thanya & Salee
Cuisine: Thai
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Potrero Hill |
6/9/2005
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My single favorite French bistro in the city, no one is even close. They focus on Provencale style cuisine and they have perfected it. There isn't a single miss on the entire menu, and in my 6 visits, I have tasted it all. Lunch is just as good, and a little less hectic, but it is always crowded. Try working your way just through all the appetizers, its a worthy journey. Mussels are amazing, as is the steak tartare, and they always have a bouillabaise-inspired dish which is amazing. You can go the steak-frites route here as well, and it's great, but you would be missing out on some of the more special flavors you can experience here. Very cute french staff too...
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Chez Papa Bistro
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Potrero Hill |
6/9/2005
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They don't take reservations which is silly, because that means you always have to wait. This place does French tapas and it does it well. Everything we had was sublime, but I have to focus on the lavender lamb chops. Don't miss out on them! One of the best spots in this neighborhood.
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Chez Nous
Cuisine: Mediterranean Small Plates
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Pacific Heights |
6/9/2005
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Great beer, and decent pub food. What more is there to say?
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Gordon Biersch
Cuisine: Pub Food
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Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
6/9/2005
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Very nice little French bistro. Offerings are simple, not overdone, but expertly prepared and very satisfying. Fresh fish offerings are highly recommended, and the duck is amazing. They have a daily prix fixe which was quite cheap, but it sells out quickly, so get there early. Even without the prix fixe, the pricing is extremely reasonable, this could be a weekly go-to spot (if i lived closer).
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Baker Street Bistro
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Cow Hollow |
6/9/2005
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This place is as old as SF itself. We waited on a line that stretched out the door (on Thursday in the afternoon!). There is only one long bar that seats about 15, so just get ready to wait. The extraordinarily friendly and talkative staff will eventually offer you wine or beer while you stand on line (you get the feeling that open container laws don't apply to them). We had clam chowder (very decent, but not the best i've had, but a worthy starter), crab cocktails (amazing), and an assortment of oysters (sublime, but the more I eat oysters, the more I think that it's worth only eating Kumamotos for the rest of my life). As we sat at the bar and watched one of the gentleman slicing fresh local smoked salmon for another customer, he could feel our eyes on him and he quickly offered up free samples to our eager mouths. Being a New York jew, I can safely say that their salmon is amongst the best on the planet (sorry Russ!). The wine they served us was amazing as well. Worth every penny.
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Swan Oyster Depot
Cuisine: Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
6/9/2005
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We were fortunate enough to be a lucky sfsurvey winner and visited saha. Lousy neighborhood, but in a nice hotel, the food at Saha is Arabian chic. Chef Mohammed (who came out to visit us during the meal to offer us friendly salutations) visits his native cuisine with modern flare. Simple dishes like roasted eggplant dips warm the soul, the salads are amazing, and the piece de resistance is the Crab Island, which is a tower (or island i guess) of phyllo-wrapped crab, wild mushrooms and other tasty morsels. Unique and fragrant and lovely. Also note they have a great prix-fixe which includes app, salad and main for $27, available all evening (unlike some spots that offer this sort of thing only earlier in the night). Highly recommended, and the decor is lovely. My girlfriend said that instead of feeling like we were in an Arab restaurant in SF, it felt a bit like we were expatriates eating abroad...
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Saha
Cuisine: Middle Eastern Mediterranean Moroccan Fusion
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Downtown |
6/9/2005
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This place is a video store with a diner in the back. There are video screens in the diner so you can watch whatever bad 80s flick the staff has decided to pop in the VCR. The diner food is decent, but nothing to scream about. They also have random Thai food choices on the menu (never had em). But who can beat a 24 hour video diner? The vibe is a little creepy, but worth a late night visit if you are in the hood.
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Video Cafe 24 Hours
Cuisine: Coffee Shop Diner
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Outer Richmond |
6/9/2005
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I agree with all previous: The food is nothing to speak of here, but it's the nicest view in the city. Go for lunch and enjoy the coastal California eye candy...
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Sutro's at the Cliff House
Cuisine: American (New) Seafood
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Outer Richmond |
6/9/2005
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I agree that the staff looks a little too cool for school, they seem like rich kids with nothing better to do than run a fancy little boutique pizza joint. But hey, it's about the food, right? The flat bread pizzas are very tasty, they make great salads, and I had an awesome cheese plate as well. Very limited seating, so be careful. We went on a rainy night and ended up huddling under an awning until space opened up for us.
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Pizzetta 211
Cuisine: Pizza
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Outer Richmond |
6/9/2005
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Very decent neighborhood Vietnamese spot. Good lunch specials, and try the lemongrass chicken, 5 spice chicken and the crab soup. They also sometimes import their own brand of Vietnamese beer, which is extremely tasty.
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La Vie Vietnamese Restaurant
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Outer Richmond |
6/9/2005
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OK, this place is a complete hole in the wall, but it's open really late, the food is served up really fast, and its completely decent. Here's the hidden weapon: DUCK FRIED RICE. This dish is the absolute destination-maker of this restuarant. Because the duck is so greasy, it's like duck rice confit, with the rice fried in the duck fat. If that doens't sound good to you, you must be vegetarian...
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King of Thai
Cuisine: Thai
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Downtown |
6/9/2005
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OK, this place is a complete hole in the wall, but it's open really late, the food is served up really fast, and its completely decent. Here's the hidden weapon: DUCK FRIED RICE. This dish is the absolute destination-maker of this restuarant. Because the duck is so greasy, it's like duck rice confit, with the rice fried in the duck fat. If that doens't sound good to you, you must be vegetarian...
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King of Thai
Cuisine: Thai
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Tenderloin |
6/9/2005
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OK, this place is a complete hole in the wall, but it's open really late, the food is served up really fast, and its completely decent. Here's the hidden weapon: DUCK FRIED RICE. This dish is the absolute destination-maker of this restuarant. Because the duck is so greasy, it's like duck rice confit, with the rice fried in the duck fat. If that doens't sound good to you, you must be vegetarian...
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King of Thai
Cuisine: Thai
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Outer Sunset |
6/9/2005
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OK, this place is a complete hole in the wall, but it's open really late, the food is served up really fast, and its completely decent. Here's the hidden weapon: DUCK FRIED RICE. This dish is the absolute destination-maker of this restuarant. Because the duck is so greasy, it's like duck rice confit, with the rice fried in the duck fat. If that doens't sound good to you, you must be vegetarian...
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King of Thai
Cuisine: Thai
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Inner Richmond |
6/9/2005
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I think this is the oldest family owned boutique style ice cream shop in SF. Might be a waning empire as well, as I don't think Joe's kids are interested in taking over. It's a really cute spot, and the ice cream is amazing. Definitely worth it for the ice cream aficionado.
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Joe's Ice Cream
Cuisine: american Hamburgers Hot Dogs Dessert
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Outer Richmond |
6/9/2005
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Lovely and unique. Moroccan food means unique spicing, lots of lamb, lots of phyllo wrapped morsels, and even a dash of powdered sugar over your meat. Sound strange? Well, it is a little, but it's also wonderful. The food is very well prepared, and every offering we had was special in its own way. I would say we hit a few too many sweets before we even got to dessert, but really the flavors you find here you won't find elsewhere. Great oven toasted breads with interesting spreads to start, great meats and tagines, go in a big group and try it all.
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Aziza
Cuisine: Moroccan
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Outer Richmond |
6/9/2005
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This place looks like a hole in the wall, but the coffee is amazing, and the atmosphere is great. There is always great people watching. Great spot for an after dinner caffeine fix.
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Caffe Trieste
Cuisine: Coffee Pizza
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North Beach |
6/9/2005
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This place is so ridiculous, you have to check it out. A tiki-room styled bar straight out of the fifties. Drinks are expensive and come with umbrellas and hangovers. There is actually a piano stand floating in the middle of a reflecting pool, and they have indoor rain showers as if there wasn't enough atmosphere already. I've heard that the buffet is worth a visit as well.
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Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
Cuisine: Pacific Rim
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Nob Hill |
5/8/2005
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Absolutely one of the best around. Impeccable, creative luxurious dining, and the service is flawless. Very upscale environment, great for a special romantic evening out, and a must-try for foodies. Very pricy, very worth it.
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Fleur De Lys
Cuisine: French (New)
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Nob Hill |
5/8/2005
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The best sushi in the Mission by far. Definitely pricy, but worth it. All the traditional rolls are great, and they have some really creative offerings as well. DON'T skip the cooked options, they have some really great fish on the menu. If you sit at the bar and complement the chef, he will hook you up with free tastings. The live scallop and salmon skin are the best in the city. Great cocktail list, and very swanky hip decor.
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Tokyo Go Go
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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Very decent, very fast, and very cheap. Best in the neighborhood at these prices. Spicy tuna handrolls are HUGE.
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We Be Sushi
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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Like dying and going to heaven. This place is phenomenal. Mana from the gods. This is the only legitimately french bakery in the city. The double chocolate croissants live up to anything in Paris (and maybe outshines most). The bread pudding is sublime, worth the visit alone. Grilled sandwiches are outstanding. The croque monsiours are amazing. Can't say enough about this place. Try the little merengue cookies if you are put off by the prices. But everything is WELL worth it. And really strong coffee to boot.
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Tartine Bakery
Cuisine: Bakeries
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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One of my favorite spots in the city. Decor is really great, and food is amazing. These are the best crepes in the city by far, but they are Bretagne style, so different than you might expect. Try the mushroom/tomatoe/gulf shrimp with seafood and mushroom reduction sauces - outstanding. And of course, leave room for dessert. I am a huge nutella/banana fan, but try something simple, brown sugar and vanilla ice cream, and you will be floored. Great beer and cider list. Also, their seafood salad is huge and tasty if you want to go lighter.
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Ti Couz
Cuisine: French Dessert
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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Great veggie burritos (and I'm a carnivore), great tortas (like a burrito, but no rice, and served on french bread - awesome) and fantastic burritos mojados (drenched in red sauce). Really great green salsa, and the picnic table decor makes you cozy up to your neighbor.
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Taqueria Cancun
Cuisine: Mexican
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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Absolutely one of the best brunches in the city. Everything on the menu is great, and they have great burgers to boot. Hash is not to be missed. They also have a sweet risotto which is amazing. Everything is perfectly prepared, and very hip atmosphere.
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Slow Club
Cuisine: American (New)
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Potrero Hill |
5/8/2005
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THE BEST place for a piece of fish in the city. Served with Hawaiian flare, I've been half a dozen times and never been disappointed. Quite pricey and well worth it. If you are with a group, get the appetizer combo and the tuna poke, absolutely amazing. All the fish choices for main course are flawless, so take your pick. And DO NOT skip the chocolate souffle, it's by FAR the best in the city (Gary Danko included). One note: if you are into sake flights, they have some good ones, but DON'T try Roy's label, sake or wine. He should stick to fish and souffles.
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Roy's
Cuisine: Hawaiian Seafood
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SoMa |
5/8/2005
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Very decent tapas, although skip the paella. This is miles ahead of Picaro which is around the corner, but not as good as Esperpento, which is worth the walk (further away).
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Ramblas
Cuisine: Spanish Tapas
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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I know they're supposed to have great breakfast here, but I haven't had it. The food was tasteless, and the service was a complete nightmare. In one meal, we were moved, had water dumped on our new table, they forgot to take our order, they forgot to prepare our food. It was like the twilight zone it was so bad.
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Pork Store
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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The menu looks so great it's hard to resist, but I have had mixed experiences here. A really great dinner, and a very lousy brunch (raw eggs in my benedict!). Great decor though, and worth another shot.
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Platanos Cocina Latina
Cuisine: Central American Fusion
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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There is better Tapas within walking distance so skip it. It's not bad, just nothing worth talking about.
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Picaro
Cuisine: Spanish Tapas
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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Amazing fresh mexican food. The salsas and mole are completely unrivalled in the city.
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Papalote
Cuisine: Mexican
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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Amazing fast food Indian/Pakistani. There is no waitstaff (you pick up food at a counter and help yourself to utensils and water) so this cuts down on the price. The food is really great, try the chicken makhani and you will be hooked. There is no other food like this at this price in SF.
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Pakwan
Cuisine: Indian
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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The best Thai in the Mission by FAR. The decor alone is worth the visit (feels like a trendy LA spot - my friend designed it and it's gorgeous). The food is really fresh and incredibly flavorful. Try the Thai samosas, the salmon satay, and the pumpkin curry and you will be hooked on this place. I am a huge Thai fan, and have been to most in the city, this place is not to be missed.
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Osha Thai Noodle
Cuisine: Thai
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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I love this place. Their homemade Indian ice cream is amazing, with truly unique choices (rose, cardamom, saffron, green tea, chai etc). The rose ice cream is a little bit much, but you should ask for a samples just to see for your self. The saffron pistachio is amazing. Chai and green tea flavors are also winners. They also have prepared fast food. The samosas are amazing (I often leave with a huge bag of them) and the curries are good for a quick fix. There is also an attached market with import goods, great for indian spices and breads.
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New Bombay Bazaar
Cuisine: Indian
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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Loud, trendy and not that worth it. I think the tuna poke so well reviewed by others was not that great (try it at Roy's and you'll see why). We had several items that were heavily over-salted. Nothing was really that well prepared. Has a lot of potential, but doesn't live up to it. Really good mojitos though.
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Luna Park
Cuisine: Hamburgers American (Traditional)
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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Another decent choice for the Metreon movie-goer. Otherwise, I wouldn't go out of my way to go here. But there are some very decent noodle dishes, and I love their stir-fried long beans. Really tasty. If you need something lite, go for them and a a side of rice and you are set.
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Long Life Noodle Company and Jook Joint
Cuisine: Asian Noodle
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SoMa |
5/8/2005
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Holy moly, the best tacos in the city by far. Carne asada tastes noticeably better here than anywhere else (quality of the beef and the nice bbq'd char). Tacos are quite expensive (with everything they run over 5 bux!) so you'll be surprised at your tab if you get a couple and something to drink. But once you dig in, you'll realize what you are paying for. It's like an entirely different animal here. I've heard the burritos live up to their rep as well.
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La Taqueria
Cuisine: Mexican
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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This is a must for all carnivores (although they have veg options!). Perfect cheesesteaks with tons of variations, fast service, great art on the walls, and DO NOT skip the garlic fries: perfect golden fries with a mountain of fresh garlic tossed in. Amazing.
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Jay's Cheese Steak
Cuisine: Cheese Steaks
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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I'll admit I'm a fierce carnivore, but this is the only vegetarian spot I've been to that actually made me feel sorry for vegetarians. Among the four of us and several courses, nothing had any discernable flavor at all. Skip it.
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Herbivore
Cuisine: Vegetarian
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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Only great experiences here for me. Been thrice, pigged out all 3 times, no losing plates. This is classic spanish tapas, no fancy fusion stuff. Sangria is great. Can be a little packed and noisy. Service may not be great, but the food comes fast. Don't know if there is better tapas in SF, I know I've had far worse. ALSO: great lunch specials here. Large portioned 3-courses, very affordable and filling and delicious.
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Esperpento Restaurant
Cuisine: Spanish Tapas
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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With so many other choices in the mission, I don't think EL F rates. Totally mediocre food. Only bonus is that it is open really late for the post bar-hopping burrito fix.
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El Farolito
Cuisine: Mexican
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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One of the best in the city, certainly for the price. The food is very simple, meditarranean/italian, but the freshness of the ingredients and the expert preparation makes everything extraordinary. Try to go the full route, with salad, first course, pasta, second, and dessert. You will not be disappointed. But the great thing is, if you are on a budget, you could just go for a quick salad, pasta and dessert and get out cheap. The homemade pasta is not to be skipped! Also, among the sea of warm chocolate cakes in the world, Delfina's is the absolute tops. Worth the visit alone. Reservvations a must, although sometimes you can slip in at 9:30 without one.
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Delfina
Cuisine: Italian
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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Very decent burger, and probably the best place in the immediate neighborhood. But if you are in search of the best in the city, this ain't it. Certainly not bad though.
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Burger Joint
Cuisine: Hamburgers
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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Excellent if you are in a rush and you are a ravenous carnivore. The tri tip sandwiches are excellent, and the salads are absolutely enormous. Good pick for the movie-goer in need of a quick fix.
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Buckhorn
Cuisine: American Grill
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Downtown |
5/8/2005
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Everyone raves about breakfast at Boogaloos, and it definitely is worth raving about. The place doesn't look like much, but very good, healthy vegetarian friendly breakfast options, and plenty for the carnivore as well. Too bad the mission hipsters swarm here on weekends, so the wait can be awful.
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Boogaloos
Cuisine: Californian
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Mission |
5/8/2005
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If you are looking for something different, this is definitely your spot. Funky vibe, and absolutely unique flavors. The food isn't outstanding, a little uneven, but very very good. Great tamarind cocktails, and fresh fish offerings, plaintains and other surprises. You can't compare this to any other spot, as they are the only ones doing what they do (African fare, but NOT Ethiopian). Worth a visit just for that reason. Well priced.
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Bissap Baobab
Cuisine: African
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Mission |
5/7/2005
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OK, so I ate a huge chunk of dirt in my salad and that was not a lot of fun, but other than their ill-washed lettuce, our meal was a winner. Lots of small plate choices, with fusiony feel to it. We ate almost everything on the menu and were not disappointed (except for that salad). The ribs were definitely a highlight, as was the fresh hot chocolate and donuts dessert offering - not to be missed! We ended up getting 2 orders because we refused to share with each other...
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Andalu
Cuisine: Eclectic Small Plates
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Mission |
5/7/2005
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Another Asian fusion place, but this one hits the spot. We eat family style here, sharing everything, and I've tried most of their menu and it is all good. From appetizers through dessert, the fare is very tasty and creative, although the presention is a little old-school with the extreme vertical thing going on. Highly recommended for this type of fare, as there are a lot of other restaurants in SF trying to do this, but not nearly as well.
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Cafe Kati
Cuisine: Asian Californian Fusion
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Japantown |
4/21/2005
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Absolutey amazing. This is the hole in the wall version of the upscale joint they have across the park in the Richmond (which is the best Vietnamese in the city). This is more of a neighborhood joint, no decor, but the food is still great. 5 spice chicken, pho, vermicelli, all top notch. Try the carpaccio, it's the last thing you'd expect to order at this kind of place, but it is soooo good.
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PPQ Vietnamese Cuisine
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Inner Sunset |
4/21/2005
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I love this place. The salads are amazing and tossed fresh as you choose veggies and toppings to customize on the fly, then there are fresh carved meats and tons of side dishes, Thanksgiving style fare. The food is always good, and the portions are abundant. Highly recommended.
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Pluto's Fresh Food for a Hungry Universe
Cuisine: American salads
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Inner Sunset |
4/21/2005
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Great ice cream and desserts, funny decor with lots of random toys. Worth visiting if you are in the neighborhood and have a sweet tooth.
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Toy Boat Dessert Cafe
Cuisine: Coffee Shop Dessert Ice Cream
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Inner Richmond |
4/21/2005
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Good breakfast, good burgers, open late greasy spoon kind of joint. I do have to say that something about the decor is creepy to me. But this is a good alternative to Mels down the road which is more expensive.
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Lucky Penny Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese American (Traditional) Coffe Shop/Diner
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Inner Richmond |
4/21/2005
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Hole in the wall decor, very fast service, cheap, open very late, and extremely tasty. I go often to feed my addiction to their duck fried rice. It's truly amazing, greasy and super flavorful, you won't regret it. Very good late-night quick fix alternative to diner food.
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King of Thai
Cuisine: Thai
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Inner Richmond |
4/21/2005
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If you are into cheesy pseudo-island decor, super-overcrowded seating, incredibly noisy dining, and mediocre food, then this is for you. We had a large group at this restaurant and I tasted everything on the table. Absolutely nothing I would ever eat again. Something was wrong in the preparation of all the food I had. I would say skip it, unless somehow Hawaiian food is an absolute necessity for you. I could live without it.
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Hukilau
Cuisine: Hawaiian
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Inner Richmond |
4/21/2005
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We actually motivated to go very early for their early bird pre-fixe and it was great. Classic french cum french bistro fare, you can get steak frites, or upgrade from there for a fine dining experience. The decor is lovely and the host is very present and cheerful. Highly recommended.
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Chapeau!
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Inner Richmond |
4/21/2005
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This is the best diy Korean BBQ in the city. Grill your own marinated meats on your tableside coal-fired bbq. It can be a really fun experience, or just plain annoying if you just want to order food and eat it. I have ordered the pre-fixe meals set for X number of people, and they were amazing. Kimchis are abundant and varied. Meat is really well seasoned. Portions are enormous.
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Brother's Korean Restaurant
Cuisine: Korean Barbecue bbq
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Inner Richmond |
4/21/2005
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I had one unmemorable dinner here, one really bad one (live bugs in my salad and the waiter didn't do anything about it) and a fantastic brunch. So I guess I'd say it's uneven at best. Great place for oysters.
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Zuni Cafe
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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Hayes Valley |
4/18/2005
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Top notch California French, very pricey. The perfect place to start an elegant evening before ballet, opera etc. Food is very impressive, perfectly executed. A bit cramped and noisy though, as a lot of people come here for pre-show cocktails. The best foie-gras I've ever had.
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Jardiniere Restaurant
Cuisine: Californian
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Hayes Valley |
4/18/2005
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I think this place is all about the hype. Very highly regarded as one of the finest fish joints in the city, but we were completely unimpressed by the food. Service was very snooty to boot. Skip it.
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Hayes Street Grill
Cuisine: Seafood
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Hayes Valley |
4/18/2005
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Best burgers in the area. Outdoor seating adds to the experience. Well priced. Great breakfast too.
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Flippers Gourmet Burgers
Cuisine: Hamburgers American (Traditional)
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Hayes Valley |
4/18/2005
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Only went for coffee and dessert, but it was sublime. Highly recommended, and we went home with a bunch of goodies from the bakery at the front. Flawless desserts. Food is supposed to be great as well, but why waste the effort when you can just eat cake for dinner?
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Citizen Cake
Cuisine: Californian Bakeries
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Hayes Valley |
4/18/2005
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A bit pricey, and very solid food, but nothing to coo about. Good for pre-ballet, or concert fare. Good place for oysters and appetizers, maybe more so than a full meal.
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Absinthe
Cuisine: French Brasseries
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Hayes Valley |
4/18/2005
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Really peaceful back garden seating makes this the best in the area. Food is very good, and well prepared. Best brunch in the neighborhood by far. Haven't tried lunch or dinner yet...
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Zazie
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
4/18/2005
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Everyone loves this place, but i have to disagree. I have eaten there like 5 times (because its cheap and quick and clean, and the food is fresh at least), but _everything_ I have ordered there has been flavorless.
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Citrus Club
Cuisine: Pan-Asian Noodle Shops
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
4/18/2005
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Long lines on weekends, but they serve you coffee while you wait. Food is very good, though not as great as everyone would have you believe. Certainly the best in the immediate neighborhood for decently priced diner food. Portions are extremely generous. Very cramped seating. Less greasy than your average diner.
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Pork Store Cafe
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
4/18/2005
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Really lousy decor, food is decent but nothing to shout about (although I have never been bowled over by Eritrean/Ethiopean). Honey wine is really good, although we actually were served rotten wine once.
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Massawa
Cuisine: Ethiopian Eritrean
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
4/18/2005
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This is THE BEST Asian fusion in the city. Everything on the menu is great, fresh, well prepared. Go with lots of friends so you can just order everything and eat family style. Incredible wine list and a very helpful, knowledgable unsnooty staff that will help you with your pairings. I think this is a diamond in the rough. Not that talked about and much better than all of the other fusion joints in the city.
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Eos Restaurant & Wine Bar
Cuisine: Californian Asian Fusion
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
4/18/2005
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Probably the best fast food burger there is. Everything is very fresh (potatoes are cut for your fries to order). Very limited choice, but they concentrate on what they do best: burgers and fries. They have a "secret" list of menu items that are not hard to decipher. Here is a new one I just learned: "fried animal" = cheese fries topped with their famous grilled onions. Not to be missed...
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In-n-out
Cuisine: Hamburgers
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Fishermans Wharf |
4/18/2005
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The best the best the best of SF. Absolutely astounding food, creative, rich, profound, fresh, perfect. Very elegant decor and service, very pricey but well worth it. Choose between 3,4,or 5 courses and customize within food categories (you could order 5 fish courses if you wish to). If you are a fan: DON'T skip the cheese course, absolutely the best in the city. Inside SF, GD is the premier foodie joint. I think a lot of other restaurants in the city take cues from the GD menu, but few, if any, execute as well.
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GARY DANKO
Cuisine: American (New)
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Fishermans Wharf |
4/18/2005
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Very good dim sum but there is better and cheaper in the city. Try Ton Kiang or Harbor Village. Yank Sing feels a bit like a dim sum factory, overpriced, and the food is not as varied or interesting as other spots. However, it's still very tasty. Nothing negative to say, but check your other options out.
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Yank Sing
Cuisine: Chinese Dim Sum
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Embarcadero |
4/18/2005
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Wow, knock your socks off fantastic modern Japanese cuisine. But man will you pay for it. Very very (very) pricey, but the food is so good that the endorphins you are swarmed with after the meal will distract you while you empty your pockets. Very swanky sceney bar at the front, great cocktail list, a bit loud overall, but not distracting. Service is a little frantic and inexperienced which was a strange match to the extremely sophisticated food. A must visit for foodies.
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OZUMO
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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Embarcadero |
4/18/2005
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Only styled as a diner, with some menu items that play into the farce, but the pricing blows their cover. Fun decor perhaps, and good mac and cheese, but that doesn't make this a destination. Not bad, just not special.
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Fog City Diner
Cuisine: American (New)
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Embarcadero |
4/18/2005
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Boulevard is a no brainer, fantastic restaurant. Very elegant, but not snooty, service and food are top notch. The New American fare is perfectly crafted, although perhaps not as creative as other spots in their echelon (Gary Danko comes to mind), but nothing is lost because everything is flawless and delicious. Pricey and worth it.
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BOULEVARD
Cuisine: American (New)
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Embarcadero |
4/18/2005
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Extremely unique experience: Super high end chinese set in a dining room that is decorated and presented as if you were in a palace. All of the food has a french flair in presentation and preparation, but definitely maintains its identity as chinese (this is not really fusion, thank god). The tasting menu is an extraordinary experience, although everyone at the table felt a bit overwhelmed by the portions, we could barely stand dessert by the time it arrived, but it was worth every pain to force it down. Service is impeccable and almost overfriendly, but adds to the charm.
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Tommy Toy's Cuisine Chinoise
Cuisine: Chinese French (New)
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Downtown |
4/11/2005
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Classic Wolfgang Puck: overdesigned, overflavored and overpriced. HOWEVER: if you skip dinner, the brunch is definitely one of the best in the city, and deserves a positive review for that alone. It's not as if dinner is bad, but for the price, it's not that impressive.
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Postrio
Cuisine: American (New) Pizza
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Downtown |
4/11/2005
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More asian fusion!! Pricey and the food is way overdone, overflavored, overpresented. Feels very 80s to me for some reason. If they held back a little it would be way better, but it certainly isn't bad. There are just a lot of asian fusion spots in this town that do it better.
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Ponzu
Cuisine: Asian Fusion
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Downtown |
4/11/2005
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Another nice little French bistro on Belden. Great moules frites, worth the trip alone.
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Plouf
Cuisine: French Seafood
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Downtown |
4/11/2005
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Classic high-end steak house: waiters in aprons, lots of business men, huge hunks of meat, and lots of ways to order a potato. But the food is excellent, and the service is impeccable. Definitely the best place to grab a steak in SF.
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Morton's Steakhouse
Cuisine: Steakhouse
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Downtown |
4/11/2005
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I'm a huge carnivore and have been to Millenium twice and loved it both times. I brought my parents (carnivores) as a surprise healthy experience and thought they would be repelled (part of the fun for me) but everyone had a great meal. We all had different things and I tasted everything, and it all hit the mark. Very satisfying too, so not to worry if you are used to a good hunk of meat to sate your appetite, you won't leave hungry. But you have to enter with an open mind, as their self-imposed limitations (being veg/vegan) means they use different tricks of the trade to impress, but they are very good at what they do.
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Millennium
Cuisine: Vegetarian
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Downtown |
4/11/2005
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Mindblowingly impressive and expensive. Super fine dining, very austere and quiet dining room. There is (or was at least) a secret 13 (!) course chef's tasting menu that you have to request. We (3) made the plunge and not only was it an amazing 13 course journey, but on every course, one of us had something different from the other 2, so they actually prepared us 26 courses (more with the amuse bouche and other suprises). The food is flawless and inventive, truly world class.
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Masa's
Cuisine: French (New)
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Downtown |
4/11/2005
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This is purely a sports bar experience. So if that's what you want, then it's great. Otherwise, definitely skip it. Bar food, beer, pool tables, and lots of TVs.
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Jillian's
Cuisine: American
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Downtown |
4/11/2005
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I have to be the rogue reviewer on this one, my experience was awful. I think the decor is incredibly cheesy and overdone, perhaps fun for your kids, but your kids won't enjoy the food, so why would you bring them, especially at these prices. At a table of 6, there were no fewer than 6 serious service errors (including but not limited to incredibly oversalted food, seriously undercooked and overcooked meat and fish, and completely forgotten and missed orders). None of these errors were properly compensated, and to boot, not even the properly prepared food was anything to remark on. Skip it and go to Aqua instead.
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Farallon
Cuisine: Seafood
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Downtown |
4/11/2005
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Great little French Bistro, with cute French waitstaff. Young and hip feel, but the cuisine is classic and well prepared. Great mussels. Off the beaten path on an alley off Union Square makes it feel like a secret find. Very reasonably priced for the quality. Go for lunch and treat yourself to fine french dining in the middle of the day at lunch prices. They have good soup/salad/sandwich combos.
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Cafe Claude
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Downtown |
4/11/2005
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One of the very best SF has to offer, the finest dining, at the tallest price, but well worth it. I am a huge fan of Gary Danko, and I would put Aqua at the same level, only the focus is on seafood. Here's the tasting menu as of 2 days ago (my last visit, and best meal of my life perhaps): fried tuna croquette with lemon tartar sauce and a sip of squash soup, beluga caviar tart (puff pastry with carmelized onions, topped with sour cream and caviar), ahi tuna sashima tossed with a fresh quail egg yolk and turkish spices, parmesan souffle topped with crab in a cream sauce accompanied with a cold crab claw in vinagraitte wrapped in watermelon, foie gras over carmelized vegetables, bacon-wrapped sturgeon, filet mignon with a dijon custard tart, pineapple carpaccio with pineapple sorbet, and a grand marnier souffle. Everything was completely flawless and I would go again tomorrow and the day after and the day after if I could afford it...
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AQUA
Cuisine: Californian French Basque Seafood
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Downtown |
4/11/2005
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Great Italian import deli/supermarket. Lots of groceries that are from artisan manufacturers in Italy. Great cheese selection, decent deli sandwiches. Look for seasonal items that are unique to their locations.
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A. G. Ferrari Foods
Cuisine: Italian Deli
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SoMa |
4/9/2005
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50's diner decor and food. Not bad, and open very late (maybe 24 hour??) but nothing to rave over. Good for a late night fix. Can be greasy, and decor is a little unfinished at some of the locations (there are several).
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Lori's Diner
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Coffee Shops/Diners
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Downtown |
4/9/2005
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Skip it. Expensive, lots of pomp and circumstance (dining room is beautiful though), this is old world fine cuisine in a city known for it's incredible modern fare. Nothing on the menu was remarkable, though none of it bad either. There's just so much more out there to enjoy, this one isn't worth it.
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Grand Cafe (Formal Dining Room)
Cuisine: French Californian
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Downtown |
4/9/2005
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It's a chain restaurant, but honestly, the food is really good. Cheap pasta joint at heart, but the food is really fresh. Never had anything bad on the menu, but the gemelli is divine, with smoked chicken, yummm. A go-to comfort place when you need a quick fix for cheap.
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Pasta Pomodoro
Cuisine: Italian
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Cow Hollow |
4/9/2005
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Very Marina! Loud, sceney, and long waits if you don't have a reservation, but with good reason. The food is really great, don't miss the firecracker shrimp, long beans or lettuce cups. A bit pricey. Definitely one of the best in the neighborhood. Lots of pretty people here.
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Betelnut Pejiu Wu
Cuisine: Pan-Asian
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Cow Hollow |
4/9/2005
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24 hour on weekends, so it's a great spot to know about, but food can be hit or miss. Classic 50s diner style decor and food. Can be a little greasy, and there are definitely better diners out there, but the menu is huge and will satisfy most if you are in the mood for this sort of thing. Don't expect miracles.
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Mel's Drive-In
Cuisine: Coffee Diners
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Civic Center |
4/9/2005
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With a name like Gyro King and a complete lack of decor, you might be tempted to walk by, but the food is GREAT! Really fresh, everything on the menu is well prepared, cheap, and very decent portions. Great lunch spot, and a destination if you are going to the Library or Asian Art museum etc.
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Gyro King
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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Civic Center |
4/9/2005
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You have to be a carnivore and very hungry to get value from this place but its great. They actually have a huge salad bar with lots of interesting prepared side dishes, but the star of the show are the sword-sized skewers of fresh roasted meats of all varieties that are brought to the table and carved right onto your plate. Great staff, but make sure not to fill up on the cheaper cuts of meat, you can always wait for the good cuts of beef, lamb etc, and refuse everything else if you want to play it sly.
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Espetus Churrascaria
Cuisine: Brazilian
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Civic Center |
4/9/2005
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It's a chain restaurant, so you have no business going to one in the heart of SF where there is so much choice. I only eat here when I am in the boonies, and for that purpose it isn't bad, but not great. Fajitas are decent, and margaritas are good, large, but not that strong.
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Chevy's Fresh Mex
Cuisine: Tex Mex
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Civic Center |
4/9/2005
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It's a chain restaurant, so what do you expect? The food is really not bad, and they are one of the first to throw the kitchen sink on to a pizza. A mass market attempt at fusion dining, and not a bad crack at it. Fine dining this is not.
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California Pizza Kitchen
Cuisine: Californian Pizza
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Civic Center |
4/9/2005
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This place is famous and very populated, and the food is very fresh and very good, but I have to say that of the 4 dishes we ordered, all which had different menu descriptions, 3 of the 4 had the EXACT same brown sauce all over it. The sauce was damn good, so it's hard to complain, but a little more effort on variety would be appreciated. Decor is lacking, cramped and noisy, and food comes really fast.
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House of Nanking
Cuisine: Chinese
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Chinatown |
4/9/2005
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Everyone loves this place, but I was unimpressed. If you have to have Hawaiian food, then this is the place, but I could do without macaroni salad as a side dish forever. I had overcooked Kalbi, and everything I tasted from my friend's plates were unremarkable.
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Tita's hale 'aina
Cuisine: Hawaiian
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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More asian fusion! And not the best, in my opinion. Super friendly staff and service, great soju cocktails (soju is Korean sake) and all the food sounds interesting, but dissapoints or is unremarkable or tries too hard. Reasonably priced, but that doesn't really make up for the cuisine. I think the chef is over-eager to impress and hasn't fully thought through all of the dishes.
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Tangerine
Cuisine: Pacific Rim
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Doesn't quite make the grade. It is very impressive, with dozens of luscious looking cakes on display, and huge portion slices of cake, but nothing is outstanding. It always seems to suck me in when I walk by, but never satisfies your expectations. I have heard more than a few people complain of the flies on the cakes, but have never noticed them myself.
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Sweet Inspirations
Cuisine: Bakery
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Incredibly good and incredibly cheap sushi, this is the absolute gem of SF sushi joints. It only seats like 2 people at a time, so you will have to wait and it can be very cramped, but it is well worth the wait. Highly recommended, and certainly better than anything else near by.
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Sushi Zone
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Good coffeehouse/sandwich shop type joint. They are known for their crepes which are overstuffed and decent but not grand. Sandwiches are good, breakfest is good as well. Nothing to rave about, but very solid fare. Note: great coffeecake.
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Squat and Gobble
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners American (Traditional)
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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It's a little pretentious when it comes to menu text (erotic tea? i don't think so..) but it is a real teahouse, with dozens to choose from ranging from 4-50(!) dollars for an individual pot. Food is culturally related to the countries of origin of the teas, and is nicely presented, and cheap enough. Lots of vegan food choices, which is rare. You can also have english tea service (with sandwiches) or russian tea service (with blinis and caviar!) making this a very unique spot. Worth a visit, and a nice place to get cozy on a rainy day. Wireless internet access on weekdays, but not on weekends.
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Samovar Tea Lounge
Cuisine: Tearoom Fusion Tapas
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Owner of Blue and Luna adds a chophouse to his list of restaurants in the Castro, and it is just as good. Great place for a steak, great porkchops and lambchops, and they have good brunch which is less populated than some of the other spots on the Castro that can be overly packed at brunchtime.
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Red Grill
Cuisine: Steakhouses Seafood American (Traditional)
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Decent sushi, can be hit or miss, and is definitely overpriced. But, it's the only spot really in the heart of the Castro (there are better spots on Church), and the service is really friendly. Watch for the specials board, where most of the more interesting rolls are listed, and freshest catches are displayed.
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Osaka Sushi
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Best pizza in the Castro according to most, at least as good as Nizario's (but more NY style, where Nizario is a deeper crust) and MUCH better then Escape to NY. Lots of topping choices, solid all around.
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Marcello's
Cuisine: pizza
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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The most elegant dining in the Castro. Intimate and formal-ish dining room. The food is classically prepared French, with a hint of fusion, and it's excellent. Pricey but worth it. Romantic setting and service is relaxed and attentive. One of the few destination spots in the Castro.
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SUMI
Cuisine: Fusion
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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THE BEST BRUNCH! I have been known to go every weekend for months on end! The best eggs benedict in the city. Make sure to ask them to substitute their homemade biscuits for the usual english muffin on the Benedict for the perfect meal. The hash is great as well. Every portion is ample, great outdoor seating (even when its raining, they have a tarp!), and fair pricing makes this a destination for sure. SKIP DINNER THOUGH! can be uneven...
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Luna
Cuisine: Californian American (Traditional) Brunch
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Decent meditarranean fare, the combo plate is good for a quick fix with some variety. Inexpensive, friendly service, nothing to write home about.
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La Mediterranee
Cuisine: Mediterranean Middle Eastern
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Soooo overpriced, and give me a break: THE COOKIES ARE NEVER HOT! Disappointing.
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Hot Cookie
Cuisine: Bakeries Hot Cookies
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Really good home-style food. Very rich and filling. Great meatloaf, and their cocktails are really good, and really deceptively strong. A bit loud and sceney.
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Home
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Not really a place to eat, more meet and greet and drink. Food is uneven and menu is all over the place.
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Harvey's
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Hamburgers
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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This is sort of a fast food version of real Korean BBQ, but it's damn tasty and always fresh. I like it when I am extremely hungry and want food in 15 minutes or less. Try the Bi Bim Bop: tons of shredded fresh vegetables over rice, with a mountain of BBQ meat, topped with a fried egg and hot sauce. Sounds strange if you've never had it, but once you mash it all up together (proper technique) and dig in, you will be a convert.
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Hahn's Hibachi
Cuisine: Korean Barbecue bbq
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Noe Valley |
4/9/2005
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Very decent pasta/noodle joint. Sort of a fusion alternative to Pasta Pomodoro, with asian and southwestern-inflected dishes. Good cocktails (lots of flavored martinis). Cheap.
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Fuzio
Cuisine: Eclectic International Noodle Shop
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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This is a small chain restaurant, but the food is fresh and good. Rock shrimp tortellini are amazing, thin crust pizzas are great, customized salads (tons of toppings to choose) are good, rotisserie chicken is decent but not the best I've had. It's a homier alternative to a place like Pasta Pomodoro.
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Firewood Cafe
Cuisine: Californian Italian Pizza
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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I'm from NY, this is NOT NY pizza. Often soggy, overpriced, salty, and there are 2 better options within a block (Marcellos and Nizarios). Skip it.
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Escape From NY Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Very good food, but I was surprised at the bill at the end. I will definitely try it again though. Tapas-like food, but unique. Worth a visit for modern-latin food lovers.
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Destino
Cuisine: Nuevo Latino Tapas
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Cute little french bistro, upstairs, easy to walk by. Food is good, but we had some hit or miss items. But I will be back again for sure to give them another go. Very reasonably priced prix-fixed menu, always with a seasonal unique flare to the offering. Could be a hidden gem, but not everything was perfect, and we skipped dessert. More to come on this one later...
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Cote Sud
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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I really want this place to be good, but it's not. I kept going back hoping it would get better, but it didn't. My first dinner, everyones meal was oversalted heavily. The second meal was lunch, which was overpriced and boring, the third meal was dinner again and I don't even remember it. Too bad, it's beautiful, and the menu sounds great. Just not that well prepared.
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Catch
Cuisine: Mediterranean Seafood Brunch
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Beautiful, relaxed, open air, sky-lit people-watching cafe. Nice place to lounge. Menu is very limited, but is very tasty, and the daily specials are completely unique and unexpected (duck jambalaya! lamb stew!).
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Cafe Flore
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Fantastic, homey, well priced. This guy owns Luna and other restaurants in the neighborhood and they are all good. Blue has AMAZING osso bucco (stewed, tomatoey pork shoulder), great mashed potatoes, good daily grilled fish. They also have a really cheap daily lunch special which is usually a regular menu item just made cheaper, and the portion is just as ample, for like 6 bux. Great spot.
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Blue
Cuisine: Comfort food American
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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It's 24 hour, but that is about the only positive thing, and if you need a late night meal, I would opt for Sparky's nearby anyway. The service is really awful, the breakfast is often served cold, it's overpriced for what it is, and I could go on, but they aren't worth the effort...
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Bagdad Cafe
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Diner
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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I don't get this place. Crab salad for $30 dollars? No way. I have walked by this place so many times that I decided to try it out and after looking at the prices, I opted for a small cup of clam chowder. It was not memorable.
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Anchor Oyster Bar & Seafood Market
Cuisine: Seafood American (Traditional)
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Very good, somewhat expensive American fare. Roasted meats are particularly good, heirloom tomatoe salad was the best I've ever had. Elegant dining room, but very relaxed atmosphere, so good place for a date. Sunday brunch is amazing as well, very rich and creative menu.
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2223 Restaurant
Cuisine: American (New)
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Castro |
4/9/2005
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Holy moly! What a pizza! We ordered delivery and it took like 18 hours to get to us, and we were pissed, but not after we started digging in. I don't know about the rest of the food, but the Indian pizza is completely unique and amazing. Like an indian curry feast on top of a pizza. Since most indian food is eaten with flat bread anyway, it's not really that much of a leap in concept, but great inventions rarely are. Expensive as far as pizza goes, but not for what you are getting. Highly recommended.
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Zante Indian Cuisine & Pizza
Cuisine: Indian Pizza
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Bernal Heights |
4/9/2005
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Excellent taqueria, with long wooden tables that force you to eat with your neighbors. Veggie burritos here are amazing, but there are lots of other great taquerias in the city to compete with them...
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Taqueria Cancun
Cuisine: Mexican
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Bernal Heights |
4/9/2005
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One of my absolute favorites in the city. Homey, but expertly prepared and conceived cuisine. Well priced, and special. You can get great meatloaf or a great steak, but I always order the grilled salad (strange but so worth it), and curried roasted lamb chops. Dessert and wine are fantastic here as well. A hidden gem.
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Blue Plate, The
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Californian
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Bernal Heights |
4/9/2005
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Really great food, a little like Thai, but has it's own flare. The hostess is amazingly friendly and helpful with suggestions. Everything we ordered, from vegetarian, seafood, and meats were great. Decor is nothing to bark about, but the food carries you through. Worth a visit.
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Angkor Borei
Cuisine: Cambodian
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Bernal Heights |
4/9/2005
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The food is really amazing, everything we ordered was great, curries, roasted meats and even the rice. But the place is packed very tight with tables, so you feel on top of your neighbor. It's also so busy that I really felt the pressure from the waitstaff to eat and get out to make room for the next customer, which I didn't like at all. But if you ignore them, you are bound for a great meal. Very affordable.
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Burma Superstar
Cuisine: Burmese
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Inner Richmond |
4/9/2005
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Get there early on the weekend! Long waits, and parking can be hard, but some of the best dim sum in the city. Everything is tasty, great seafood (but you have to wait patiently for it or order is specially). A little expensive by dim sum standards but worth it. Don't skip dessert!: Order the black sesame balls, so good and haven't seen them elsewhere.
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Ton Kiang
Cuisine: Dim Sum Chinese
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Outer Richmond |
4/9/2005
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The one on Haight is constantly busy, long waits, very noisy, but the food is really tasty. I have never had anything that wasn't great. Try the coconut shrimp and the jerk chicken and you will find the wait was worth it. Great sangria to boot.
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Cha Cha Cha
Cuisine: Caribbean Tapas
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
4/9/2005
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Huge tourist trap. Food is not bad, but nothing to yell about either. I love garlic, but the gimmic wasn't enough to impress me. Skip it for one of the zillion other great restaurants in the neighborhood.
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Stinking Rose
Cuisine: Italian Californian
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North Beach |
4/9/2005
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Incredible homemade icecream. I have necer tasted anything there that didn't taste like it's name, and wasn't amazing. If you are a chocolate fan, the Mexican chocolate is one of the best ice creams on the planet. The chocolate is incredibly rich, with a healthy dose of cinnamon. You can get pre-packed half-gallons to go as well.
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Mitchells Ice Cream
Cuisine: Ice Cream Dessert
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Mission |
4/9/2005
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Very good food, but not very authentic dim sum. I think it is more geared towards tourists or people who don't know what dim sum should be. Very expensive compared to other dim sum spots.
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Yank Sing
Cuisine: Chinese Dim Sum
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SoMa |
4/9/2005
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Amazing food, but not really Vietnamese, more modern fusion/Californian. The shaking beef and carmelized prawns are worth the visit alone, the dining room is beautiful, family-style eating is always nice, but it has gotten pricier over time.
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Slanted Door, The
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Embarcadero |
4/9/2005
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Average sushi, but well priced. The katsu gave me a headache though, could have been MSG in their batter. Walk a few doors down on the same block to Sushi Tomo: a little more expensive, but the sushi boats are excellent and fresh. You can chum it up with the chefs and they will hook you up.
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Kitaro Restaurant
Cuisine: sushi japanese
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Outer Richmond |
4/9/2005
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Absolutely the best Mexican food experience in SF. Other than the food itself, which is authentic, hardy and delicious, the spot boasts one of the largest tequila collections in the known universe. Owner/manager Julio is often on hand with a smile and an enormous base of knowledge on his collection. He has consulted the Queen of England amongst many others in this area of expertise, and has concocted his own margarita mix which has no equal. The wait can be long, but well worth it.
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Tommy's Mexican Restaurant
Cuisine: mexican
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Outer Richmond |
4/9/2005
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