|
Not sure what the hype is about. The theme is charred meat on a barbie stick that is overly salted. What did the chicken taste like? Salt. What did the pork taste like? Salt. What did the beef taste like? A rock of salt. What did the lamb taste like? You get the point. Yeah, the atmosphere is different. I mean, how many other eateries in the City do you have waiters dressed as Argentine gauchos? The items that I thought shined, though, were the desserts, which is interesting when the focus of Espetus is meat.
|
Espetus Churrascaria
Cuisine: Brazilian
|
Civic Center |
10/23/2007
|
|
My, my, my! I am not much of a drinker, but the drinks at Nopa rock! I had the Mumbai Iced Tea, which was sort of like a Long Island, but instead, it used tamarine. Then my friends and I shared a $75-bottle of Spanish wine (sorry, forgot the name) at dinner. The food was quite good, and I swear, it wasn't because I had already downed 2 drinks! Go there for happy hour, if you can't stick around for dinner. At any rate, you won't be disappointed.
|
NOPA
Cuisine: Mediterranean Greek
|
Western Addition |
10/22/2007
|
|
I had a great time and very much enjoyed the food the night that I went. Despite its namesake, the food is not about salt. It's about preparing fresh ingredients and bringing out the best flavors. It's unfortunate that quite a few reviewers had a not-too-memorable experience at Salt House. In fact, it's better than its sister restaurant, Town Hall. Give this place another try.
|
Salt House
Cuisine: American
|
SoMa |
10/22/2007
|
|
I am not sure why so few people have gone to this restaurant. Perhaps, it's at the end of Franklin St. I got to admit, I have driven by many times but didn't even think of giving it a try until I saw it featured on KQED's "Check, Please!" The staff is friendly and accommodating. The chef brings flavors and dishes from his native Brazil. On Friday and Saturday nights, there is even salsa dancing that the customers are welcome to participate in. By the way, if you do happen to go, try the paella prepared in a half-shelled, baked pineapple!
|
Canto do Brasil
Cuisine: Brazilian
|
Hayes Valley |
10/22/2007
|
|
Nestled in the alley of Hawthorne Lane lies this remarkable restaurant. The entrance is unassuming, but you will be blown away once you step inside. The food rivals some of the other more nearby popular restaurants. In fact, this is much better than Town Hall. Give it a try; you won't regret it!
|
Two San Francisco
Cuisine: Californian
|
SoMa |
10/22/2007
|
|
This is one of the hidden gems in the City. It is a must-try restaurant. The food is full of fragrant spices from the Middle East, unlike any middle eastern food that I have ever tried. The chef blend the flavors in the right proportions, without becoming overpowering. The walls are adorned with photos of his native Yemen. You could definitely taste the passion that the chef placed in the preparation of his dishes.
|
Saha
Cuisine: Middle Eastern Mediterranean Moroccan Fusion
|
Downtown |
10/22/2007
|
|
One would think that the modern and sophisticated interior would complement the food, purportedly inspired by a celebrity chef from Napa. Unfortunately, the selection was bland and did not do justice to the decor of the dining room. And I had the Chef's tasting menu, no less! Maybe we have been spoiled by all the Asian-Californian-French cuisine that is abundant in SF. And maybe I was expecting too much, anticipating something different that no other restaurants in the City have attempted before. But I also left quite disappointed because of the saltiness of the food. I knew I was eating seafood, but I did not expect to be swimming in a sea of salt.
|
Ame
Cuisine: American (New) Seafood
|
SoMa |
12/31/2006
|
|
I was pleasantly surprised by this hidden gem in the lower Pac Height. Who would have known that there was fine cuisine, nestled in this quiet part of town. I had the dungeness crab stack, nicely presented in the center of a large Oneida china plate. Though it was a bit overwhelmed by lime juice, the fresh dungeness crab flavor was pretty evident. Next, I had the Majestic house salad with dungeness crab meat. This could be shared between 2 people because of its generous portion. But you might want its entirety because it's really that good. The Kobe NY steak was also very good, grilled to perfection. The only downside of the meal were the desserts, which were uncharacteristically parched. Overall, I much prefer to take out-of-town guests to Majestic than some of the other fine dining restaurants in downtown.
|
Cafe Majestic
Cuisine: American (New)
|
Pacific Heights |
12/31/2006
|
|
Skip the potato skins for the appetizer. The dish was pretty bland, despite globs of melted cheddar and bacon on top. I had the steak tenderloin sandwich, which had lots of good flavors but a bit on the greasy side. The desserts could use some creativity though. Putting a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the center of a brownie was a bore. Our waiter was accomodating, though I didn't understand why other diners started with breadsticks, and all we got was water.
|
Perry's
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Comfort Food
|
Cow Hollow |
12/8/2006
|
|
I've been waiting for a place like this to open in the City, since leaving Houston, Texas. There just aren't enough real BBQ places in the Bay Area. Now I don't have to drive all the way to Armadillo Willy's in Foster City. The meat is cooked to perfection, ladened with smoke flavor. The secret to all BBQ is the sauce, and this place got some mighty juices in the house. You can fill up your belly, and all for less than $12!
|
Roadside BBQ
Cuisine: Barbeque BBQ
|
Inner Richmond |
10/31/2006
|
|
Reliable, fancy Thai food with nice, comfortable seating.
|
King of Thai Noodle
Cuisine: Fusion Thai
|
Downtown |
10/31/2006
|
|
I used to think that "small plates" was just another way for the restauranteurs to skimp on the portions, while expecting their patrons to pay ridiculously high price for their food. But alas, I've adapted to the concept. Small portions really forced me to savor each bite, instead of gulping down the food. Each small dish was superbly prepared with the utmost detail and big on taste. We were treated like VIP's (and no, sharing the same name as the producer of America's Next Top Model was not the reason). The hostess and our waiter were very accomodating and made sure that our dishes came out in a timely fashion, so that we would not miss our after-dinner engagement. The entire dining experience at Cortez was a memorable one indeed.
|
Cortez
Cuisine: Tapas Mediterranean
|
Downtown |
10/30/2006
|
|
Unimaginative, expensive Mexican food that you could get for a better price in the Mission. In fact, you could probably get a better tasting meal in the Mission. The decor is nice though.
|
Tres Agaves
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
9/8/2006
|
|
I had high hopes for Bouchon after having had a wonderful meal at The French Laundry. One would think that Thomas Kellar would duplicate his culinary expertise in his other restaurant in Yountville. Was I wrong! Bouchon is his poor step child. The food was good, no doubt, but I had expected more from the celebrity chef. It certainly was not worth the two-and-a-half hours I spent driving from SF on a Saturday afternoon. You could get better bistro food in The City.
|
Bouchon
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
|
Napa |
9/8/2006
|
|
The inside looked a bit grungy, and from the look of the decor, it would fit right in the Haight. But don't let that fool ya. I was pleasantly surprised by the food. The menu changes periodically. On my last visit, I started out with some scallops as the appetizer. They were cooked just right, not too raw and definitely, not too tough. The dish was prepared with a hint of herbs, as the chef probably didn't want to overshadow the natural flavors of the scallops. Next, I had the grilled skirt steak, which I felt was just "all right," but that was because my expectation had been raised by the delicious appetizer. I ended my dinner with a chocolate molten cake and a scoop of ice cream on the side. Overall, it was a nice, free meal that I won from SFSurvey. Thank you, Wayne and Angie! I might go back some day, but the price may be a bit prohibitive. The entrees averages around $18.
|
Triptych
Cuisine: Fusion
|
SoMa |
8/31/2006
|
|
Good place for fresh seafood when you take out-of-town guests to Sausalito. But the wait staff could use some refresher course on hospitality. Just how long does one need to wait for a glass of water?
|
Scoma's
Cuisine: Italian Seafood
|
Sausalito |
7/31/2006
|
|
The best Vegas-style buffet outside of Nevada! The place is jammed packed and for all the right reasons, namely, freshness and variety. You can try 4 diffferent soups, like ginseng and winter mellon soup, lots of seafood, like lobster and scallops, and even oysters, grilled or poached, lots of sushi, different types of seasonal fruits. They even prepare fresh noodles and sobas right in front of you. And what bettter way to end your meal than dipping strawberries or marshmallows in a chocolate fondue fountain?! Go ahead, let yourself loose. Don't worry, there's also a 24-Hr Fitness Club next door if you feel guilty from eating too much.
|
Moonstar Buffet
Cuisine: Pan-Asian
|
Daly City |
7/28/2006
|
|
Every dish is prepared with the utmost details on freshness and taste. One could sense the chef's concentration, devotion and focus in preparing the food when you put the first bite in your mouth. Chez Panisse Cafe is a good alternative to try some of Alice Waters' inspirations if you are not fortunate to get a seat in the more illustrious main restaurant (Chez Panisse) located on the main level.
|
Chez Panisse Café
Cuisine: Californian Mediterranean
|
Berkeley |
7/27/2006
|
|
Unlike some of the restaurants in SF that try to create a dining experience with cheap, fancy decor but fall short on food quality, Joe's of Westlake is a gem in Daly City. The wait staff is extremely friendly, courteous and accomodating. The food is wholesome and never disappoints. It is where I go when I have a craving for pasta but want to avoid the parking hazzle of North Beach. Readers beware, go early, otherwise you have to wait awhile for a table. This is indeed one of the Pennisula's best kept secret!
|
Joe's of Westlake
Cuisine: Italian American
|
Daly City |
7/27/2006
|
|
I am not really sure why Una Mas lasted this long. It's pretty ominous when you walk into the restaurant and the whole place is empty, and that was on a weekend and during the dinner hour. The burritos were bland. Pretty much everything tasted really watered down. This is the Mexican equivalence of The Olive Garden.
|
Una Mas Taqueria
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Daly City |
7/27/2006
|
|
You know a place is BAD when the cook staff messes up the basics, like meatloaf and potatoes. I swear, it smelled and looked like Purina dog chow. I decided to give the restaurant another chance when the Maitre'D graciously offered me another entree. I chose something that was even more basic, like fish and chips. But to my dismay, I would have been better off going to Long John Silver.
|
Boulevard Cafe
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Daly City |
7/26/2006
|
|
It's been long overdue that a decent eatery finally arrived in the renovated Westlake Shopping Center in Daly City. Don't expect a gourmet meal, but Daphne's is not meant to be anything but a fast food joint where you can order respectable fallafel and a tasty gyro sandwich.
|
Daphne's Greek Cafe
Cuisine: Greek
|
Daly City |
7/26/2006
|
|
The worst afternoon tea experience ever! The dining room is dingy, the tea was tepid and the biscuits were stale. Quick, call the city health department!
|
The Windsor Tearoom
Cuisine: English
|
Downtown |
7/26/2006
|
|
The staff is friendly enough, but the food is pretty average at best. The calamari tasted stringy and tough. The house salad was pretty bland. The lasagne was good enough to serve. Contrary to its name, Viva would not survive when there are much better places to eat nearby.
|
Viva Restaurant
Cuisine: Pizza Italian Seafood
|
North Beach |
7/26/2006
|
|
A bit on the oily side, but the chicken is mighty tasty. The home fries/potatoes were a good complement to the entree, but I made the mistake of ordering the macaroni and cheese as my side dish. You could skip that, as well as the appetizer, babagonoush (it wasn't all that fresh) . Just order what the name of the restaurant advertises; you won't go wrong. Overall, this is a good place if you find yourself craving rotisserie chicken with a Middle Eastern flavor.
|
Good Frikin' Chicken
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Bernal Heights |
3/15/2006
|
|
I am not a fan of thin crust pizza since I love bread. But I gotta tried this place because I found the main restaurant next door (Delfina) so amazing. Pizzeria Delfina made me forget about the dough because the toppings were so very fresh, with just the right combination of seasonings. The small, cozy atmosphere also allows you to have a conversation with your companion without having to shout across the table. One of the best eats in the Noe Valley/Mission corridor.
|
Pizzeria Delfina
Cuisine: Pizza
|
Mission |
3/15/2006
|
|
I was not a big fan of Taco Bell until I've tried the burrito at this place. I exagerate a bit....Let me just put it this way. This fast food joint could only survive in a neighborhood (Downtown) without real, authentic Mexican food. If it were in the Mission, this place would close in a second.
|
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Cuisine: Mexican
|
SoMa |
3/12/2006
|
|
I've had better Italian food in the City. Skip this place if you want some gnocchi or pasta. North Beach is only a short car ride away.
|
Ristorante Umbria
Cuisine: Italian
|
SoMa |
3/12/2006
|
|
Basic American breakfast fare. Nothing to rave or complain about. Reliable food. The ambiance is kind of boring though.
|
Lakeside Cafe
Cuisine: American
|
Lake View |
3/12/2006
|
|
Great spot in the Castro. The seasoning could be better, but food is definitely better than average and the portions are pretty generous. The crowd and the ambiance are pretty lively. Nice place to dine with friends.
|
2223 Restaurant
Cuisine: American (New)
|
Castro |
3/12/2006
|
|
Immerse yourself in Roman-Greco indulgence at Supperclub. First impression may give you the sense of some uptight, trendy place in the South-of-Market area. But once you step into the the dining room, you are immediately escorted to one of the luxurious beds where the actual dining takes place. The staff, clad in pajamas, are friendly and accommodating. Be prepared to spend 3-4 hours, as you are served a 5-course meal, interspersed with lively entertainment and games. It is an experience not to be missed in the City!
|
Supperclub
Cuisine: Continental Fusion
|
SoMa |
3/12/2006
|
|
Three days later, I am still reminiscing about my experience at The Dining Room. I am not sure why I waited so long to go there. I would rate it as the best dining experience that I 've had in SF (aside from Gary Danko's). I sampled the salt and pepper tasting menu, and as the name suggested, it introduced me to the subtle nuances of the different varieties of salt and peppers that I never knew existed in the world. The food was not at all overpowered by the salt, pepper or any spices that were used, thus allowing me to savor the natural flavors of the foods themselves. The service was impeccable. The wait staff was knowledgeable and did not miss a beat. The Dining Room is indeed a foodie's nirvana..
|
Ritz-Carlton Dining Room
Cuisine: French (New)
|
Nob Hill |
1/2/2006
|
|
This is not the same Lulu's that I went to when it first opened back in the 1990's. The food is much, much better. I supposed that nowadays, the trend is either small plates or family-style dining in restaurants. Lulu does both styles, but concentrates mainly on large plates to be shared at the table. The vegetable appetizer was prepared exquisitely. What followed were some of the best tasting grilled sirloin steak and pork loin. The only flaw is the service, which was pretty slow. The waitress was not as attentive as I would expect. But overall, I had an enjoyable meal.
|
Restaurant LuLu
Cuisine: Mediterranean French
|
SoMa |
11/16/2005
|
|
What more can one ask for on a Sunday morning...freshly prepared beignets and scrambled egss with a Cajun flare.
|
Mabel's Just for You Cafe
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners Bakeries
|
Potrero Hill |
11/1/2005
|
|
It's all right. Tasty homecooked soup noodles, but nothing extraordinary.
|
Just Won Ton
Cuisine: Chinese Noodle Shop
|
Outer Sunset |
10/24/2005
|
|
Living in SF, we are blessed with some of the best artisan chocolatiers in the country. XOX truffles got some awesome, somewhat exotic flavors! They are the same premium quality as Joseph Schmidt, Recchiuti Confections and Scharffen Berger, but XOX has its own distinctive character. You have to try them if you are truly a chocoholic. You won't be disappointed. You will be in pure bliss.
|
xox Truffles
Cuisine: Dessert
|
North Beach |
10/16/2005
|
|
Want low fat, nutritious, yet delicious desserts that you won't feel guilty about? This is it! Sitting on ultra-mod chairs, listening to contemporary Cantonese pop music and watching imported Hong Kong movies on a flat screen TV, you might just forget that you are in SF. The whole experience transports you to a cafe somewhere in Asia.
|
Creations Dessert House
Cuisine: Dessert
|
Outer Richmond |
10/16/2005
|
|
I guess all the excitement about Amici's is the thin crusted pizza, especially with people so conscientious of the amount of carbohydrates they consume. I only wish that the sauce and the ingredients on the pizzas would also be something to rave about. Yeah, the pies are better than Domino's, but not far into the distant future, patrons will soon grow tired of their pizzas and relegate Amici's to the same rank as Round Table.
|
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria
Cuisine: Pizza Italian
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
10/16/2005
|
|
Let me just start by saying that the food was great. The flavoring seemed to be a blend of Cajun, Asian and Californian with a touch of French. I am not quite sure why I found the food expensive, since I've never had complained about my bill at haute cuisine restaurants in the City. Maybe the overall experience was a bit bland. What makes a restaurant great, aside from the food, is the wait staff, the ambiance, the overall experience. I didn't find that at The Public. What it lacked was the whole package.
|
The Public
Cuisine: Eclectic
|
SoMa |
10/16/2005
|
|
Your basic pizza...very boring, although the menu may sound interesting and enticing. Yeah, better than Domino's, but that's it.
|
Cable Car Pizza
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
|
Mission |
8/31/2005
|
|
Everything here is to die for! I am not a fan of frozen entrees that one buys and heats up in the oven at home. But their lazagne was really out of this world. It tasted almost as though it was baked fresh. It was flavorful, but not overly so. The sandwiches were pretty delicious too. You can't go wrong here. Oh yeah, the staff was super friendly and accomodating.
|
A. G. Ferrari Foods
Cuisine: Italian Deli
|
SoMa |
8/29/2005
|
|
The worst part of ANY restaurant is a waiter who is not attentive to its patrons. Our water took forever to be refilled. He didn't bother to ask how I wanted my pork chop to be cooked, so it came overcooked, dry and tough. It seems that the famous ingredient that the chef had up his sleeves was olive oil. The bread, salad and the entree were drenched in oil. I would definitely NOT go back. Skip this place; there's a few other must-go bistros across the street in this Potrero Hill neighborhood.
|
Aperto
Cuisine: Italian
|
Potrero Hill |
8/28/2005
|
|
First impression is everything, as any businessman would attest to. We were greeted by an aloof and snooty maitre d' with an attitude. It was pretty evident that she's got issues. I shall not dwell on her any more, but she basically set the tone of the dining experience. Not only was the staff deplorable, the food was absurdly bland and unimaginative. It seemed as though salt was the main ingredient. The desserts were banal and pedestrian. I could almost swear that the "biscuit" was a Tollhouse cookie that one buys from the frozen section of Safeway. Overall, instead of making Myth lengendary and a place of mystique and intrigue, as the name would imply, the staff from the lowly maitre'd up to the chef, failed in all aspects of what would make a restaurant a destination.
|
MYTH
Cuisine: French Californian
|
Downtown |
8/28/2005
|
|
"Superb," "awesome," "perfect," "heavenly" were some of the words that I used when our waiter came over several times during our meal to ask how we liked the food. The staff was extremely friendly and very gracious. The food was remakably flavorful, prepared exquisitely with the freshest ingredients, and infused with a well-balanced blend of herbs and spices. It isn't very often that I left a restaurant feeling wholesome, fulfilled, and with a smile on my face.
|
Delfina
Cuisine: Italian
|
Mission |
8/28/2005
|
|
I was looking forward to trying out Sears for its history and all the hype before it reopened. I heard that people would wait in long lines, in the wee hours when the early morning damp fog still shrouds San Francisco. Alas, (as you, the reader might expect), my hopes were dampened. The brunch was good, but nothing to rave about, though I did sort of figure out what they use as their main ingredient...butter...and lots of it in the food.
|
Sears Fine Foods
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Downtown |
8/8/2005
|
|
With all the fragrant spices that are the staple of Indian cuisines, it is a shame that at Indian Aroma Restaurant, salt overpowers the food. As a result, the dishes don't do the name of the restaurant any justice.
|
Indian Aroma Restaurant
Cuisine: Indian
|
Nob Hill |
8/8/2005
|
|
Marcello's hit the mark with the pizzas with the right combinations of flavors and, fresh ingredients and the dough baked just right. This is the place to go for a quick bite after work or before your outing for the evening.
|
Marcello's
Cuisine: pizza
|
Castro |
7/10/2005
|
|
By far, This is one of the better restaurants on the waterfront. The inside seating was very comfortable with a nice view of the bay. If you are lucky, you might see a flock of pelicans flying just above the water. Okay, now about the food. It's quite tasty and inventive, served in just the right portion. This is a must-go restaurant for good dining!
|
Butterfly
Cuisine: Californian Asian
|
Embarcadero |
7/10/2005
|
|
I was hoping for good, down-to-earth BBQ, but I was pretty disappointed. The food is very average. Damn! I miss Southern BBQ!
|
Buckhorn
Cuisine: American Grill
|
Downtown |
5/15/2005
|
|
You know it's a good sign when you see lots of people chowing down. To sum it up, this restaurant gives you reliable and inexpensive Thai food. Service is quick, so you can be sure you will make it to your movie at the AMC on time.
|
Thai House Express
Cuisine: Thai
|
Tenderloin |
5/15/2005
|
|
You can feast well in this Chinese-Japanese buffet style restaurant. As with most all-you-can-eat joints, you get what you pay for.
|
Moonstar
Cuisine: Sushi BBQ Seafood
|
Civic Center |
5/10/2005
|
|
The wait can be long; don't bother waiting if you have no reservation. The odd thing is that the food here is just mediocre. The oysters were fishy and actually made a few of the people from my party sick. Salty and greasy pretty much describe most of the dishes. Skip the mango tapioca dessert; it tasted too artificial. Better still, skip this place altogether.
|
Lichee Garden Restaurant
Cuisine: Cantonese Chinese Dim Sum
|
North Beach |
5/10/2005
|
|
Better than your average deli sandwich. Wish the sandwich was bigger because it was quite tasty. Good, friendly service complements the food, however.
|
Giordano Brothers
Cuisine: Deli Cheese Steaks
|
North Beach |
4/30/2005
|
|
Cute corner cafe for weekend brunch. Ssshhh...don't tell too many friends; otherwise, it'll turn into another Dottie's.
|
Nob Hill Cafe
Cuisine: Italian
|
Nob Hill |
4/29/2005
|
|
Pasta Pomodoro is definitely not one of those places that come into mind when I think of Italian restaurants in the City. But for sure, it is a place that you can fall back on if you are going to the Kabuki and want a quick, basic meal before your movie starts. The food is reliable and not bad for a chain.
|
Pasta Pomodoro
Cuisine: Italian
|
Japantown |
4/29/2005
|
|
This is South of Market's diamond-in-the-rough, especially if you happen to be in the area, waiting to attend a performance at the Orpheum. The price reasonable, the food above average, and the decor eye-catching...what more can you ask for? If you have time, walk down half a blcok, and you will discover another hidden gem in this neighborhood, Urban Harvest Market.
|
Buzz 9
Cuisine: California
|
SoMa |
4/29/2005
|
|
It serves the Italian basics, but the food is quite bland and boring. In brief, Rocco's Cafe does not contribute much to the paucity of good restaurants in SOMA. I don't get this place; it only takes up space. Why bother?
|
Rocco's Cafe
Cuisine: Italian
|
SoMa |
4/29/2005
|
|
This is a great spot to fill up your belly with a pile of hot, delicious, homecooked Vietnamese food. The variety is not great by any means, but you can order the basics here. This is a no-nonsense dive tucked away in the upper Polk-Nob Hill border.
|
Cordon BLEU Vietnamese Restaurant
Cuisine: Vietnamese
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
4/25/2005
|
|
I was craving a good pizza in the area when I stumbled upon this restaurant at the corner of California and Hyde. I should have trusted my instinct when I walked in and the people running the place were some 20-something year-olds. The ingredients were fresh, but there was no sauce at all on my pizza. The dough tasted too salty and lacked any flavors. Don't read any further if you don't want to be grossed out, but they mixed the dough behind some curtain, situated just 3 feet across from the bathroom! Unfortunately, I have already eaten my first slice when I discovered their little-known secret.
|
The Front Room
Cuisine: Pizza American (Traditional)
|
Nob Hill |
4/24/2005
|
|
Maybe it's just my luck, or maybe it was the food preparers. Perhaps, it was all the cookie-cutter, Abercrombie & Fitch crowd who lived in the Marina. But somehow the food at this Pluto's didn't taste as good as what I had at the place on Irving.
|
Pluto's
Cuisine: Salads
|
Marina |
4/21/2005
|
|
Funky place indeed. It's like a Hawaiian hut landed in the middle of San Francisco. The food ain't bad. Do try the spam sushi rolls. They rock!
|
Hukilau
Cuisine: Hawaiian
|
Inner Richmond |
4/16/2005
|
|
If you want to desperately lose weight, then come here. When I go to an Indian restaurant, I want a feast. This restaurant, however, serves pathetically small, chintsy portions. Another staple of Indian cuisine are the naans, but this place gives you pita bread instead. Very, very bad. This is a place to avoid.
|
Sultans
Cuisine: Pakistani Indian Fusion
|
Downtown |
4/16/2005
|
|
This is the place to go for really, really greasy food!!!
|
Celia's Mexican Restaurant
Cuisine: Mexican
|
Outer Sunset |
4/12/2005
|
|
The best Vietnamese sandwiches in the city. This is a grab-n-go sort of sandwich shop for those on the run in the Civic Center locale.
|
Saigon Sandwich Shop
Cuisine: Vietnamese Deli
|
Tenderloin |
4/12/2005
|
|
The menu would make one salivate, but I wish I could say the same for the actual meal. After reading all the rave from food critics, I had expected the food to be spectacular. It was only above average at best. Don't listen to all the hype bestowed upon this restaurant...walk on by if you have another place in mind.
|
Town Hall
Cuisine: American (New)
|
SoMa |
4/12/2005
|
|
I was pretty disappointed. I've had way better Spanish tapas elsewhere, including Chicago. The paella was flavorful, but too dry. I have yet to find a Spanish restaurant in SF that compares to anything I had in Spain.
|
Zarzuela
Cuisine: Spanish Tapas
|
Russian Hill |
4/9/2005
|
|
Cute place, but the server and the bartender seemed a bit cold and aloof. What was lacking in the service, they made up for the food, which was quite delicious. The Greek salad was flavorful. I had the duck confit with white beans, which I found was a tad too salty, but still not bad. Be sure to save room for the chocolate lava cake.
|
Le Zinc
Cuisine: French (Bistro) Tapas
|
Noe Valley |
4/9/2005
|
|
This bakery serves the freshest and the most amazing Chinese pastries. The coconut cream buns are to die for. And tired of Wonderbread from you local supermarket? You couldn't get the softest freshly baked bread any where else but at Sheng Kee. They bake everything on site. Never had bread swirled with red bean paste, or filled with custard, or made from taro? I dare you to try! You won't regret it!
|
Sheng Kee Bakery
Cuisine: Asian Bakery
|
Inner Sunset |
3/28/2005
|
|
Remember back in the days when people were clueless about Chinese food and ordered "chop suey" from the menu? Well, Olive Garden reminds me of those Americanized Chinese restaurants back in the 70's and early 80's, except this place serves water-down Americanized Italian food. The only saving grace about this place is that you could fill up on the salad if you are on a budget. Olive Garden belongs in some small town, out in the middle of nowhere, that doesn't know any better or has any ideas about what Italian food is, aside from spaghetti and meatballs or lasagne. To add insult to injury, they even have a pamphlet to advertise that they send their chefs to Italy to learn about Italian cooking! What a joke! Well, at least that serves a bit of entertainment.
|
Olive Garden
Cuisine: Italian
|
Outer Sunset |
3/25/2005
|
|
The best Italian pastries, outside of North Beach. Very classy and comfortable decor.
|
Emporio Rulli Gran Caffe
Cuisine: Italian Pastry Coffee
|
Marina |
3/25/2005
|
|
This place is a dive, tucked in the heart of the Tenderloin, bordering downtown. If you want hot, spicy food, this is the place for you. I like the rangoon string beans the most. One bite and you couldn't stop eating!
|
Burma House
Cuisine: Burmese Chinese
|
Tenderloin |
3/25/2005
|
|
Pretty tasty Korean BBQ. It will fill your belly. Go with a bunch of people so you could order and try a variety of dishes.
|
The Korea House
Cuisine: Korean Barbecue bbq
|
Japantown |
3/25/2005
|
|
Good Greek food for San Francisco, but it doesn't compare to the Greek restaurants that you find in cities with a large Hellenic population, like Chicago.
|
Yianni's
Cuisine: Greek
|
Noe Valley |
3/25/2005
|
|
Generous portions at very reasonable price, friendly and warm service, and great tasting Latin food. I am talking about Peruvian comfort food. What more can one ask for?
|
Mi Lindo Peru
Cuisine: Peruvian
|
Mission |
3/25/2005
|
|
I go there because the place is quirky. I don't go there for the desserts. The ice cream, you can get anywhere.
|
Toy Boat Dessert Cafe
Cuisine: Coffee Shop Dessert Ice Cream
|
Inner Richmond |
3/6/2005
|
|
Would I spend 7-10 bucks for a hamburger? Yes. Would I get one at Joe's again? No. It was SOOO average; I want a refund! Skip the fries also; they taste like the frozen fries that you get from the supermarket. Better yet, skip this place entirely.
|
Joe's Cable Car Restaurant
Cuisine: Hamburgers American (Traditional)
|
Excelsior |
3/3/2005
|
|
Everything tasted so fresh and light. The portions are just right, not too skimpy and not too much..although, they could dole out more of those blueberry corn muffin minis. They were soooo goood!
|
Town's End Restaurant & Bakery
Cuisine: American (New) Bakeries
|
Embarcadero |
2/28/2005
|
|
The pizzas have attitude! As the name suggests, the pies are kicking with flavors. The best that I can describe them is a fusion of different ethnic cuisines: Asian, Southwestern, Mexican, Indian, Italian, Carribean. They blend the flavors in just the right portion.
|
Extreme Pizza
Cuisine: pizza
|
Cow Hollow |
2/28/2005
|
|
Elegance with a touch of class is the best way to describe this place. I was there for the holiday brunch in December. The restaurant came alive with violinists playing their music while meandering through the room. The ambiance was what I remembered the most, but the food was memorable as well. I believe that everyone needs to be pampered every now and then. This is it.
|
Garden Court
Cuisine: Californian Brunch Afternoon Tea
|
Downtown |
2/28/2005
|
|
Mitchell's is THE American version of Italian gelato. The ice cream is so rich and creamy and full of flavor. Once you've had Mitchell's ice cream, you couldn't go back to the packaged variety at your local supermarket.
|
Mitchells Ice Cream
Cuisine: Ice Cream Dessert
|
Mission |
2/28/2005
|
|
Great food and atmosphere. The wait staff is amazingly attentive and very courteous, almost like 4-star service, no kidding! Do try the chocolate cake for dessert; it's utterly divine.
|
Soluna Cafe and Lounge
Cuisine: Californian
|
Civic Center |
2/28/2005
|
|
Definitely, it's one of the MUST-EAT restaurants in the City. The flavors are exquisite. Superb is not enough to describe how great the food really is. The wait staff can help you make a selection, but you couldn't go wrong with any item on the menu. Pan-Latin cuisine is the way to go.
|
Destino
Cuisine: Nuevo Latino Tapas
|
Castro |
2/28/2005
|
|
Nesteled in an alley on the border of the Tenderloin and Downtown, Le Colonial is perhaps one of the more underrated high-end Vietnamese restaurants in the City. Unlike most Asian eateries, this place doesn't blast you with rich, strong flavors. Rather, the flavors are more subtle. As a result, the spice doesn't mask the food, but instead complements it.
|
Le Colonial
Cuisine: French (New) Vietnamese
|
Downtown |
2/18/2005
|
|
I like the theme, but not the food. It is the green version of Planet Hollywood (the now defunct chain started by Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, et al). After tasting the food, one wonders when it'll suffer the same fate as the disappearing rainforest....
|
Rainforest Cafe
Cuisine: American
|
Fishermans Wharf |
2/18/2005
|
|
This place didn't live up to the hype that other reviewers have bestowed on it. The staff was friendly, but the service could have been better. For example, I had to ask to have a refill of my ice tea. We weren't served bread until 15 minutes after we had already sat down at the table. The food is only a tad better than average. I probably won't go back.
|
Chenery Park
Cuisine: American (New)
|
Glen Park |
2/18/2005
|
|
The best dessert crepe in the City! The secret is that they use gelato, which makes a world of difference. Once you try it, you'll be hooked, no doubt!
|
Sophie's Crepes
Cuisine: Crepes Dessert
|
Japantown |
2/18/2005
|
|
You come here for the festive atmosphere, with the TV's blasting in the background the day's soccer matches and the waiters unabashedly singing Italian songs out of tune. The coffee and pastries ain't bad either.
|
Steps of Rome
Cuisine: Italian
|
North Beach |
2/13/2005
|
|
Great place to hang out in North Beach, sipping coffee, whether you are people watching, catching up with friends or relaxing with a good read.
|
Caffč Greco
Cuisine: Italian
|
North Beach |
2/13/2005
|
|
This is THE place to go to for Chinese comfort food and if you don't want to wait in long lines, endlessly waiting for a table in a Chinese restaurant. Pretty good food at extraordinarily low prices, even by Chinatown standards. You can't go wrong with ordering the jook (porridge) with pan-fried noodles and HongKong-style fried bread on the side.
|
Hing Lung
Cuisine: Chinese Seafood
|
Chinatown |
2/13/2005
|
|
Though the place is a bit cramped and the seating is not all that comfortable, the food does make up for those flaws. Yes, it's a pricey restaurant, but it's worth it. Here, you do get what you pay for. I highly recommend it.
|
Zuni Cafe
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
Hayes Valley |
2/7/2005
|
|
It's definitely a place to watch people. You just never know which celebrity might be sitting across the room from you. Aside from the scene, the food is amazing too. The Asian-Cuban flavors would open your palate to an entirely new experience indeed.
|
Asia de Cuba
Cuisine: Asian Nuevo Latino
|
Downtown |
2/6/2005
|
|
I was pretty disappointed with half of the six dishes that we ordered. The jellyfish appetizer was way too fishy. It brought back painful childhood memories of having to be forced fed cod fish oil. The fried oysters were tasteless. The eggplant dish was drenched in oil. It would certainly clot up your coronaries. The abalone, sea cucumber, lettuce dish could have fooled me. I mean, where was the abalone? I am not sure how the restaurant touts itself as one of Zagat's top rated restaurants. If you truly want the very best and freshest seafood served in a Chinese restaurant, check out Koi Palace in Daly City.
|
Great Eastern
Cuisine: Chinese Seafood Dim Sum
|
Chinatown |
2/6/2005
|
|
I had expected more from the hype and publicity that professional food critics had heaped on this restaurant. The view was great, but the food was not very memorable. Better that you go to Cityscape atop the Hilton Hotel instead.
|
Carnelian Room
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Downtown |
2/6/2005
|
|
The food is served in huge portions, but it doesn't make up for the taste. The bus boy spoke very limited English and seemed a bit surly. Overall the price is reasonable, but be forewarned that you get what you pay for.
|
Peppers Bar and Grill
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
SoMa |
2/4/2005
|
|
What stands out at Don Ramon's is the service. The wait staff is attentive, and will fill your drink or get you another serving of chips and salsa before you know it. Though definitely better than Chevy's, the food is only average. I probably wouldn't go back to eat.
|
Don Ramon's
Cuisine: Mexican
|
SoMa |
2/4/2005
|
|
As the name implies, what make this place a destination are the tarts. It also has a nice collegial feel due to its proximity to the UC campus. It will bring back college memories of the days when you brought your books to study in a cafe.
|
Tart to Tart
Cuisine: Bakeries dessert coffee
|
Inner Sunset |
2/3/2005
|
|
Good, cheap Korean food, especially if you just want to grab a bite to eat without all the fuss.
|
Hahn's Hibachi
Cuisine: Korean Barbecue bbq
|
Inner Sunset |
2/3/2005
|
|
The food is good, but the price isn't. There are many other good Indian restaurants in the City that won't dry up your bank account.
|
Maharani
Cuisine: Indian
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
2/3/2005
|
|
Don't get sick eating the cakes and pastries that are stored in gnat-infested counter bins. The desserts taste average at best. Go to a real bakery. This place ain't worth the calories.
|
Sweet Inspirations
Cuisine: Bakery
|
Castro |
2/3/2005
|
|
Good Thai food. Worth the money.
|
Cha AM Restaurant
Cuisine: Thai
|
SoMa |
2/3/2005
|
|
It's so AVERAGE!
|
Max's Opera Cafe
Cuisine: Deli Dessert
|
Civic Center |
2/3/2005
|
|
Great tasting flame-broiled burgers, and I'm not talking about Burger King. This is a no-frills and no nonsense burger joint. There's a huge array of ingredients at the salad bar, from crispy lettuce and freshly sliced tomatoes to mushrooms and beets and even pineapples. The best part is, you could pile as much on your burger as you want from the salad bar and it's all free.
|
Slider's Diner
Cuisine: American Diner Coffee Shop
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
1/23/2005
|
|
It has THE freshest hamburgers anywhere in SF! This is a must-eat burger joint worth checking out! It's located in the beautifully renovated, historic Ferry Building, where it's been converted to a foodie's paradise that would appease the most discriminant critic.
|
Taylor's Automatic Refresher
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Hamburgers
|
Embarcadero |
1/23/2005
|
|
Plain and simple, the food sucks.
|
Long Life Noodle Company and Jook Joint
Cuisine: Asian Noodle
|
SoMa |
1/21/2005
|
|
Great tasting food. It's hard to believe that it's only a museum cafe. It can stand on its own without MOMA. It's really that good!
|
Caffe Museo: SF Museum of Modern Art
Cuisine: Mediterranean
|
SoMa |
1/20/2005
|
|
Awesome Peruvian dishes! The wait can be long, but not if you get there early. This place is popular for all the right reasons (see wjboring's review). I've been there a couple of times already, and will go there again, and again, and again.....
|
Fresca
Cuisine: Peruvian
|
Upper Fillmore |
1/20/2005
|
|
This is the Slanted Door version of Thai food. The food is delicious, but overpriced, and the portions are not enough to share with more than one other person. There are plenty of good Thai places in the City that will fill your tummy and won't make you go broke. This isn't it.
|
Basil Thai Restaurant & Bar
Cuisine: Thai
|
SoMa |
1/20/2005
|
|
It's a hit or miss. Certain items taste better than others. But it's interesting that another reviewer also found the entrees to be lukewarm. It's an unique restaurant to take out-of-town guests to, but I wouldn't go there for the food. Somehow, their garlics tasted stale.
|
Stinking Rose
Cuisine: Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
1/19/2005
|
|
It's a national chain restaurant. Need I say more about the quality of the food? It's a toss up whether this or The Olive Garden is better. I mean, you could pour Ragu over pasta at home and it would taste better than what you get at Buca di Beppo. Why settle for anything less, when there are so many good authentic Italian restaurants in the City?
|
Buca di Beppo
Cuisine: Italian
|
SoMa |
1/19/2005
|
|
Are you kidding me??? They should close the restaurant down and just let people enjoy the view, since that's what people go there for any way. And the staff probably knows it, since they serve such loudsy food. This place is an absolute insult to what San Francisco restaurants are capable of.
|
Beach Chalet Brewery
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Outer Richmond |
1/17/2005
|
|
You'll get a good tasty meal at a pretty reasonable price. It's one of the best Asian fusion restaurants in the City. The place is pretty cramped though. I wonder how it ever passed the fire marshall's inspection....It's definitely not for someone clasutrophobic seeking good food.
|
SUMI
Cuisine: Fusion
|
Castro |
1/17/2005
|
|
The cook needs to be slapped for serving bad, greasy food. I made the mistake of going there in 1992, but (fast forward to 2005)I decided to give it another chance this past weekend. What a huge mistake! This place ranks beneath the national burger chains. It's really that aweful. I had to mix my own concoction of ketchup, salt and pepper to make the food somewhat palatable. If you want a good burger, it's worth strolling down to the Ferry Building to Taylor's.
|
Gordon Biersch
Cuisine: Pub Food
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
1/17/2005
|
|
Overpriced. What you are paying for is the food presentation, which, I have to admit, is like a piece of art. But then again, I could turn the TV onto the Food Network. Good food though.
|
The HOUSE
Cuisine: Pan-Asian Pacific Rim
|
North Beach |
1/14/2005
|
|
Move over, Slanted Door, PPQ is THE best Vietnamese food in the City! The garlic stir fry noodles are amazing. To get the most out of your dining experience, it is imperative that you order at least two crab dishes, prepared in different styles.
|
PPQ Vietnamese Cuisine
Cuisine: Vietnamese
|
Inner Sunset |
1/13/2005
|
|
Great tasting food. Full of flavor. You can't go wrong with anything. We get catered lunches for our office meetings from Pluto's. The name fits; it's out of this world.
|
Pluto's Fresh Food for a Hungry Universe
Cuisine: American salads
|
Inner Sunset |
1/13/2005
|
|
Good place to take your friends who have kids. Kid-friendly, that's about it. Average food, similar to what you can prepare for yourself at home.
|
Park Chow
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Inner Sunset |
1/13/2005
|
|
Out of this world! Definitely one of my favorite homegrown bakeries. The neatest part of it all is that it's a co-op, so you know that everything is prepared with heart and soul. Very fresh and tasty baked goods. From time to time, I still venture my way across to the East Bay to its siblings in Oakland and Emeryville.
|
Arizmendi Bakery
Cuisine: Bakery
|
Inner Sunset |
1/13/2005
|
|
Sorry to say, you really DON'T get what you pay for. The food is just your typical French food. Though the chef is highly rated in the culinary circle, he failed to introduce my palate to exciting new flavors. I've been to quite a few high-end restaurants, but the portions that they serve you at Fleur de Lys is ridiculous beyond belief! But you will nonetheless end up spending several hundred bucks and still feel unsatisfied. I had to grab a burger on my way home. In short, it's overrated.
|
Fleur De Lys
Cuisine: French (New)
|
Nob Hill |
1/13/2005
|
|
Great for teenagers looking to hang out, putting some quarters into the tableside jukebox and spending a few bucks on burgers and fries. A place to go to if you are looking for just so-so food to fill your tummy. But then again, you could go to your local Burger King or Mickey D and spend a lot less.
|
Mel's Drive-In
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners
|
Inner Richmond |
1/13/2005
|
|
Good food and reasonably priced. However, I had a difficult time relaxing and enjoying my meal. The tables are too closed together (imagine getting onto the 30-Stockton Muni bus), and the cliental is too stuffy for my taste. I probably wouldn't go back.
|
Garibaldis
Cuisine: Mediterranean Californian
|
Presidio Heights |
1/13/2005
|
|
Cafe Flore is only known for people watching, which is, to see and to be seen. The food is only average.
|
Cafe Flore
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Castro |
1/13/2005
|
|
The food is quite tasty and nicely presented. Yes, it's pricier than your mom-and-pop Mexican restaurant in the Mission, but it serves some of the best Mexican food around. Although it brands itself as a Mexican restaurant, it's more of a fusion of California and Mexican cuisine, with a French flair.
|
Maya Restaurant
Cuisine: Mexican
|
SoMa |
1/13/2005
|
|
Euphoria. Pure euphoria. If there was such thing as gastronomic orgasm, I felt it at Baraka. The food was so great that I couldn't stop eating! Every bite was better than the one before. It's probably one of the City's best kept secret. Need I say more?
|
Baraka
Cuisine: French Mediterranean
|
Potrero Hill |
1/13/2005
|
|
Houston's was a favorite restaurant of mine since 1998 when I first visited the restaurant in Houston, Texas. I have been going to the one in SF, since moving back to the City in 2000. It was always a reliable place to get good, wholesome food. NO MORE. I went there tonight, and I could hardly recognize the menu. The choices were pathetically paltry and frankly, boring. The worst part was most of their customers' favorite items had been removed from the menu. I ordered the Hawaiian ribeye steak. The flavoring was way off. It seemed as though the cook just slapped on some teriyaki sauce. I remember Houston's used to be pretty generous with the portion size, leaving me satisfied at the end of the meal. The final bill was $90 for an appetizer, two sub average entrees and 2 nonalcholic drinks. I left craving for more food after leaving the restaurant.
|
Houston's Restaurant
Cuisine: American
|
Embarcadero |
1/12/2005
|
|
Nice festive atmosphere, but I've had better paellas in Spain. All you taste is the salt. Good desserts though.
|
B44 Catalan Bistro
Cuisine: Spanish
|
Downtown |
1/12/2005
|
|
Good place to hang out with your friends for casual dining. I highly recommend sitting on the patio if it's not too cold outside. Just be forewarned that the restaurant sacrifices flavor for quantity. You will be well-fed indeed. It's not surprising that it's called the Cheesecake "Factory," since the cheesecakes do taste mass-produced.
|
Cheesecake Factory, The
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Dessert
|
Downtown |
1/12/2005
|
|
Freshest seafood anywhere. I didn't know that I cared for raw oysters until I had it there at Farallon. It made me a convert!
|
Farallon
Cuisine: Seafood
|
Downtown |
1/12/2005
|
|
Some of the best tasting meat dishes. The best attribute of the restaurant is that it's so environmentally conscious. All the meat are organic, and you have a choice of grain-raised versus grass-fed beef. Even the fish is from sustainable sources. My only gripe is the dessert menu. The restaurant needs to hire a new pastry chef.
|
Acme Chop House
Cuisine: Steakhouses Organic
|
Pacific Bell Park/South Beach |
1/12/2005
|
|
Even if you are not a meat lover, just go there for the chocolate lava cake, the Cake Godiva. It's ABSOLUTLEY divine.....
|
Morton's Steakhouse
Cuisine: Steakhouse
|
Downtown |
1/12/2005
|
|
If you are in a rush and have no time to eat, this is it! The pizzas are not bad tasting, and Blondie's really generous with their slices.
|
Blondie's Pizza
Cuisine: pizza
|
Downtown |
1/12/2005
|
|
The herb chicken is to die for, very moist and full of flavor. The place is a bit too cramped, but I would go there again for the food.
|
Rose's Cafe
Cuisine: Italian
|
Cow Hollow |
1/12/2005
|
|
Good cheap Italian food. Enough said.
|
Pasta Pomodoro
Cuisine: Italian
|
Cow Hollow |
1/12/2005
|
|
This ain't no Tex-Mex. The food sucks. You could do better at home. If you want to experience Tex-Mex, I mean, the real thing, you gotta go to Texas.
|
Chevy's Fresh Mex
Cuisine: Tex Mex
|
Civic Center |
1/12/2005
|
|
What's the allure? Just another fast food joint.
|
Johnny Rockets
Cuisine: Hamburgers
|
Fishermans Wharf |
1/12/2005
|
|
I've had better tasting burgers at some of the other joints in the City (see my other reviews). In N Out tastes too much like fast food. I only go there for the fries, which are some of the freshest in the business.
|
In-n-out
Cuisine: Hamburgers
|
Fishermans Wharf |
1/12/2005
|
|
My favorite place to indulge myself and forget about my diet. The ice cream will make you forget that it's a tourist trap. A great place to reward yourself indeed. For those who want to keep fit but still want to experience the heavenly sundaes at Ghiradelli's, start your trip with an easy stroll from the Embarcadero, past Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. It's a nice walk with lots of street scenes that won't bore you. Just be careful of the Bush Man!
|
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
Cuisine: Ice Cream
|
Fishermans Wharf |
1/12/2005
|
|
By far, my favorite restaurant in the City. The wait staff was attentive, and the food was amazing. The 5-star bestowed on Gary Danko's doesn't do the restaurant justice.
|
GARY DANKO
Cuisine: American (New)
|
Fishermans Wharf |
1/12/2005
|
|
This is a Four Seasons restaurant?? The food was quite average. The service was more like 3-star quality. They should have forgone all those windows. I mean, why would I want to be looking out on Market Street where homelessness is abound? It just depressed me and made me feel guilty about eating at the restaurant. Mind you, I make regular donations to charitable causes, but when I am dining at a fine restaurant, I want to have a good time.
|
Seasons Restaurant & Bar
Cuisine: Californian French
|
Downtown |
1/11/2005
|
|
Not impressed with the food at all. The pumpkin soup was way too sweet, like pumpkin pie puree. I ordered the porkchop medium-cooked, but it was basically seared on the outside. The inside was raw. There was no flavor at all. The waiter was kind enough to bring me another one, but it was no better. After my experience with the appetizer and the entree, why would I take my chances with dessert? What this restaurant lacks is a cook who really knows what homecooking is all about.
|
Home
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Castro |
1/11/2005
|
|
Very tasty..comes pretty close to Southern BBQ, though the assessment may not be fair, since I've lived in Texas, where people live and breathe barbecue. It's kind of pricey for what you get though.
|
Memphis Minnie's BBQ Joint
Cuisine: Barbecue
|
Lower Haight |
1/11/2005
|
|
Good place to try Americanized Chinese food, and I don't mean it in a bad way. Though the food doesn't taste authentic Chinese, it is quite flavorful.
|
Eliza's
Cuisine: Chinese
|
Pacific Heights |
1/11/2005
|
|
What's all the fuzz? I mean, you could get just as good dim sum, if not better, at most other Chinese tea houses. The food is average, but the price isn't.
|
Ton Kiang
Cuisine: Dim Sum Chinese
|
Outer Richmond |
1/11/2005
|
|
Haven't you ever gone to a French restaurant and wished that you would have more food on your plate? I mean, what's up with having a minute amount of food, just enough to whet your palate? Jardinerre is what most French Calfiornia restaurant isn't, meaning this place gives you a fair portion on your plate without compromising on the quality or the flavor.
|
Jardiniere Restaurant
Cuisine: Californian
|
Hayes Valley |
1/11/2005
|
|
I found the pasta and sauce very down to earth, sort of like comfort food. The restaurant, however, could spend money on better ventilation. the night that I went, it was hot and stuffy.
|
Caffe Delle Stelle
Cuisine: Italian
|
Hayes Valley |
1/11/2005
|
|
Very tasty burgers. Well worth the trip.
|
Barney's Gourmet Hamburger
Cuisine: Hamburgers
|
Marina |
1/11/2005
|
|
Run away and run fast! There's nothing authentic about this place. You get better food at the college dorm!
|
International Noodle House
Cuisine: Asian Noodles
|
Polk St./Van Ness |
1/11/2005
|
|
46 floors above the City, it's indeed a perfect spot to dazzle out-of-town guests or your special someone. However, my most recent return trip to Cityscape might just be my last, unless the current chef either quits or take a refresher course on how to cook. My appetizer with vanilla syrup soaked Bing cherries, "European" blue cheese and spring greens seemed like a good concept. But the combination tasted odd and not too palatable. The NY steak I had was unflavorful, leaving me to wonder just how long the cow had been dead. Finally, the mixed berries cobbler was dry and worse than any dessert that I had ever attempted to make myself. It does not seem fitting that this restaurant sits atop the grand Hilton Hotel.
|
Cityscape
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
|
Downtown |
1/11/2005
|
|
Better than average food, but overpriced. For what you pay, you'd be better off going to a high-end French restaurant in Downtown.
|
Le Petit Robert
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
|
Russian Hill |
1/11/2005
|
|
A must-go dining experience. The service was impeccable. You are attended to at all times by the staff. The menu itself is akin to going to a gastronomic museum, where your taste buds are being tested and challenged to try new combinations of flavors. The only gripe I have is that the bathroom is pretty far away from the restaruant...ie, on the second floor of the main lobby of the hotel.
|
Michael Mina Restaurant
Cuisine: American (New)
|
Downtown |
1/11/2005
|
|
Service was very slow. Our waiter kept forgetting whether I ordered diet or regular Pepsi. He neglected to take away our appetizer plate when our entrees came and didn'twipe the crumbs off the table when he took away our plates at the end of the meal. The pizza is nothing to write home about. I've had better pizzas elsewhere.
|
California Pizza Kitchen
Cuisine: Californian Pizza
|
Civic Center |
1/11/2005
|
|
Good food for the value. There are hits and misses for the desserts. Service could be a tad better. It can be slow at times.
|
Le Charm French Bistro
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
|
SoMa |
1/11/2005
|