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I liked, but didn't love B44. It's a solid choice on Belden and the I really liked the squids in ink Paella Negre. We had that dish and the B44 paella and one I don't remember the name but had chicken and rabbit. All were very tasty. appetizers were hit and miss, as was dessert-tiger prawns and piquillo peppers with crab were great, the cannelloni so so. If you like seafood Spanish style, this is a good place for you.
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B44 Catalan Bistro
Cuisine: Spanish
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Downtown |
10/16/2006
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The crispy chicken tacos- order three of 'em because you won't be able to stop eating. They are Sooooo good.
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Cactus Taqueria
Cuisine: Mexican
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Oakland |
6/21/2006
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I had the pho tai here the other day and it was a dream come true. I love the southern style with the sprouts and basil, but most frequently go to turtle tower because it's the best all-around quality. Bodega Bistro pho tai is the perfect mix between northern and southern it's garnished like turtle tower with ginger and cilantro, but also has sprouts and basil. I was very happy. The beef is top quality and I don't think I left a drop. The bo luc lac is superb, the tiger prawns and garlic noodles as well. I have not had anything here I didn't like.
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Bodega Bistro
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Tenderloin |
6/14/2006
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I have mixed feelings about Jack Falstaff. The service was great, the wine kept flowing, the outside patio area was a good private location for a birthday party, but the food was hit or miss. I ordered the fried chicken and found it to be curiously tasteless, just nothin there. The collard greens were good and the cornbread was mediocre. Others in my party had the roasted pork and the seared Ahi and both of those dishes fared much better. Perhaps I just chose the wrong entree or it was an off night for the chicken, but kfc beats it hands down and I didn't want that to be the case.
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Jack Falstaff
Cuisine: Eclectic
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SoMa |
4/5/2006
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Viva used to be my regular delivery option both for pizza an bolognese, but I kind of forgot about for awhile. Thanks to SF Survey, my memory was jogged and I re-listed on my speed dial. I like green olives on my pizza and Viva is one of the few places that have them. They used to have amazing meatballs with fennel sausage, but I think those went bye bye a long time ago. I'll try 'em and update. the pizza is good solid delivery, better than North beach for delivery, but North beach is better to sit in.
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Viva Restaurant
Cuisine: Pizza Italian Seafood
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North Beach |
3/15/2006
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Thank you sfsappho! Chutney delivers on the cheap and tasty. I had chicken kabob and rice for 4 bucks....Very tasty. Spicy. lots of choices, clean restaurant. A solid contender in the loin.
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Chutney
Cuisine: Indian Pakistani
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Tenderloin |
2/23/2006
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This is a really nice restaurant smack in the middle of Chinatown. I got there just too late for the Dim Sum, so I ate off the Dinner menu and it was great. I'm pretty American in my tastes, i.e. no frog or duck tongues, and this menu has plenty of stuff like that, but there is also plenty for the less adventurous. I had the crispy fried chicken and the snow pea sprouts with crab. The chicken was good and the presentation was beautiful. The snow pea sprouts with crab was amazing. It looked just kind of gooey and I hesitated, but as soon as I got a taste, I was all over that. A little expensive, but nice, clean, white tablecloths place. You'll be in the know after eating here. Thanks SF Survey for the reviews that made me try it.
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Great Eastern
Cuisine: Chinese Seafood Dim Sum
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Chinatown |
2/18/2006
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old school. table side service and good prime rib. good for the carnivore in your life.
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House of Prime Rib
Cuisine: Steakhouses
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Polk St./Van Ness |
2/18/2006
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I love Hahn's. the spicy pork with a side of kim chee or the Bi Bim Bob are both good choices. It's way cheaper than standard Korean barbecue, kind of the semi-fast food version. The menu is hilarious.
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Hahn's Hibachi
Cuisine: Korean Barbecue bbq
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Polk St./Van Ness |
2/18/2006
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I'm a sucker for atmosphere, so I love this late night diner. A little san francisco history and hustlers all in one.
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Grub Stake
Cuisine: American Portugese
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Polk St./Van Ness |
2/18/2006
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Oh my God, what a hole this place is, but it is damn tasty. The five spice chicken and rice with meat sauce is Vietnamese comfort food. I love bringing people here to frighten and amaze them at the same time. Plus it's really really cheap. Limited menu.
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Cordon BLEU Vietnamese Restaurant
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Polk St./Van Ness |
2/18/2006
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Yummy Yummy Tomasso's. Wonderful pizza. Family atmosphere. Worth the wait, or get your pie to go. I get the clams pizza here and I don't even really like clams, but it's so good. A san francisco original. You must have at least tried this pizza to call yourself a san franciscan.
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Tommaso's
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
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North Beach |
2/18/2006
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Holy Cannoli. Great pastries and cookies. open late for dessert and coffee, a great way to wind down the evening.
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Stella Pastry
Cuisine: Italian Pastry Coffee
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North Beach |
2/18/2006
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Hole in the wall with great food. Cheap, spicy, wonderful. Sit at one of the two sidewalk tables, or stay inside for the grungy steaminess of the surroundings.
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Naan 'n Curry
Cuisine: Pakistani Indian
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North Beach |
2/18/2006
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Fantastic focaccia sandwiches!. This place is a North Beach icon and rightly so. Either eating there or taking your lunch to the park, you can't go wrong with Mario's
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Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe
Cuisine: Italian
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North Beach |
2/18/2006
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A rite of passage for San Francisco transplants is a series of drunken nights in North Beach followed by Golden Boy Pizza eaten in the alley by Gino and Carlo with your friends. Makes for fond memories, but not for good pizza.
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Golden Boy Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
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North Beach |
2/18/2006
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Tourist trap. looks inviting because of the checkered sidewalk and outdoor tables, and the food is okay, but it's not the place to go in North Beach for good Italian food. Try Steps of Rome, or Macaroni.
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Calzone's Pizza Cucina
Cuisine: Italian
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North Beach |
2/18/2006
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Great coffee. historic cafe, fresh roasted by the pound next door. Can be very welcoming and comfortable. The staff is always nice, but sometimes the clientele seems a bit snooty in a shabby intellectual way (at night), maybe it's just a testosterone overload at certain times. During the day, I've always enjoyed myself.
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Caffe Trieste
Cuisine: Coffee Pizza
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North Beach |
2/18/2006
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First of all, it's the most beautiful building in the city. Great location for sitting outside. the pizzas and salads are good. Solid choice-great atmosphere.
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Cafe Zoetrope
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
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North Beach |
2/18/2006
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Good cheese steaks. Sit at the window and watch the north beach madness
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Buster's
Cuisine: Cheese Steak
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North Beach |
2/18/2006
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Delancy Street is graded on the curve for me because of their amazing mission and success with it. Even without the curve, the food is good and reasonable (pretty cheap actually), the location is great, and the service is earnest and good most of the time. Great place for a birthday party or a weekend lunch and stroll along the embarcadero. Good Karma awaits you.
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Delancey Street
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Embarcadero |
2/18/2006
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good burgers, with toppings bar to make it just like you like it. plus they have barbecue sauce for the fries. yum! You can have a burger and watch some tv. dependable and affordable.
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Sliders Diner
Cuisine: Hamburgers Diner
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Castro |
2/16/2006
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It's okay. It's a tourist spot but you could do worse. you also could do better. It is in an alley right by the tennis courts and the atmosphere of the neighborhood is cool, with the clatter of mah jong tiles in the neighboring buildings. If I wanted to show off Dim Sum, I'd go somewhere else, like Great Eastern, but if I wanted dim sum in a chinatown alley-and sometimes I do-I'd go here.
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Hang Ah Tea Room
Cuisine: Dim Sum Chinese
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Chinatown |
2/16/2006
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This is hands down the best bakery in Chinatown. The custards are fantastic and always fresh and hot. The line is always out the door, but it's so worth it. You can look at all the goodies in the window while you wait. Ask anyone in Chinatown. This is the place.
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Golden Gate Bakery
Cuisine: Chinese Bakeries
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Chinatown |
2/16/2006
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I agree with sfmiss. Empress of China used to be tres chic and glamorous and is still decorated the same, with fading photos of all your favorite 70's stars downstairs by the elevators. Very Streets of San Francisco and great for a cocktail with fabulous views. The food is okay, but not very good, and too expensive for the quality. If you like kitsch, you'll love Empress, but I wish it really were good, with a room and views like that, it's a waste.
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Empress of China
Cuisine: Chinese
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Chinatown |
2/16/2006
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Good Pork buns. big and cheap and great when they're fresh.
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Eastern Bakery
Cuisine: Bakeries
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Chinatown |
2/16/2006
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The pizza is really good, small personal serving, with just the right combo of cheese and pepperoni, and the salads are great. The pasta is hit or miss and the service is good. It's fun to have a drink at a sidewalk table on a warm day, especially if you are supposed to be at work. I've always really enjoyed my food here.
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Nob Hill Cafe
Cuisine: Italian
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Nob Hill |
2/15/2006
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Great find on nob hill. Excellent food quality and service. romantic calm cozy atmosphere and surprisingly reasonably priced. all around good bet.
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Venticello Ristorante
Cuisine: Italian
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Nob Hill |
2/15/2006
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Uncle Vito's is my stand-by. Right by my apartment. Nice staff, good simple food. pizzas and sandwiches are good. Pasta not so much. plus on mondays you can sit in the window next to the Brown twins and watch the cable cars go down the hill. they also deliver (The restaurant, not the twins.)
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Uncle Vito's Pizzeria
Cuisine: Italian Pizza
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Nob Hill |
2/15/2006
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The food can be okay and the servers try, but don't really succeed. Breakfast is a better bet than lunch, and don't do dinner. it's bad and overpriced. This place has potential, but the owner prefers the tourist crowd to any return diners and the food and service match that attitude.
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Roxanne's Cafe
Cuisine: American (New)
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Nob Hill |
2/15/2006
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Good Deli and comfort food. Not too expensive by Deli standards either. a good place for a pastrami sandwich or brisket and mashed potatoes.
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East Coast West Delicatessen
Cuisine: Deli
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Nob Hill |
2/15/2006
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Decent Hofbrau. Way better than lefty O'doul's the corn beef is good, and there's tons of beer.
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Tommy's Joynt
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Downtown |
2/15/2006
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I love the gyoza and the spicy tuna roll. Also the Sumo on tv is fun. It's right around the corner from my apartment, so it's a convenience.
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Tempura House
Cuisine: Japanese Sushi
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Downtown |
2/15/2006
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Tad's is not a great steakhouse. but it is a fun one, with loads of old san francisco atmosphere and cheap steak to get beef fix. I like it cuz it's open pretty late compared to a lot of stuff in the neighborhood and sometimes after rehearsals I'm famished. It hits the spot.
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Tad's Steak House
Cuisine: American Steak House
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Downtown |
2/15/2006
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If you want a good piece of meat, go to the bar, watch the game and get the filet or the rib eye. Both are really good. The sides are big enough to split and the bartenders are always very friendly. It is expensive though, so beware, but sometimes you just gotta spend for quality steak in SF.
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Morton's Steakhouse
Cuisine: Steakhouse
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Downtown |
2/15/2006
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The food is pretty bad hofbrau food. go to Brennans in Berkeley if you want good stuff. the meats are tough and chewy and the bread is stale. That said, the atmosphere is great for people watching and getting a feel of old san francisco cafeteria dining. quite a few old-timers come here, along with the tourists, and I still go now and then for the baseball trivia and photos and the people-watching.
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Lefty O'Douls
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Hofbrau
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Downtown |
2/15/2006
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I love Hunan. The whole Henry's empire. The hot and spicy fish is a most unusual and pleasing taste. I love the spicy. The dumplings are good, swimming in their vinegar, anything with the smoked ham is super chinese-style comfort food. Tasty and cheap. What's not to like?
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Hunan
Cuisine: Chinese
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Downtown |
2/15/2006
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The food is way too expensive for what it is, but it's okay. The thing about this spot is its location, right across the street from the Chinatown gates, with plenty of sidewalk seating, So I'd go for a coffee
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Cafe De La Presse
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Downtown |
2/15/2006
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This is a get 'em in get 'em out place with decent rice plates and soups, though the beef in the noodle soup is super chewy (working out your jaw chewy) but somehow still tasty. What I like is it's open late and a good spot for people watching. Cash only.
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Bangkok Noodles
Cuisine: Thai Noodle Shops
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Downtown |
2/15/2006
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I like the chicken burritos here, but it's not a destination. Chips are extra. but There's really not a lot of burrito choices in that area, and it's fine in a pinch.
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360 Degrees Gourmet Burritos
Cuisine: Mexican
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Downtown |
2/15/2006
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Many years ago, I ordered a Salisbury steak I swear was a frozen dinner and decided I wouldn't come here anymore. However, looking for breakfast in my neighborhood can be tough, so I went back and was pleasantly surprised by the food. It's a tourist trap to be sure, but if you're in the neighborhood and hungry for American diner food, you could do a lot worse than Lori's. Also, the apple pie is surprisingly good.
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Lori's Diner
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Coffee Shops/Diners
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Downtown |
2/15/2006
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I just had a great burger and onion rings here. Sat outside in the sun. My companion had the coleslaw and it is really good too. Good quality beef and all ingredients are fresh. Perfect for lunch on a sunny day.
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Burgermeister
Cuisine: Hamburgers Niman Ranch Beef
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Haight-Ashbury/Cole Valley |
2/14/2006
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Pancho Villa is King of the San Francisco-style burrito. addictively good. Everything is fresh, the service is fast and I've always found a seat no matter how impossible it looks at the beginning of the line. There are a couple sister joints, El Toro being one of them. I like them all, but El Toro doesn't have flame broiling, just a regular grill. I've been going for 15 years and I'll continue to use this place as my example of San Francisco Burrito.
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Pancho Villa Taqueria
Cuisine: Mexican
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Mission |
2/12/2006
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hole in the wall atmosphere, awesome food. spicy spicy spicy and delicious. this is the real deal.
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Shalimar Gardens
Cuisine: Pakistani Indian
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Tenderloin |
2/12/2006
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Be late for work and go on a weekday. Sit at the counter and watch'em go. The toast and all the breads are great and it's one of the few places in the city that actually know how to cook over-medium eggs-not soggy-not burnt. I really like this place, but I go during the week to avoid the long wait.
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Dottie's True Blue Cafe
Cuisine: Coffee Shops/Diners Breakfast
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Tenderloin |
2/11/2006
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This place has the best yellow curry in the city. I jones for it sometimes. the service is good and no dish has disappointed. I think it's a step up from most neighborhood Thai restaurants and well worth its rep. This is where I bring friends who are trying Thai for the first time. Very accessible food, nice presentation.
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Manora's Thai Cuisine
Cuisine: Thai
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SoMa |
2/11/2006
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Utopia has the best wor wontons ever, big and meaty and oh so tasty. the greens are really good and huge portions. The clay pots are a specialty and are exceptional and the juk is good for a rainy day. This place can sometimes be a little too authentic for visitors and locals alike, but they do have the standard sweet and sours etc. for guests who might be a little frightened. I used to go here all the time, now I have to go back. Say hello to Winnie. She owns the place and is very nice. It's also cheap and on Waverly alley in Chinatown so you can enjoy your clay pot and imagine tong wars in the gold rush outside the window. So truly San Francisco.
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Utopia Cafe
Cuisine: Hong Kong Clay Pot
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Chinatown |
2/11/2006
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Yea, A16! I love the Napoli style pizza and the changing menu gives me a chance to try great new dishes. This is a good place to take someone for a birthday or to meet an old friend. The wines are really good and Shelley is just about the nicest person on the planet. This place feels warm to me and I enjoy stopping in.
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A16
Cuisine: Italian Wine Bar
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Marina |
2/11/2006
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The only thing edible here is the chips and salsa, which are pretty tasty. Everything else I've ever ordered here is so bad it's laughable. Some people I know insist on coming here with large groups all the time and I guess I see the sense in that it's big and used to large groups, but I groan every time I hear "Let's meet at Chevy's after" It's just that bad and I'm not one to give bad reviews lightly like a lot of food snobs who seem to hate food. Go there in a large group if you must, just don't expect anything and you'll be fine. load up on chips and salsa
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Chevy's Fresh Mex
Cuisine: Tex-mex Mexican
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Embarcadero |
2/11/2006
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There is nothing more California than a double-double animal-style dude.
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In-n-out
Cuisine: Hamburgers
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Fishermans Wharf |
2/11/2006
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This is THE place to take out of town guests for Dim Sum. The choices are all over the place and they have some not so traditional dishes like grilled prawn wrapped in bacon and grilled scallion dim sum. It is swank, the hostesses are all beautiful, leggy model types, the service is great, the food is wonderful, I've taken many visitors here for high-end dim sum and it's always been a hit. WARNING. very expensive. this is not the place for everyday dim sum-special occasions only.
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Yank Sing
Cuisine: Chinese Dim Sum
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Embarcadero |
2/11/2006
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Salt and pepper prawns. Get 'em. I like this place. atmosphere is perfect for late night florescent dining and people watching.
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Yuet Lee
Cuisine: Chinese Seafood
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Chinatown |
2/11/2006
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I picked positive because the pizza is really good, especially the simple and divine plain cheese. It's pretty expensive and one person can eat a whole pizza-wait is that just me?-the salads are just okay. really, the pizza is yummy. I almost picked neutral or negative because I used to get it delivered all the time, then I was suddenly booted into the SOMA delivery area and their minimum for delivery is $30. What the? So I haven't had it in a long time. I do miss it though-Seems strange to dis a regular like that.
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Amici's East Coast Pizzeria
Cuisine: pizza
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Cow Hollow |
2/11/2006
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Yes it's a chain, but it's also really good. I love the grilled chicken with greens and the asparagus. the soups can be great. Some of the pastas can be iffy but there's enough good to make it worth going. This isn't fine dining, it's more perfect for the after work before rehearsal need something good and reasonable situation
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Pasta Pomodoro
Cuisine: Italian
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Noe Valley |
2/11/2006
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Decent, not particularly good. It works in a pinch if you need delivery, but I wouldn't seek it out. it is a chain after all. I've read reviews comparing it to frozen pizza. it's more like what frozen pizza aspires to be, and sometimes that's just fine. I admit I enjoy a frozen Tony's sometimes myself. It's pretty cheap too. The name is so gimmicky it should be an SNL sketch-EXTREME accountants!!-Bottom line-it is what it is. okay, not good.
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Extreme Pizza
Cuisine: pizza
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Upper Fillmore |
2/11/2006
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This place is fantastic for dumplings all day and for dinner. The other dishes are also very good. I ordered the soy braised pork rump for $12.95 and it fed me and my friend for several days. the soup dumplings are addictive and the sauce is very good black vinegar style with shredded ginger. very inexpensive and very tasty. I saw an ad in the weekly they moved to millbrae, but I haven't verified this. Update 4/6/06. dumpling shop is still there, menus are new so maybe it's a new chef...it's still mighty good. and cheap cheap.
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Shanghai Dumpling Shop
Cuisine: Chinese
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Outer Richmond |
2/10/2006
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Panchos has killer tacos, beef chicken or fish, hand-made tortillas, a little cilantro and onion, then off to the salsa bar which is great. I almost always get the steak tacos and they are awesome. My friend loves the fish tacos. Burritos and such are pretty good, but it's the tacos that rock.
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Pancho's Salsa Bar & Grill
Cuisine: Mexican
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Polk St./Van Ness |
2/10/2006
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I love steps of rome. I stumbled upon it one day a few years ago and fell in love with the pizza (very thin-cracker-like crust) , the bruschetta and the penne al vodka. I also loved the cute italian waiters (gay girl crush) and the art of flirting they have perfected. late at night, it becomes a euro-pop club type scene, but this is just as fun in it's own way once you get past the men with ponytails. It's a fun time and the food is really good. the espresso is fantastic. Cash only though, so be prepared
Update: last couple times the pizza margherita has had way too much cheese on it, making it a gooey mess. if you order it, ask 'em to go light on the cheese.
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Steps of Rome
Cuisine: Italian
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North Beach |
2/10/2006
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This pho is very good. and also very different from most of what you find around town. It's northern style, clear wonderful broth. the noodles are flat and very fresh, bowl also has green onion, ginger, and cilantro; almost a Chinese style soup. this is one you don't want to put a lot of sriracha in because of the nuanced broth. highly recommended
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Turtle Tower
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Tenderloin |
2/10/2006
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My favorite pho in SF. This is southern style with rich broth and garnishes. I've read other reviews that say consistency is a problem, but I eat the pho bo tai here almost daily and it's always great. The menu is also quite extensive so it's good for large parties.
Update-recently had a large party there and consensus was the chicken pho is just okay. Go for the Beef. Update: I have seen the light. while this pho will always have a special place in my heart because it's the one that got me hooked, it simply cannot compare to Turtle Tower and Bodega Bistro. I cannot in good conscience recommend it when these other two restaurants are so much better.
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Vietnam II Seafood Restaurant
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Tenderloin |
2/10/2006
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