POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Forums Gatherings => Topic started by: allanq on May 14, 2007, 05:45:56 pm
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David_NC mentioned that it would be nice to have a list of restaurants for those attending AMG 07. I thought I'd give it a start by listing some restaurants that I would recommend. I hope others from the Bay Area will add to this list.
CASTRO AREA - There are many restaurants along Castro Street. The following is a very small sampling. (Note: to get to Castro Street from the hotel, take the underground Muni Metro K, L, or M train four stops (outbound direction) to the Castro stop. You can also take the slower above-ground route on the F-Line vintage trolleys that run along Market Street.)
Catch - 2362 Market Street, near Castro, a few doors up from Pottery Barn. Nice atmosphere, good food, good service, moderate prices. As you would expect from the restaurant's name, there are lots of seafood selections on the menu. The covered outdoor area is very pleasant. I like the fish and chips. This is a fairly large restaurant and would be a good choice for a group of ten or more.
Chow - 215 Church Street, just south of Market. This is a few blocks from the central area of Castro Street, but it's worth the walk. It's close to the Church Street station on the Metro. The food is very good and the prices reasonable. Menu ranges from pasta dishes to fish and meat dishes, all very nicely prepared. The restaurant is usually crowded, so it may not be good for large groups.
Luna Piena Caffe - 558 Castro Street, between 18th and 19th Streets. (The name is Italian for "full moon.") I like this restaurant mostly for its very nice garden patio. It's a great place for lunch or weekend brunch. The indoor dining area isn't nearly as nice.
The Sausage Factory - 517 Castro, between 18th and 19th Street. This restaurant has been on Castro Street for almost 40 years. It won't win any awards for refined cuisine, but the food is uncomplicated and satisfying.
UNION SQUARE AREA - This area near the hotel has one of the greatest concentration of restaurants in San Francisco. There are lots of choices in all price ranges. Since I don't eat out that often around here, my recommendations are limited.
Cheesecake Factory - 251 Geary St, on the top floor of Macy's on Union Square. This is part of a chain of restaurants, but I like it anyway. The restaurant is beautiful, the food is satisfying, and the portions are huge. (Don't bother ordering an appetizer, and if you order a dessert, share it.) On nice days, you can sit outside, overlooking Union Square. It's very popular, so you usually have to wait for a table.
Emporio Rulli - This is a little pastry shop and sandwich place right in Union Square. It's good for a light lunch or an afternoon coffee and pastry. The grilled panini (sandwiches) are excellent. Beautiful and delicious pastries as well. A good place to sit outside and take in the Union Square scene.
ALONG THE WATERFRONT
Fog City Diner - 1300 Battery Street. This very pleasant diner is across the Embarcadero from Pier 27. It's about a ten minute walk from the Ferry Building. (Go left, as you face the Ferry Building.) Excellent American food in a very nice setting.
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Thanks Alan, this kind of info will be so helpful!
RAB :)
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I have been to a Mexican restaurant on Valencia and 20th street. a couple of times. It has been owned and operated by the same family for 55 years and the food is wonderful, just like coming off grandma's table. Have the best day
Michael
(who used to have an addiction for Alioto #9 on Fisherman's Wharf)
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I know that at previous AMG's in Toronto and Montreal, it was a bit of a problem finding places to eat, especially for larger groups.
This will likely remain a problem in San Francisco. Most restaurants in San Francisco are not set up to accommodate groups of 8 or more arriving at the same time for dinner. It would probably be best to split up into smaller groups when going to dinner.
I can think of a number of large restaurants, but they are in the Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 area, which is not that convenient to reach from the hotel.
There are many dining choices in the Union Square area near the hotel. If you want to just have a simple, inexpensive meal, Lori's Diner at 149 Powell St. is less than two blocks from the hotel. (This might be a good place for breakfast, as well.)
The Castro Street area has a lot of restaurants concentrated in a compact area, which makes it easy to split up and then regroup after dinner. Castro Street is just an 8- or 10-minute ride from the hotel on the K, L, or M line on the underground Muni Metro. You can also take the F-Line trolley to the end of the line (in the direction away from the Ferry Building).
Canadian restaurants are very gracious about giving each diner a separate check, but if you ask for separate checks in San Francisco, you will probably encounter a good deal of resistance. People should be prepared to either split the bill evenly or else keep track of their share of the bill, including 25% for tax and tip. (Tax in San Francisco is 8.75%.) It won't hurt to ask for separate checks, but do it before you order.
Allan
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Are there any Thai restaurants near the hotel?
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Isn't chinatown close-by? Any recommendations for chinatown?
Mike
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Dan,
Thai food is very popular in San Francisco. Here's a Thai restaurant I found that's very close to the hotel: King of Thai Noodle House (http://www.yelp.com/biz/udYo3BZ0Y3nR1iOtk58Inw). As you can see from the reviews on the website, some people loved it, others hated it.
Here's another one that's 6 blocks from the hotel: Osha Thai Noodle Cafe (http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/863451/san_francisco_ca/osha_thai_noodle_cafe.html). This one seems to have gotten better reviews than the King of Thai Noodle House.
There are a couple of Thai restaurants on Castro Street, but I can't vouch for their quality, except for the one across the street from the Castro Theater on the second floor above a bar. I can't remember the name of it, but don't go there! The food is lousy!
Asian restaurants in San Francisco (Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian) usually have pretty reasonable prices. The Tenderloin is an area about 5 blocks west of Union Square, and there are lots of Asian restaurants there.
Allan
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Isn't chinatown close-by? Any recommendations for chinatown?
Mike
just stay away from Grant St...the major street and also the tourist trap...the best things are found on the side streets of Chinatown.
Rich
(who loves shopping in Chinatown)
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Here are a couple of web links that have some food reviews, as well as a little of this, a little of that.....
http://www.mistersf.com/ (http://www.mistersf.com/)
some restaurant reviews, but more of a general overview of san francisco sights.
http://www.fogwatch.com (http://www.fogwatch.com)
this is the better site for links to restuarant reviews, etc.
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Thanks for starting this thread Allan. I just wanted to mention that while I was researching options for the Meet & Greet, the marketing manager of Bubba Gumps on Pier 39 expressed interest in hosting our group. If enough people expressed iterest in dining togethor beforehand, something could probably be easily arranged.
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Thanks for starting this thread Allan. I just wanted to mention that while I was researching options for the Meet & Greet, the marketing manager of Bubba Gumps on Pier 39 expressed interest in hosting our group. If enough people expressed iterest in dining togethor beforehand, something could probably be easily arranged.
I am always ready for some seafood!
Dan j.
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That sounds great Dennis...on the pier for dinner.
Jody
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Here are a few more random thoughts about places to eat.
The Westfield Shopping Center is right across Market Street from the Powell Hotel. The lower level has a collection of cafeteria-style restaurants that are reasonably priced. These places are not big on ambiance, but they're good if you just want a simple and quick meal. Macy's "cellar" also has a food court.
So if you're tempted to go the MacDonald's or BurgerKing up the street, check out the above places first.
Even if you don't eat or shop at the Westfield Shopping Center, take a look at the beautifully restored dome of the old Emporium Department store. If you enter at street level, take the escalator up one level.
Allan
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Allan,
I might have suggested this topic, but I somehow missed it! Thanks for putting the list together.
David
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I was talking to a friend today about AMG 07. He recommended a restaurant on Pier 39, and I wanted to pass it on.
It's called "Crepe Cafe." It's not a place for a big meal, but if you're looking for a reasonably priced lunch, it sounds like a good possibility. It's on the first level of the Pier, not too far from the Entrance Plaza.
There are lots of other places to eat on Pier 39 in all price ranges.
Allan
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A bit upscale, but there is:
Kuleto Italian Restaurant (http://www.kuletos.com/) Menu (http://www.kuletos.com/menu/dinnermenu.shtml)
And for breakfast/brunch, highly recommended and more affordable:
Sears' World Famous 18 Little Swedish Pancakes (http://www.unionsquareshop.com/pages/searsFineFood.html)
Milker.
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Would love to try Kuleto's. Great menu! Not sure I'd be up for dressing the part though.
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Allan,
Can you recommend a few other places for a quick and inexpensive lunch close to the ferry departure for those going to Alcatraz after the morning walk.
Dennis
I was talking to a friend today about AMG 07. He recommended a restaurant on Pier 39, and I wanted to pass it on.
It's called "Crepe Cafe." It's not a place for a big meal, but if you're looking for a reasonably priced lunch, it sounds like a good possibility. It's on the first level of the Pier, not too far from the Entrance Plaza.
There are lots of other places to eat on Pier 39 in all price ranges.
Allan
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Sears is the best breakfast eatery in town. No doubt about it. Only, I thought they had filed for bankruptcy and closed their doors. The web site says they're open and if that's the case, go for it. I really, really recommend it.
IT's breakfast only. They close at noon or 1 or something. Get their early. Usually there is a line out the door and down the street.
robert
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Sears is the best breakfast eatery in town. No doubt about it. Only, I thought they had filed for bankruptcy and closed their doors. The web site says they're open and if that's the case, go for it. I really, really recommend it.
IT's breakfast only. They close at noon or 1 or something. Get their early. Usually there is a line out the door and down the street.
robert
Oh thanks I thought they did brunch too, so it's good to know!
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The best bet for a quick and cheap lunch before Alcatraz is on Pier 39. The Alcatraz ferry leaves from Pier 33-- just a five-minute walk from Pier 39. There's a place called Hook & Cook ("chicken, ribs, fish & chips") that looks like it might be good for a quick and cheap meal. It's on Level 1 of Pier 39, just before the Crepe Cafe. I haven't eaten there, so I can't vouch for the quality of the food.
I'm not familiar with the restaurants on Pier 39. I've eaten at Neptune's Palace and Dante's Seafood Grill, but they're for a more leisurely and expensive meal. A nice lunch at those places would probably cost around $25.
The Ferry Building is the equivalent of Pier 0. The odd-numbered piers go north from the Ferry Building, and the even-numbered piers go south toward the Giants' ball park (AT&T Stadium).
Kuleto's is a nice looking Italian restaurant. I haven't eaten there, so I can't comment on the food. It's close to the hotel. If you wear a shirt with sleeves and long pants you'll be fine in all but the most high-end restaurants. If you're planning to go to Masa's or Fleur de Lys or Aqua (think $150 for dinner), you should bring a jacket and tie. (But if you're going there you should already have reservations.)
Sear's Fine Foods is about two blocks up Powell Street from the hotel. It's very popular with tourists, so there would probably be a good wait for prime time breakfast.
Allan
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Sears is the best breakfast eatery in town. No doubt about it. Only, I thought they had filed for bankruptcy and closed their doors. The web site says they're open and if that's the case, go for it. I really, really recommend it.
IT's breakfast only. They close at noon or 1 or something. Get their early. Usually there is a line out the door and down the street.
robert
Sears it is, then! I am awake at 5 am each morning. Sometimes it's annoying cuz I have to wait for most cities to wake up before I venture out for coffee & breakfast. Glad to know there is someplace open at 6:30 am for an excellent breakfast!
xxx,
Mike
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Sears it is, then! I am awake at 5 am each morning. Sometimes it's annoying cuz I have to wait for most cities to wake up before I venture out for coffee & breakfast. Glad to know there is someplace open at 6:30 am for an excellent breakfast!
xxx,
Mike
Make sure you go to the restaurant, not the dept store. I'd hate you see you come back to the hotel with a lawn mower on an empty stomach.
Milker.
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Another restaurant recommendation near the hotel:
Anjou (http://www.anjou-sf.com) at 44 Campton Place (an alley off Stockton St. between Post & Sutter St.
It's a French restaurant with excellent food and reasonable prices. It's a small restaurant, so it's not suitable for large groups. It's open for lunch and dinner.
Allan
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Make sure you go to the restaurant, not the dept store. I'd hate you see you come back to the hotel with a lawn mower on an empty stomach.
Milker.
OH! Well, I'll just have to bang on your door to come with...
Lordy, two frenchmen would be sure to find the right Sears, huh?
xxx,
Mike