San Francisco restaurant recommendations?

Hi chefsteps community,

The girlfriend and I are planning a trip to SF this August and would love some feedback from you guys for restaurants that must be tried. Also wanted to go for our first Michelin experience.

TFL is a bit out of my budget (and i doubt I would get a reservation at this point).

Was looking into coi but I think we wouldn't fully appreciate a vegetable centric menu.

Suggestions for fine dining and casual both welcomed.

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Tim_Sutherland_52834

For surviving 45 laps of the Sun, my wife and I are doing Coi, The French Laundry, and The Restaurant at Meadowood in late August. I should be starred out by the end of the weekend (not to mention an empty wallet).

TFL booking was via the Amex Platinum Dining Reservations, and the other two restaurants via their respective websites (both are via opentable).

mike.minasian

For last minute reservations at top restaurants, check hackertable.com

For casual, my list is as follows:

color:#222222">My #1 place in SF is still Flour + Water (Pizza and

pasta). Basically everything I've had is amazing. It will likely be

impossible to get a reservation. Alternatively, they open at 5:30. So if you line

up at 5:00 you'll get in the first seating with almost no wait.

Other fun places: Lers Ros (MUST TRY

AMAZING THAI FOOD (get the Duck Larb, and Pork Belly)), Blue Bottle Coffee in

the Ferry Building on Saturday mornings has these amazing Leige Belgian Waffles

(basically waffles made with pearl sugar and eaten by hand, it's like a street

food thing in Belgium).

font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#222222">If you want a cool bar to go

chill and watch sports - Giordano Brothers (Best wings and "Primanti

Brothers" style sandwiches ever)

color:#222222">INDIAN: Dosa on Filmore, Burma Superstar

color:#222222">Brunch: Plow, Foreign Cinema, Blue Bottle Waffles (Ferry

Building)

I have a friend who tried Commis recently and had great things to say about it.

This list is always a good starting point:

http://sf.eater.com/archives/2014/04/08/the_38_essential_san_francisco_restaurants_april_2014.php

and this

http://sf.eater.com/archives/2014/06/05/the_bay_area_heatmap_where_to_eat_now_16.php

Matthew_Snyder_68770

It's not a restaurant, but if you have a pulse you have to hit the Saturday farmers market at the Ferry Building and get a porchetta sandwich from the Roli Roti truck. It is legit bonkers good.

Tony's Pizza Napoletana was outstanding. Also had a fabulous meal at Incanto, but I just found out that it's now closed. Sad face.

On the to-do list is Atelier Crenn. Two Michelin stars, modernist point of view. And Chef Dominique Crenn hand-writes a poem on each day's menu, so that's fun.

nick.pmallon

Michael Minasian's list is spot on.

Also recommend SPQR for michelin Italian dining, Luce for farm to table. Dosa for Indian, Quince for a fine dining tasting menu, Coqueta on the water for beautiful Spanish food from Chef Chiarello.

Dynamo Donuts for breakfast, Brenda's or Mama's for brunch.

Coffee either Blue Bottle or Ritual would be my go to's.

Bakery: B. Patisserie or Tartine.

A must try for Ice Cream is Bi-Rite by Dolores Park.

Sandwiches gotta try Ike's.

Have fun!

nick.pmallon

State Bird Provisions is a must. Don't know how i forgot that. Get there at 445 or 5 and wait to get your name on the list. I usually call day of and ask if any cancellations have opened up. Hasn't failed me yet.

ren_74229

Here are my recs based on your post. Also, if you let me know where you're from, I can emphasize places that do not have analogues:

Fine Dining:
Benu: Modern Technique plus Cory has a unique voice. Feel that they're totally underrated.
Commis: (full disclosure, I worked here). Again, a unique voice, original cuisine, and great product...also always under priced. Sit at the bar, and you'll see everything cooked right in front of you.
Rich Table: Probably my favorite place bridging both fine dining and the familiar.
Wakuriya: In San Mateo, and run by a husband and wife team. He cooks, she's the whole front of house. Perhaps your only opportunity to see kaiseki cusine cooked right in front of you.

Bay Area Classics still worth visiting:
Chez Pannise Upstairs
Zuni Cafe
Swan Oyster Depot: Go first thing in the morning for breakfast, and you're more likely to avoid the monster lines

Casual:
Kin Khao: Thai food from a unique perspective
La Palma Mexicatessen: my favorite place for tacos made with hand made tortillas
Outerlands: GKC has recently taken over a brunch favorite and should be doing all sorts of good things
La Cicca: A chef favorite...honest Sardinian food in a legit neighborhood restaurant.
Old Mandarin Islamic: Hot pot, Offal, and all kinds of fun noodley dishes
State Bird: Follow Nick's advice...getting a res is a losing game.

Favorites at the Saturday Ferry Plaza Farmers Market:
Chilaquilles at Primavera
Sweet Biscuits at Biscuit Bender
Ice cream at Cremeux ex Machina

More sweet stuff:
B. Patisserie and Tartine Bakery for sure!
Downtown Bakery or Della Fatoria at the Sat Market
Mitchell's Ice Cream
Soft Serve at Zero Zero

Drinks:
Hard Water if you're into American Whiskey
Monk's Kettle, City Beer Store in SF or Beer Revolution in Oakland for beer
Smuggler's Cove for Rum
Alembic for Cocktails
Keiko a Nob Hill: for Burgundy

Brandon_34695

Manressa, Benu, Coi.

Brandon_34695

I like the coffee at Tartine better than Blue Bottle.

lfmichaud

I'll be doing Wine country and SF in October so I'll be really lookind at this tread. For now we're planning TFL fo sure and probably Coi but I'll be taking any recommendations with pleasure. :-) Any good recommendations for coffee?

Martin_Cheung_21050

Thanks everyone! This was way more than I expected. Now the hard part is trying to fit all of this in to our trip.

Tim, I can't wait to hear about your experiences. Too bad I'm going to sf before you.

Michael, thanks for the protip on hacker table. Will definitely check that out.

Ren, we are from vancouver so we haven't really experienced a sophiscated food scene outside of Seattle. *

* not to say vancouver doesn't have a vibrant food scene. The Asian food here is amazing

ipreferale

I am going there in August so I too appreciate this thread...

borgech

For an amazing burrito, head to El Farolito in The Mission. The restaurant is a hole in the wall and at times dirty, but if good Mexican is what your after, this is your place. Also, La Luna Market in Napa is an amazing Taqueria. They are in the back of a grocery store, and I would suggest grabbing some chips and salsa to eat and take with you. I was really impressed with both of these places.

robmcquarrie

The chef's table at Saison was the best meal we've had anywhere in world, although it's even more expensive than TFL. Also ate at Coi, Manresa, Benu, Zuni, Crenn, and Chez Pannise. All were great but Saison was a step above. I'd say we liked Coi second best.

christopher_12897

Just got back from SF.

State Bird was awesome.
They are booked but you can get there about 30-45 min ahead and get seated (they save space for walk ins)

Ive been going to Garcon!
little bistro/bar in the mission. Pretty cool.

Tartine Bakery is awesome.

Humphrey Slocumbe (ice cream)
Bi Rite (ice cream)

Four Barrel Coffee
Blue Bottle Coffee

Namu Gaji in the mission.
1601 Bar and Kitchen is awesome. Sri Lankan influenced.

Dotties is pretty good breakfast spot.

Schmidts is pretty cool German place on Folsom

Coi

Dont rule out OAKLAND by any means. Lot of cool stuff there.

Ramen Shop is a great example.

wierdly Smugglers Cove is a rad TIKI bar that looks like a set from the Goonies. Inside an old DMV building or something. Its pretty awesome.

also check out this site
http://www.chefsfeed.com/cities/3-san-francisco/dishes
You can have a pictoral guide to food as recommended by chefs.

mike.minasian

I have a buddy who lives in Oakland, who just went to Ramen shop and said it was amazing!

Dangka_40977

Restaurant Gary Danko. Go for the 5 course meal. You customize your courses. Delicious!

robert.c.brown15

Haven't been out there since I was 6 but if I were you I'd try to do Coi or TFL. You can't do Manresa unfortunately due to the fire. Ches Panisse and Zuni would probably be worth it too. Honestly, I fucking LOVE Thomas Keller, but given all of the circumstances I think I'd really enjoy Coi. Daniel Patterson is evolving everyday.

mike.minasian

It's obviously MUCH more casual, but if you can't swing TFL, Ad Hoc is an awesome casual substitute.

jason.r.whitworth

Saison was the best meal i have ever had, although arguably as pricy as TFL...

Ad hoc was delicious.

lfmichaud

@Jason Whitworth‌ and @Rob1234‌ are convincing me to try Season...

tshewman

Have only been to TFL and Ad Hoc (and Bouchon bakery-perils of sleeping right next door) and enjoyed both. TFL is not modernist as it were, but still wonderful food and service was impeccable. Visit TFL garden/grounds as it is quite impressive and everyone is helpful (even if you don't get into TFL). Enjoy!

mike.minasian

They do some tours of the gardens which are really good too at TFL!

lfmichaud

@Michael Minasian‌ Can you do the tour when you go for your meal or would it be better to go off hours?

mike.minasian

Great question. You'd have to call and ask. I went during a food festival where they happened to have tours throughout the day. He mentioned that they do them for guests as well (I was not lucky enough to actually enjoy a meal there). To make up for that fact though, we did the garden tour, went to Ad Hoc, and went to Addendum @ Ad Hoc (for their famous Fried Chicken at lunch), and Bouchon Bakery for breakfast. Yountville is an awesome little town about 25 minutes north of downtown Napa where all of this takes place.

tshewman

@Louis-Frederic - When we toured the garden, it was informal. I emailed them in advance and we gave them an idea and we were basically handed off from person to person (whoever was responsible for the area of he garden/microherbs/hens etc etc). Not everyone is guaranteed to be there all at once and we spent a bit of time just wandering through the garden and getting ideas for home (we have our own small garden here). So, we got a little dirty and dress shoes are obviously less than ideal. We visited the garden, then went to ad-hoc to chat about what we saw/liked/can do and then went on an afternoon wine tour. The only thing I would advise is not wearing dress shoes. :-) That may or may not influence the timing of your visit. Regardless, I am sure you will enjoy. Oh, and if you do the gluten free thing C4C is just down the street and Lena and Co are also very friendly!

lfmichaud

Thanks for the info. Once I get the reservation. I'll send them a mail to see what we can plan for the visit. I'm a little bit down now because I just realized that Coi and Saison are both closed on Sundays!!! I may have to change some of my projects...

lfmichaud

The French Laundry is closing for renovation from September 29th to 2015. Precise dates to be confirmed soon. I've been planning a trip to eat there for the last year. Now that I've tickets I'm landing a week too late.... :-(

Matthew_Snyder_68770

Oh no! When we went to Seattle we arrived to find Salumi was closed for the week...... but TFL is a bit more hefty.

mike.minasian

Luckily (or unlikely) I was mentally prepared for Salumi being closed as I happened to notice it on their website. Huge loss for that trip. Next time though!

lfmichaud

Does anybody got suggestions of great restaurants open on Sundays in SF?