Fun places to eat in San Fransisco??

Hi all,

I have a group of people from my company going to SF the week of Sept. 12. Any ideas on fun places to eat that are easy to get to for people from out of town?

Thanks!
Alice

Right across the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito there is a place called Bridgeway Cafe that has great food and an even better view of San Francisco.

What do you mean fun? There are places with great food but mediocre ambience and places with interesting "formats" but mediocre food and a very, very few places with good food and "unusual" ambience. Also it depends on how large your group is. A lot of the places here with the best food are pretty small. A group of more than 6 or 8 would overwhelm them. Also, are you interested in very casual places (a taqueria, say, or an oyster bar) or just full sit-down dining?

By the way, San Francisco is 7 miles square but only about 1/4 of that, an area maybe 3-4 miles square is of interest to most out-of-towners. Both cabs and public transportation (busses, subway, trolleys, cable cars) are readily available so I wouldn't exclude anyplace in that part of town.

Anyway, if you can be more specific about what you want, I'll try to help.

The Tadich Grill comes immediately to mind -- a classic and easy to get to. But for group fun and great treats not likely experienced by most, try a dim sum parlor for brunch or lunch. (They typically close around 2pm.) There are several in Chinatown -- also contributing the overall SF experience -- and a pretty good one (sorry, name escapes me right now) near the Hyatt Embarcadero. Dim sum is fabulous for group eating and a real bargain once you divvy up the cost.

The whole group is 30 people, but they probably won't all go out together. Ages are from about 30's to mid 60's. We are just trying to make a list of interesting places to give them as alternatives to eating at the hotel. Our Hayward, CA people will be there to help give directions, but since most of them are new to the area, I don't know how much help they'll be.

I don't want to send them to any real dives, but a diner is perfectly acceptable. This will be for dinners/suppers since the days will be tied up in meetings.

Thanks again for the suggestions so far.
Alice

OK, so I'm going for basic decent food capable of handling a moderate sized group and near downtown:

Mexican: Don Ramon's

Italian: Cafe Macaroni or Cafe Della Stelle

Sushi: Ebisu

Breakfast: Pork Store Cafe (in the Haight--a little divey but not bad)

Outdoor dining (if the weather's good as it may be in Sept) with SF "atmosphere": Foreign Cinema

"Old San Francisco": Tadich (as someone already mentioned) or John's Grill

Seafood lunch: Hog Island Oyster Co. raw bar at the Ferry Building Marketplace

Thai: Racha Cafe or Manora's (neighborhoods a little dicey--no problem if you take a cab)

BBQ: Memphis Minnie's (smaller groups only)

"Only acceptable burger chain on Roadfood.com": In-N-Out at Fisherman's Wharf

Alternative local burger: Burger Joint

Indian: Maharani (again, neighborhood may seem dicey to non-natives--take a cab)

Dim Sum: Yank Sing

Tres upscale (Big Splurge!): Boulevard or Fifth Floor

Neighborhood French (not too expensive): Bistro Clovis or Absinthe

French Lunch: Cafe de la Presse

Touristy but good (or so I've heard): Boudin Cafe (Boudin is the sourdough bakery)

Every tourist has gotta do it (so why should I be a naysayer): Buena Vista Cafe

Irish Bar (and better source of Irish coffee than Buena Vista): The Irish Bank

I have not mentioned any Chinese places--for those see Gary Soup's answer to my question about where HE eats Chinese

The Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar in the Fairmont Hotel is my favorite fun place to dine with large groups in SF. It's located on the top of Nob Hill and is very unique.

Some may argue that the food is just "okay", but that's not why people go there. It's Polynesian-themed... water lagoon in the center of the restaurant with a floating live band. Tropical drinks and Pacific Rim cuisine. They have a wonderful happy hour. Definitely a place for all ages too. Check it out at http://www.fairmont.com and make reservations. I recommend the Mai Tai...

fun places- The Cliff House-ocean views;
http://www.cliffhouse.com/
and I agree with Layton on The Tonga Room- Indoor Rain Storms and a great happy hour buffet
http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/Hotels/Facilities/CDRestaurantDetail/0,2983,facility%25255Fcode%253DREST%252B%2526property%25255Fcd%253DSAF%2526property%25255Fseq%253D100117%2526facility%25255Fseq%253D1005290,00.html

We had a really delicious meal at the old Stinking Garlic Cafe; can't remember where it was. But the roasted garlic appetizer was delicious, good wine list, not terribly expensive, and fun all around.

quote:

Originally posted by Shirley U. Jest

We had a really delicious meal at the old Stinking Garlic Cafe; can't remember where it was. But the roasted garlic appetizer was delicious, good wine list, not terribly expensive, and fun all around.

You mean the Stinking Rose on Columbus (North Beach)?

Incidentally, I didn't post addresses for any of my recommendations. All these places are in the SF yellow pages. If you want to try one, you won't have any trouble finding it, especially if you get there by cab (the driver should know them all).

For fun and San Francisco feel, my favorite places inlcuded these:

Had some great tapas at "Cha Cha Cha" on Haight St. Great lively atmosphere;

"Chow" in the mission/castro area, good soups and wood oven pizza, and inexpensive.

"Jumpin's Java" for coffee and pastry (can get sandwiches too). Get a window seat for people watching. (Castro)

Lunch at the "Swan Oyster Depot". - moderate prices for seafood, and you don't have to go to the Wharf. (closes at 6pm)

and "Mo's Gourmet Burgers." Funky burger joint/diner/dive with fantastic burgers and milk shakes served in the classic metal containers. I think this place has been featured on the food network.

Hot N' Hunky has great cheeseburgers, fries, and malts. It's Tops serves wonderful home made breakfasts in a diner atmosphere. Tadich Grill is still one of our favorites, as well as Fog City Diner.

chicagostyledog


Hot N' Hunky has great cheeseburgers, fries, and malts. It's Tops serves wonderful home made breakfasts in a diner atmosphere. Tadich Grill is still one of our favorites, as well as Fog City Diner.

Most of the places I know are from the late 80's and early 90's
 
1) Fog City Diner should still be there
 
2) One of the better Hard Rocks is in San Francisco
 
There are a ton of good restuarnts on Columbus Street but most restaurants dont last that long.

elvis01

chicagostyledog


Hot N' Hunky has great cheeseburgers, fries, and malts. It's Tops serves wonderful home made breakfasts in a diner atmosphere. Tadich Grill is still one of our favorites, as well as Fog City Diner.

Most of the places I know are from the late 80's and early 90's
 
1) Fog City Diner should still be there
 
2) One of the better Hard Rocks is in San Francisco
 
There are a ton of good restuarnts on Columbus Street but most restaurants dont last that long.

You resurrected a five year old post to suggest restaurants you haven’t been to in 20 years?  And you did it as a first post, too.  Awesome.  You’re going to fit in just fine around here.

The Eagle Cafe at Pier 39 is a fun place.  The building was actually moved there.  Burgers etc.

DEFINITELY...this place at previously mentioned!
http://www.roadfood.com/r...verview.aspx?refid=365

C Turner Joy

elvis01

chicagostyledog


Hot N' Hunky has great cheeseburgers, fries, and malts. It's Tops serves wonderful home made breakfasts in a diner atmosphere. Tadich Grill is still one of our favorites, as well as Fog City Diner.

Most of the places I know are from the late 80's and early 90's

1) Fog City Diner should still be there

2) One of the better Hard Rocks is in San Francisco

There are a ton of good restuarnts on Columbus Street but most restaurants dont last that long.

You resurrected a five year old post to suggest restaurants you haven’t been to in 20 years?  And you did it as a first post, too.  Awesome.  You’re going to fit in just fine around here.

What a lovely way to welcome someone... geez. No wonder I never pop in here any more.

Elvis01, I suspect you goggled and got an old thread. But welcome to Roadfood regardless. Hope you are not put off by the lack of courtesy shown. If you go to the forums generally and browse from there you will find more recently active threads.

Cheers

I don't know of the Stinking Rose is still in business but it was one of my favorite places. If it is still open for sure give it a try. You will not regret it. They ave two, one in SF and one in Beverly Hills. Their http below followed by a couple of posts back in 2005....
 
 http://www.thestinkingrose.com/
Enjoy   oDey
 
 

Shirley U. Jest 'Junior Burger' Total Posts : 48 Joined: 7/31/2005 Location: Hollywood, FL Reply to message Message Options RE: Fun places to eat in San Fransisco?? - Wed, 08/31/05 11:20 PM ( #9 ) We had a really delicious meal at the old Stinking Garlic Cafe; can't remember where it was. But the roasted garlic appetizer was delicious, good wine list, not terribly expensive, and fun all around. Rate post Flag as SPAM Report Abuse #9 BT "Filet Mignon" Total Posts : 3343 Joined: 7/3/2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Reply to message Message Options RE: Fun places to eat in San Fransisco?? - Wed, 08/31/05 11:52 PM ( #10 ) quote: Originally posted by Shirley U. Jest We had a really delicious meal at the old Stinking Garlic Cafe; can't remember where it was. But the roasted garlic appetizer was delicious, good wine list, not terribly expensive, and fun all around. You mean the Stinking Rose on Columbus (North Beach)? Incidentally, I didn't post addresses for any of my recommendations. All these places are in the SF yellow pages. If you want to try one, you won't have any trouble finding it, especially if you get there by cab (the driver should know them all).

The Swan Oyster Depot wasw reviewed on here.
http://www.roadfood.com/reviews/overview.aspx?refid=365

It's one of my favorites for seafood in SF. Small place but worth the wait. Best to go after noon hour rush. The pictures will give you an idea of the size of the place.