For the real SF experience, stay out of North Beach...look up these restaurants and pick one, I promise you won't be disappointed, these are true SF restaurants:
Blue Plate (Mission/Bernal)
Front Porch (same)
Universal Cafe (Mission/Potrero)
Nopa (Western Addition)
Poleng (Western Addition)
enjoy!!
I'm really hoping the weather improves for your visit - because it is cold and rainy and windy outside!
For Dim Sum, I recommend venturing a bit out of Chinatown and trying Lychee Garden in North Beach, or heading over to the Richmond and trying Yet Wah and Ton Kiang.
If it isn't raining too hard on Saturday, go to the Ferry Building for the farmer's market experience. There are wonderful things to sample! For breakfast, head out to the part of the market that is located behind the Ferry Building and walk to the end of the stalls on the far side of the market, toward the water. Go to Primavera for awesome locally-sourced, mostly organic Mexican fare. They have tamales with very interesting, seasonal fillings, freshly griddled tortillas, perfectly scrambled eggs with green chiles, chilaquiles (sometimes), fresh seafood tacos or tostadas, agua frescas - the menu changes each Saturday. I cannot recommend it enough.
And, I also recommend that you wait in the very long line for a brewed-one-cup-at-a-time cup of blue bottle coffee. It's all the rage in SF - very tasty, and fun to try. Their mobile kiosks are located in two places - to the side of the Ferry Building (you can't miss it - you'll see the line), but there's also one in front of the building (try that one! shhh...don't tell!).
Inside the building, there's a lovely bakery called Miette. If you're into cupcakes, I'd stop by and sample one - I think they're the best in the city (followed closely by Kara's Cupcakes in the Marina and also in Ghirardelli Square).
For dinner, here are a few fun places, where the food is very good and the service is friendly (but they won't break the bank): Nopa, Coco500, Maverick
And lastly, January is SF's annual 'Dine About Town' month, where participating restaurants offer special 3 course prix-fixe dinner menus for $31.95. You can find more info here:
Open Table
Sorry - this comment grew quite lengthy! Have a great trip.
In my humble opinion, Slanted Door is over priced and over rated. The Ferry Building is worth visiting and has some other restaurants, fine cheeses, chocolates ( Michael Rechiutti)sp??, etc. I had a wonderful meal at QUINCE in San Francisco and highly recommend. The chef formerly worked with Alice Waters at Chez Panisse.
San Francisco is one of my favorite eating cities. Here are my personal top choices:
Isa in the marina. small plates, lots of truffles, outstanding flavor!
Yuzu in the Marina. Tasty, inventive and fresh tasting sushi.
cheap eats:
Pacific catch ( in the marina as well) try the poke bowl. It's so big you can split it, also the sweet potato fries with dips.
Taiwan restaurant on Clement st. especially the dry-braised green beans and bok choy dumplings. I was so enamored of them I spent a lot of time trying to duplicate them at home.
Sample some tea at the tea shop on 7th and Clement. It's a great experience and you'll find teas you never imagined to so good. Then check out the used books at green apple books across the street on clement.
Cafe Claude off Sutter used to be good for bistro style French food if you're downtown.
For unusual Italian bakery goods try Emporio Rulli Gran Caffe on Chestnut in Cow Hollow
Best breakfast in SF is at Mama's on Washington Square in North beach.
The location of all these places can be found on google by entering the name + SF.
happy eating
I loved BOUDIN sandwiches, right on Fisherman's Wharf.
The smell of the bread being baked at night is intoxicating!!!!!! And the sourdough bread was amazing. The sandwiches were huge. I ate only half and took the other half and had it for breakfast the next day... mmmmmm.
I'm getting on a plane right NOW!!!!
when i lived in berkeley, i used to adore lalime's on gilman street in albany.
One more vote for the Ferry Building. I had a fantastic lunch there (and also a really fun time trying to decide which place to have lunch...)
I also enjoyed Bar Crudo near Union Square for some great seafood.
I agree with the recommendations for Pomelo and Tartine. Both are excellent.
I know German food wasn't on your list, but I love Suppenkuche on Hayes (I think 601 Hayes). Authentic German food, great sauerkraut.
Another nice place is Absinthe near the Opera House. The menu changes weekly and they always have great food. I've never been disappointed.
Oh, just as another note, I am starting to prefer the dim sum outside of SF - especially Zen Peninsula in Millbrae and Joy Luck in San Mateo. Cleaner, yummier, slightly cheaper, and great service! (Joy Luck also does wonderful seafood and I can't say enough good things about their service.) I do second the Ton Kiang recommendation, but have never been to Yank Sing. East Ocean in Emeryville is good and has a nice view of the ocean, but I haven't been there in years.
You will have fabulous meals in SF. My favorites from when I was there:
FERRY BUILDING, Farmer's Market
Swan Oyster Depot, oysters fresh fresh fresh
Burma Superstar, Burmese/Asian
Pizza Delfina (Mission)
Chez Panisse was amazing.
and I agree with everything ccbweb said.
I didn't have the greatest dim sum experience in Chinatown itself. THe two mentioned above are supposed to be great, though. Have a wonderful trip!
Can't tell from your post if you have been to the Ferry Building on a previous visit. If not, I second the idea of heading there, particularly on Saturday while the morning market is happening. Hog Island Co would be a great stop for a quick lunch, while looking out at the bay. If it's sunny, I also like the Marketbar patio on the opposite side of the building for the combination of food and people-watching (would not necessarily go strictly for the food).
I also second the idea of Chez Panisse if you haven't been before, but would be surprised if the restaurant had any openings at this point. On the other hand, the cafe upstairs might if you are willing to early or late, and I actually like it better.
For dim sum or pho recs, I'd suggest going to chowhound.com to the SF board, and searching recent reports for places that sound appealing to your taste/ style preferences.
Hope this helps and that you have a great and tasty trip!
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