San Francisco dining

[Darren Wheeler]

Given the multitude of dining experiences available in San Francisco, can anyone give a recommendation for the following categories?

Chinese

Japanese

Seafood

Not into fine dining, plus won't be carrying anything suitabe to wear.

[Nottingham Nick]

You mean that there is somewhere else in San Francisco that serves food, besides the Ghirardelli chocolate factory? [:I][}:)][:w]

Nick

[preiffer]

Japanese = Blowfish [y]

You can't miss the Cheescake Factory (not just cheesecakes) on the top floor of Macys on Union Square. If you manage to get a table on the balcony you will get a great view of the square.

Warning : Do not count the calories!!!

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
Given the multitude of dining experiences available in San Francisco, can anyone give a recommendation for the following categories?

Chinese

Japanese

Seafood

Not into fine dining, plus won't be carrying anything suitabe to wear.

Chinese -- House of Nanking...you might wait in a brief line, but once inside the best Chinese food in the city awaits...order the onion pancakes!!! 919 Kearny St

Japanese -- Ozumo, 165 Steuart St, across from the Ferry Building at the Embarcadero. Looks a little fancy but lunch is a casual affair...dinner is blue jeans and a shirt.

Seafood -- Anchor Oyster Bar & Seafood, 579 Castro St...a small, storefront of a place has some of the best seafood in the city. Completely neighborhood/casual.

Skip the chains if you can (Cheesecake Factory? Really????) and go for the local stuff...SF is one of -- if not THE -- best American cities for dining.

Enjoy Darren FletcherWheeler!!!

GJ

[HighFlyer]

Oooh, some nice options there GJ. Might have to investigate some of those myself [y]

Thanks,
Sarah

Chinese - Ton Kiang if you don't mind going out to the Richmond, otherwise Yank Sing in the Rincon Center. Both are very popular for Dim Sum. Not the tripe and Chicken Feet scene. If you want that, I can recommend other places.

Japanese - Sebo on 517 Hayes Street gets a lot of support from the Sushi originalists. Sakana might also be worth a try. If you fancy the boat trip to Sausalito from the Ferry Building, you could always go to Sushi Ran.

Seafood ... broad category. Bar Crudo is good, though focused on raw fish, so it's an alternative to Sushi in a way. If you like fresh oysters type stuff, then Hog Island in the Ferry Building is good, and easy for you to get to.

If you make it to Monterey and surroundings (you'd have to drive) try Phil's Fish Market. In North Beach, there's always the Old Port Lobster Shack. If you've done the New England thing, it's no novelty, but their Lobster Roll and Oyster PoBoys are great.

OK, that's my .02c

Seafood -- Anchor Oyster Bar & Seafood, 579 Castro St...a small, storefront of a place has some of the best seafood in the city. Completely neighborhood/casual.

Ah yes, GJ, completely agree, I second this place in the Castro, silly me to forget, jeez, live ten minutes away over the hill. And also in the Castro I'd try the Woodhouse Fish Company on Market Street. Both are great places. Some folks swear by Catch, also in the Castro, more of a restaurant-style place, rather than oyster bar deal. Never been there myself, but it's worth the mention.

OK, last one ... considering most places in SF don't qualify as fine dining (ie, you'll get in in shorts, shirt and a nice credit card), if you want more of a restaurant, and a view to boot, you could try Waterbar. Bit too pricey for my liking, but the location/view is just stunning, and with a credit card charging in pounds, it might not feel too outrageous. They have some really interesting dishes on offer. Armani suit definitely not required, from what I can tell.

Originally posted by MarkedMan
If you like fresh oysters type stuff, then Hog Island in the Ferry Building is good, and easy for you to get to.

And I second you my dear MarkedMan, regarding this establishment. Although we might both agree nothing beats a stop at Hog Island Oyster Company HQ in Marshall for the real deal. Always stop there coming and going to the Grove.

Cheers!

GJ

Originally posted by HighFlyer
Oooh, some nice options there GJ. Might have to investigate some of those myself [y]

Thanks,
Sarah

Your Grace [oo][oo][oo],

It would be my pleasure to host You and His Grace to any and all of these locations. Merely say the word and I shall jet down to be at Your service, ma'am.

GJ

[Darren Wheeler]

There are some rather intersting suggestions there. I can see me being spoilt for choice that and putting on pounds.

[RichardMannion]

Err, what about Lori's Diner? Some V-Flyers have been known to visit for breakfast.... [:p]

http://www.lorisdiner.com/

Always had a good meal at alfred's steakhouse.If you want to push the boat out Gary Danko(sorry missed the no fine dinning bit will leave it in for reference). For a quick bite (fish is very good) and a beer near Union square sit at the bar of the Daily Grill.Just remembered there is a fantastic Oyster/ fish place in the Ferry building.

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes

Originally posted by MarkedMan
If you like fresh oysters type stuff, then Hog Island in the Ferry Building is good, and easy for you to get to.

And I second you my dear MarkedMan, regarding this establishment. Although we might both agree nothing beats a stop at Hog Island Oyster Company HQ in Marshall for the real deal. Always stop there coming and going to the Grove.

Cheers!

GJ

Well ... and what would your talent be when entertaining GHW and Mr Kissinger??? [}:)]

Originally posted by MarkedMan

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes

Originally posted by MarkedMan
If you like fresh oysters type stuff, then Hog Island in the Ferry Building is good, and easy for you to get to.

And I second you my dear MarkedMan, regarding this establishment. Although we might both agree nothing beats a stop at Hog Island Oyster Company HQ in Marshall for the real deal. Always stop there coming and going to the Grove.

Cheers!

GJ

Well ... and what would your talent be when entertaining GHW and Mr Kissinger??? [}:)]

Vile. I wouldn't approach their camp. Bunch of poncey w*****s without a prostate between them.

GJ

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
Japanese -- Ozumo, 165 Steuart St, across from the Ferry Building at the Embarcadero. Looks a little fancy but lunch is a casual affair...dinner is blue jeans and a shirt.

Seafood -- Anchor Oyster Bar & Seafood, 579 Castro St...a small, storefront of a place has some of the best seafood in the city. Completely neighborhood/casual.

Echo both of these GJ recommendations - I love Ozumo, you do need to book in advance but if not you can usually get to the sushi bar where the full menu can be had but the chefs are so damned amazing you'll want to go with everything they chop and roll!

Also recently went here http://www.2223restaurant.com and it was very good, laid back and most tasty food as well as a good wine list.

Originally posted by slinky09

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
Japanese -- Ozumo, 165 Steuart St, across from the Ferry Building at the Embarcadero. Looks a little fancy but lunch is a casual affair...dinner is blue jeans and a shirt.

Seafood -- Anchor Oyster Bar & Seafood, 579 Castro St...a small, storefront of a place has some of the best seafood in the city. Completely neighborhood/casual.

Echo both of these GJ recommendations - I love Ozumo, you do need to book in advance but if not you can usually get to the sushi bar where the full menu can be had but the chefs are so damned amazing you'll want to go with everything they chop and roll!

Also recently went here http://www.2223restaurant.com and it was very good, laid back and most tasty food as well as a good wine list.

Couldn't agree more -- this place has always been known amongst my mates as 'the no name restaurant,' not to be confused with 'no name sushi' nearby LOL


As long as we're naming general restaurants, you have to know that Zuni further up Market from 2223 is the best restaurant in the city. If you are a bivalve whore as I am (more valves, more money...don't go there), or simply a fan of amazing food from the freshest ingredients, you must attend. Best oyster/clam/periwinkle/etc list in the city and a wood-fire roasted chicken (stuffed inside and under the crispy skin with garlic, butter, herbs and bread cubes) to die for (hmmm, Neil should definitely eat that chicken when he's in town).

GJ

[mcmbenjamin]

Also check out AOL CitysBest. Normally leads to some hidden finds.

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
As long as we're naming general restaurants, you have to know that Zuni further up Market from 2223 is the best restaurant in the city. If you are a bivalve whore as I am ...

you should hop on a plane to Louisiana, where there are spectacular oyster and booze happy hours to be had at 30 cents a bivalve. [:D]

Good stuff, too. You can recoup the cost of a flight by what you save on the oysters!

Failing that, Zuni is indeed a top choice if you happen to be stuck in SF, and want great food over elegant food. You'll get a fine food experience without so much of the 'fine dining' side of it, in an interesting spot. Very interesting layout for the room, especially the upstairs nooks and crannies on the west side of the building. Like GJ points out, good raw seafood list, and also so much more.

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
As long as we're naming general restaurants, you have to know that Zuni further up Market from 2223 is the best restaurant in the city. If you are a bivalve whore as I am (more valves, more money...don't go there), or simply a fan of amazing food from the freshest ingredients, you must attend. Best oyster/clam/periwinkle/etc list in the city and a wood-fire roasted chicken (stuffed inside and under the crispy skin with garlic, butter, herbs and bread cubes) to die for (hmmm, Neil should definitely eat that chicken when he's in town).

Of course, a good one and I ate there on my recent trip ... my SF friends said it had had an off period and we went by chance.

I'll admit also to having been in the glass coffin for drinks beforehand [:I].

Japanese - Cha-Ya in Mission

http://www.yelp.com/biz/cha-ya-vegetari ... ery:cha-ya

I'll second the recommendation for Ton Kiang, great dim sum if you can stand the hack up Geary.

I have a soft spot for Bacar for decent Northern California cuisine and a stunning wine list.

Cheers!
Mike

I really enjoyed Scoma's at the wharf for steak and seafood.

Ben

[Darren Wheeler]

So far I have tried 3 of the places suggested.

Last night was dinner at The Cheesecake Factory in Macy's. Had to have the cheesecake to go as no way could I eat that there.

Breakfast this morning was at Lori's Diner on Mason. Very good Eggs Benedict and no silliness when asking just for hot water for my teabag, free of charge!

Dinner this evening was at Ozumo (Thank you GJ [y]) Excellent food and more than happy to guide a Japanese cuisine virgin such as me through the menu. Just have the urge to go out and eat Spongebob Squarepants now. To top it all, on the way back to my hotel, I was mistaken for a member of the German nobility. One of San Francisco's more 'colourful' characters shouted to me in a heavy Irish accent 'Give me some money you Count!'. At least that's what I thought he said....

Tomorrow will be a bit more low key as off to the Giants game, so no doubt beer and foot-long's will be had.

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
Dinner this evening was at Ozumo (Thank you GJ [y])

The pleasure is entirely mine, Darren FletcherWheeler.

And, seeing as you have been granted a life peerage by no less a fount of honour than a San Francisco streetperson (America's finest streetpersons, I might add), it is my great privilege to address you from this day hence as Your Excellency FletcherWheeler.

Congratulations, you are now V-Flyer's third titled member.

GJ