Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
This is an AMAZING breakfast spot -- they have delicious everything; I love their Annies Almond Flour Pancakes which was named after my favorite wait-staff-person, who has sadly moved along and become a successful guru of something-that-pays-much-better! The owner's name is Max and she's awesome. The Levaine bread is great with their home made preserves. Arrive before 8am to get quickly seated most days -- there are otherwise lines until 1pm but sometimes if its a work week day you can get in after 11am.
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Plow
1299 18th StThis is an AMAZING breakfast spot -- they have delicious everything; I love their Annies Almond Flour Pancakes which was named after my favorite wait-staff-person, who has sadly moved along and become a successful guru of something-that-pays-much-better! The owner's name is Max and she's awesome. The Levaine bread is great with their home made preserves. Arrive before 8am to get quickly seated most days -- there are otherwise lines until 1pm but sometimes if its a work week day you can get in after 11am.
This is a restaurant and bar. It is excellent food, and their weekend brunches are tops anywhere. They have a varied menu so I'd suggest 'try it all' and tell me what I should try after my work travels are over and I return to my little house that you're keeping for me!
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Serpentine
2495 3rd StThis is a restaurant and bar. It is excellent food, and their weekend brunches are tops anywhere. They have a varied menu so I'd suggest 'try it all' and tell me what I should try after my work travels are over and I return to my little house that you're keeping for me!
This is an unbelievably great spot for pancakes and omelets; actually, everything is excellent here for breakfast and lunch -- they do not do dinner. I like their house made oat flour pancakes and their Chicken/American Cheese/Green Onion and Tomato Omelet with a side of New Mexico Green Chile Sauce (they make it here and you could seriously eat it as a soup)... They have a sign up on the wall by the counter describing the original owner lady whose famous San Francisco mean-girl quote was: "Eat It, or Wear It"... I cannot imagine leaving anything on the plate though. It's A LITTLE bit budget friendly but ... no place is in the Bay Area...sadly.
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Just For You Cafe
732 22nd StThis is an unbelievably great spot for pancakes and omelets; actually, everything is excellent here for breakfast and lunch -- they do not do dinner. I like their house made oat flour pancakes and their Chicken/American Cheese/Green Onion and Tomato Omelet with a side of New Mexico Green Chile Sauce (they make it here and you could seriously eat it as a soup)... They have a sign up on the wall by the counter describing the original owner lady whose famous San Francisco mean-girl quote was: "Eat It, or Wear It"... I cannot imagine leaving anything on the plate though. It's A LITTLE bit budget friendly but ... no place is in the Bay Area...sadly.
If you're looking for a spot that's open quite late ... this place closes at 2:30am -- and they've got pretty great Mexican Food -- but bring cash -- they don't accept CCs. Also, its "somewhat" moderately priced, compared to most other places. Order the SuperBurrito or ... anything really... but the portions can be insane.
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Taquería El Farolito
2779 Mission StIf you're looking for a spot that's open quite late ... this place closes at 2:30am -- and they've got pretty great Mexican Food -- but bring cash -- they don't accept CCs. Also, its "somewhat" moderately priced, compared to most other places. Order the SuperBurrito or ... anything really... but the portions can be insane.
This is such a cool spot -- it's worth going for the atmosphere/decor. The prices aren't too wild either -- and the food is all generally great 'diner' style food. I love the Cinnamon-Apple-Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast... its already sweet so light on the syrup. They've got good pork chops, the steak is pretty decent for the price. Its OPEN 24 HOURS!!! and you'll snap pix since the decor is so retro.
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Orphan Andy's
3991 17th StThis is such a cool spot -- it's worth going for the atmosphere/decor. The prices aren't too wild either -- and the food is all generally great 'diner' style food. I love the Cinnamon-Apple-Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast... its already sweet so light on the syrup. They've got good pork chops, the steak is pretty decent for the price. Its OPEN 24 HOURS!!! and you'll snap pix since the decor is so retro.
Million Thai
385 Taylor StAmazing Thai. They Deliver through Caviar App but everything is better there.
GREAT Marsala options; nice Paneer options; the Paneer Stuffed Naan is great. Can't go wrong.
Urban Curry
523 BroadwayGREAT Marsala options; nice Paneer options; the Paneer Stuffed Naan is great. Can't go wrong.
This is a top U.S. Restaurant; I take all my first time San Francisco guests here and then hope they'll invite me next time since it's a little 'special occasions' pricey. BUT WORTH it. Get reservations a few weeks to a few months early -- or mention my name and you might get the last table of the night lol -- but probably not. The Salmon Medallion topped with Horshraddish Parmesan crust ... excellent; the Foi Gras ... excellent; the venison (I normally don't like venison) is non-gamey and excellent. Everything here is excellent. they serve 3 4 or 5 course meals or a tasting menu. I always demand the 5 course for all my guests or how does everybody get to sample everything???
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Gary Danko
800 North Point StThis is a top U.S. Restaurant; I take all my first time San Francisco guests here and then hope they'll invite me next time since it's a little 'special occasions' pricey. BUT WORTH it. Get reservations a few weeks to a few months early -- or mention my name and you might get the last table of the night lol -- but probably not. The Salmon Medallion topped with Horshraddish Parmesan crust ... excellent; the Foi Gras ... excellent; the venison (I normally don't like venison) is non-gamey and excellent. Everything here is excellent. they serve 3 4 or 5 course meals or a tasting menu. I always demand the 5 course for all my guests or how does everybody get to sample everything???
LOVE this place for omelets ... the Baby Spinach Omelet is quite good for every day brunch. The brioche toast is great but make sure you get the jam since they always forget. They have lots of excellent salads and thai specialties here.
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Blackwood
2150 Chestnut StLOVE this place for omelets ... the Baby Spinach Omelet is quite good for every day brunch. The brioche toast is great but make sure you get the jam since they always forget. They have lots of excellent salads and thai specialties here.
This is a very cool place with rising ceilings and if you get to sit in the patio area they have B&W movies projecting against one of the big walls which adds a sense of 1920s secret high end hangout club appeal. The seafood is great.
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Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission StThis is a very cool place with rising ceilings and if you get to sit in the patio area they have B&W movies projecting against one of the big walls which adds a sense of 1920s secret high end hangout club appeal. The seafood is great.
This French/American place has great burgers, french onion soup, seafood, PORK CHOP on Brussels Spouts -- (theres a reason I capped that...it's amazing) -- crepes, wine selection, desserts, and atmosphere -- open til 11pm so late in the neighborhood -- about 10 minutes walk up and down two steep roads (burns off the calories). A busy locals place.
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Chez maman east
1401 18th StThis French/American place has great burgers, french onion soup, seafood, PORK CHOP on Brussels Spouts -- (theres a reason I capped that...it's amazing) -- crepes, wine selection, desserts, and atmosphere -- open til 11pm so late in the neighborhood -- about 10 minutes walk up and down two steep roads (burns off the calories). A busy locals place.
Excellent FIlet Mignon, Lasagna, French Onion Soup, Pizza selection on the lighter side; an exceptional menu ... meet friends, guests here. The owner/chef is great ... they've won awards and nobody leaves not understanding why...
Castagna
2015 Chestnut StExcellent FIlet Mignon, Lasagna, French Onion Soup, Pizza selection on the lighter side; an exceptional menu ... meet friends, guests here. The owner/chef is great ... they've won awards and nobody leaves not understanding why...
ITALIAN... They make their own pasta, fresh each day; the sauces tend to always be very fresh with herbs; the desserts are great; they've got a really impressive full bar area; you can host giant parties here. I love the chicken cacciatori -- which is very hard to find across the U.S. in most Italian restaurants -- outside of NYC or Chicago.
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Original Joe's
601 Union StITALIAN... They make their own pasta, fresh each day; the sauces tend to always be very fresh with herbs; the desserts are great; they've got a really impressive full bar area; you can host giant parties here. I love the chicken cacciatori -- which is very hard to find across the U.S. in most Italian restaurants -- outside of NYC or Chicago.
This is a sportsbar but they do have a great steak and gnocchi's. Most things are great here. The drinks too. It's a fun atmosphere. You can do parties here. It overlooks the embarcadero and Ferry Building so a nice scene at night. I don't usually get excited for touristy spots but this one is pretty decent.
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Sens
4 Embarcadero CtrThis is a sportsbar but they do have a great steak and gnocchi's. Most things are great here. The drinks too. It's a fun atmosphere. You can do parties here. It overlooks the embarcadero and Ferry Building so a nice scene at night. I don't usually get excited for touristy spots but this one is pretty decent.
This is not along a beach -- but the food is amazing. The French Toast, Egg Benedicts, Almond Paste-Filled House Made Croissant...the Cherry Filled Croissant. The coffee is great. Often a long line so go early or during weekdays. Their coffee bar opens before their restaurant does so you can hang out.
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Mission Beach Cafe
This is not along a beach -- but the food is amazing. The French Toast, Egg Benedicts, Almond Paste-Filled House Made Croissant...the Cherry Filled Croissant. The coffee is great. Often a long line so go early or during weekdays. Their coffee bar opens before their restaurant does so you can hang out.
Super great coffee; try the Oatmeal Cookie flavor. 2 blocks walk down the street.
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Philz Coffee
3101 24th StSuper great coffee; try the Oatmeal Cookie flavor. 2 blocks walk down the street.
Decent coffee; great ice cream. Fun locals friendly atmosphere; 4 blocks walk. Open early and late.
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Farley's
1315 18th StDecent coffee; great ice cream. Fun locals friendly atmosphere; 4 blocks walk. Open early and late.
OH GEEZ you need to do the Secret Breakfast blend; take Bourbon, add Vanilla and Rice Crispies and several other randomly yummy things ... chill til smooth and creamy. This is a fun spot for crazy flavored stuff ... which changes each day.
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Humphry Slocombe
OH GEEZ you need to do the Secret Breakfast blend; take Bourbon, add Vanilla and Rice Crispies and several other randomly yummy things ... chill til smooth and creamy. This is a fun spot for crazy flavored stuff ... which changes each day.
So they have great drinks at the bar and very cool bar tenders; excellent food for Peruvian. Meats. Pickled vinegary things. Yummy. This is a super fun spot to finish out a long day around town and walk home from.
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Mochica
1469 18th StSo they have great drinks at the bar and very cool bar tenders; excellent food for Peruvian. Meats. Pickled vinegary things. Yummy. This is a super fun spot to finish out a long day around town and walk home from.
Try the Irish Coffee -- its served warm and has lots of nice loving booze in it, if you enjoy the embibe -- not overpowering, not quite enough cream on the top to qualify as 'authentic Dublin-style Irish Coffee' but respectable and the crowds are fun.
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Buena Vista
2765 Hyde StTry the Irish Coffee -- its served warm and has lots of nice loving booze in it, if you enjoy the embibe -- not overpowering, not quite enough cream on the top to qualify as 'authentic Dublin-style Irish Coffee' but respectable and the crowds are fun.
Drinks & Nightlife
So the food here is shockingly yum -- you've got the grunge bar scene -- the pool tables, super cool old bar decor, coolest cooks in the world, and they make the best horseraddish sauce burger you'll have ... I've had two in one sitting. MAYBE the beer but probably not...tho they do have a great IPA. Its a pretty big place ... a motorbiker bar ... but I'm hungry right now just thinking about their food and beer options. It's a good hang-out-meet-up spot for casual -- but don't go dressed nerdy since thats so uncool in a place like this (you can wear nerdy everywhere else in SF, as I do, and fit the profile).
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Bender's
806 South Van Ness AvenueSo the food here is shockingly yum -- you've got the grunge bar scene -- the pool tables, super cool old bar decor, coolest cooks in the world, and they make the best horseraddish sauce burger you'll have ... I've had two in one sitting. MAYBE the beer but probably not...tho they do have a great IPA. Its a pretty big place ... a motorbiker bar ... but I'm hungry right now just thinking about their food and beer options. It's a good hang-out-meet-up spot for casual -- but don't go dressed nerdy since thats so uncool in a place like this (you can wear nerdy everywhere else in SF, as I do, and fit the profile).
Entertainment & Activities
This is a fun street, filled with little shops and activities...start down close to the Marina and Palace of Fine Arts. Its a good photos spot. I'd recommend always ubering anywhere over to this side of town. Parking sucks. Uberpool is cheapest but takes twice as long since they make several stops as you're sharing the ride with others. Don't forget to put in # of travellers or you'll get squished.
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Chestnut Street
Chestnut StreetThis is a fun street, filled with little shops and activities...start down close to the Marina and Palace of Fine Arts. Its a good photos spot. I'd recommend always ubering anywhere over to this side of town. Parking sucks. Uberpool is cheapest but takes twice as long since they make several stops as you're sharing the ride with others. Don't forget to put in # of travellers or you'll get squished.
This is a lot of fun for kids (and bigger kids). Hours of cool experiments, sciency things, blinky lighted thing, engineering ... lots of it interactive.
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Exploratorium
Green StreetThis is a lot of fun for kids (and bigger kids). Hours of cool experiments, sciency things, blinky lighted thing, engineering ... lots of it interactive.
Essentials
Cheaper than Whole Foods... which is a bit outrageous here. But Whole foods is only 2 blocks down the street so -- a quick walk.
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Trader Joe's
555 9th StCheaper than Whole Foods... which is a bit outrageous here. But Whole foods is only 2 blocks down the street so -- a quick walk.
The coffee shop there has great burgers. Decent food bar.
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Whole Foods Market
450 Rhode Island StThe coffee shop there has great burgers. Decent food bar.
Parks & Nature
Larger than Central Park in Manhattan, this is a great place to wander, picnic, people watch, or enjoy the amazing museums.
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Taman Golden Gate
Larger than Central Park in Manhattan, this is a great place to wander, picnic, people watch, or enjoy the amazing museums.
Sutro Baths Ruins are amazing -- many visitors to San Francisco never get over to the far NorthWest side of San Francisco; this is the area where you'll want to have a camera, and dress for possible chilly breezes from the Pacific. Sutro Forest walkway also connects to Legion of Honor Museum. Also an amazing spot to snap pics ... as it's atop a hill overlooking most of San Francisco.
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Sutro Forest
Sutro Baths Ruins are amazing -- many visitors to San Francisco never get over to the far NorthWest side of San Francisco; this is the area where you'll want to have a camera, and dress for possible chilly breezes from the Pacific. Sutro Forest walkway also connects to Legion of Honor Museum. Also an amazing spot to snap pics ... as it's atop a hill overlooking most of San Francisco.
Great sightseeing ... nice spots to walk; Disney Store and Museum is here. You can walk up to the Golden Gate Bridge from Presidio.
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Presidio of San Francisco
Great sightseeing ... nice spots to walk; Disney Store and Museum is here. You can walk up to the Golden Gate Bridge from Presidio.
Huge Park and Beach area -- great sightseeing and photography sessions on this side of San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge -- where all the huge ships come under the Golden Gate. It's a wild and open area 'in the city' that doesn't usually get too crowded (except when big events).
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Crissy Field
Huge Park and Beach area -- great sightseeing and photography sessions on this side of San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge -- where all the huge ships come under the Golden Gate. It's a wild and open area 'in the city' that doesn't usually get too crowded (except when big events).
Sightseeing
Lots of outdoor scenes, iconic San Francisco architecture, great running areas, and close to Fort Mason and Crissy Field... and close to Palace of Fine Art -- which everyone has to see at least twice to appreciate... a giant Gothic dome one would only expect to see in Ancient Rome. Great spot to hang out and wander from.
Marina Boulevard
Marina BoulevardLots of outdoor scenes, iconic San Francisco architecture, great running areas, and close to Fort Mason and Crissy Field... and close to Palace of Fine Art -- which everyone has to see at least twice to appreciate... a giant Gothic dome one would only expect to see in Ancient Rome. Great spot to hang out and wander from.
Shopping
Fun spot to foray around for the bigger, and some higher end stores; Westfield Mall has a great Nordstrom and Bloomingdales is in the area. Saks, if you're in to that. Plus all the other stores -- like Gumps -- a fine gifts and holidays store that's been in business since the 1930s.
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Union Square
333 Post StFun spot to foray around for the bigger, and some higher end stores; Westfield Mall has a great Nordstrom and Bloomingdales is in the area. Saks, if you're in to that. Plus all the other stores -- like Gumps -- a fine gifts and holidays store that's been in business since the 1930s.
Your typical, relatively nice shopping mall; EASY TO PARK AT... lots of stores and some okay typical chain restaurants.
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Stonestown Galleria
3251 20th AveYour typical, relatively nice shopping mall; EASY TO PARK AT... lots of stores and some okay typical chain restaurants.