Thread: San Fran & Napa food help?

Car guy in need of food help

I am heading to San Francisco for two weeks of relaxing and I need some good restaurant and cafe suggestions. I will be staying on 47th Ave in Seacliff/Richmond.

It is easy to find the really great high end places but I am hoping to find some local hot spots where the food is good, the prices mid-range and the atmosphere is fun and laid back. A good wine list would be a bouns! Need a killer coffee shop for my morning fix too!

Same goes for Napa.

Can any locals offfer some suggestions?

Thanks

ok, here are some ideas, but you do know you're staying out at the edge of civilization? cab rides will cost you a small fortune.

coffee
- blue bottle is generally acknowledged as the best coffee - get the crazy coffee out of the $20,000 coffee machine (it's about $7/cup); also plan to wait 30 mins or so for that coffee. it's worth trying once - super smooth - too smooth for me.

pizza
- pizzetta 211 - a very small cafe (5 tables and 3 bar seats) that serves the best pizza in the city. very very thin crust.

- gialina - my 2nd favorite pizza in the city, the toppings are great

indian
- shalimar - it's dirty, it's a hole in the wall, and they're not afraid of the spices.

italian
- there are a lot of places, this is what SF excels at, look into Delfina, A16, and Incanto - each has their specialties

napa
- ubuntu - it's vegetarian but *don't* let that dissuade you - this is one of the top 5 restaurants in the area right now, and it's pretty cheap to boot. blog post: ChuckEats blog Ubuntu (Napa, CA) - Vegetables not Vegetarian

- meadowood - it's under the radar in terms of high-end places but it's very very good. here's my blog post: ChuckEats blog The Restaurant at Meadowood (St Helena, CA) - Alter and Refine

sushi
- sushi generally sucks a big one in SF, but if you must have it, Ino Sushi is the best (traditional), followed by Sebo (trendier). Bar Crudo is also interesting if you find yuorself in the union square area.


that's a start - i'm probably missing some others.

- chuck

For Napa, Go to Rutherford Bar & Grill, Best Ribs and Huge wine list. You wont regret it.

-E

Originally Posted by Eternal-E

For Napa, Go to Rutherford Bar & Grill, Best Ribs and Huge wine list. You wont regret it.

-E

Agreed. Their ribs & mashed potatos are awesome and they have a great wine list.

I've heard Manresa and French Laundry are both good. Drop in one of those places for a quick bite.

Originally Posted by MexicoBlue

I've heard Manresa and French Laundry are both good. Drop in one of those places for a quick bite.

No doubt they are good but I don't think they are simple spots to just stop in at.

Originally Posted by carendt242

ok, here are some ideas, but you do know you're staying out at the edge of civilization? cab rides will cost you a small fortune.


- chuck

Wow, kick ass list! Thanks for going to all that effort and I will for sure check out some of your places!

Too bad I am staying so far away from the good stuff. Rental car time!

Does anyone know of a good spot in the 'hood where I am staying? Is it lame suburbia?

you can get a Manresa reservation if you book it now. i didn't include it on the list b/c you said you wanted 'more local' spots. i would absolutely recommend it for a meal (i think it's the best restaurant in the country.)

another thing: goto the Ferry Building and eat at Hog Island Oyster one day for lunch (assuming you like oysters.)

the only thing out where you're staying is the ocean. and a pack of 2-3 coyotes that make their way from there to half moon bay daily.

- chuck

personal favorites:

Greens SF (fort Mason)
a hard to find but very yummy Vegetarian restaurant!

or

Gary Danko is nice (tough to get in, but delightful)
Welcome to Restaurant Gary Danko

French Laundry,Mustards,French Laundry,and....French Laundry!