This is about as close as you can come to a perfect SF taqueria list. I'd add la coronetta as a very good, asterisk cancun based on location (market is nasty, mission is solid), and note that Sisig is a lot of people's favorite burrito on earth (it's close to la taq for me, but nothing's taking that title).

el d,

what's that great super traditional omakase joint we went to?
feel like it had a very short one word name (was named after the chef iirc).

Rbk,

Ino. Alas, Ino-san retired a couple years ago.

bummer

Planning a trip to Napa in early November, what are my chances and best methods of getting a reservation at French Laundry? I have no connections or access to a concierge service.

If its completely impossible to make happen, what are my best, achievable options for a high end dining experience?

Check out http://www.hackertable.com

DW,

They've changed their reservation procedures a bit recently, so I'm not sure of the latest tips (you can prob find them someplace like chowhound), but in the past I've had success two ways:

1) call in the morning and check opentable right when the reservation lines open and cross your fingers.

2) if that doesn't work, check every night after that for cancellations on the days you're interested in. Any cancellations used to pop up on open table at the same time every night (like 10p or midnight iirc).

Meadowood is the other wine country 3-star Michelin, and reservations are much easier. Big debate amongst foodie types out here about which of the two is better; lots of people say Meadowood. http://www.therestaurantatmeadowood.com

Went to Ichido (feastly popup ichidosf.com) last night and had a really good time. Stopped taking pictures half way through. Food was excellent and affordable given the community meal format. Would skip the pairings which were nothing special imo and BYOW

Any of you SF locals go to In Situ yet?

So Dreamforce is over - things may be bookable again...

Amoeba,

Soon! They weren't open for dinner until recently, then as snipe mentioned, had to avoid eating in the area due to oracle and salesforce mega-conferences.

Word from a couple friends is that the current dishes are very meat heavy and pretty great, but also pretty pricey and you'll want more than two items per person to be full. But I guess you shouldn't expect greatest hits from Michelin starred restaurants around the world to be cheap.

El D and others,

Has anyone been to jardiniere? thoughts?

Jl,

I've been a few times, but not for a number of years. It's very classic "California cuisine." Local, organic, modern American, blah blah.

I think of it like boulevard. You're prob not going to be disappointed by a meal there, but it also prob won't stand out in any memorable way.

Good choice if you're going to the theater or something else around there.

Thanks for the feedback. I know exactly what you mean since my meal at boulevard was well executed but entirely forgettable.

Semi-OT question. Current lease expires November 30, and I'm in a place that allows 3 months renewals. Not a "nice" place, but it's a great location and I'm used to it and like the people I live with. I will have to move out by May at the latest and originally planned to remain here until then.

Next place would be in the same area, Soma or possibly Union Square. I would pay $500-$1200 more for my next place (according to Craigslist) because I don't want to live with people anymore and I want a nice place - where I am is fine now just because I'm here and happy, but I'm not moving in with new people in a crappy place.

The question is purely fiscal, without getting into other factors. Is finding a place in SF in November possibly going to be so much easier and cheaper that it would balance out the $1500-$7000 (3-6 months at $500-$1000 less) I'd save by sticking it out in my current cheaper place for 3-6 more months? I'd otherwise be looking in February-May.

SF peeps,

The wife and I are going for a quick 4-day trip to SF in early January. We will be staying in the Marina area (couple of blocks away from Chestnut and Fillmore), which is a part of town I'm not too familiar with. Looking for some recommendations around the area on the following:

Sushi
Sunday brunch
A must try restaurant that doesn't require reservations way in advance -- looking at you Statebird
Bar with good beer selection (specially IPAs/sours)
Whisky bar

Thanks in advance!

ET,

Uberx is so cheap nowadays that it's super easy to go anywhere in the city.

I don't know that area too well, but...

People love zushi puzzle and ace wasabi for sushi. Ace is more of a "fun" vibe sushi. I've been to both and both are solid places. Tons of well-rated sushi places that I don't know about over there. Rich white people ****ing love sushi!

You know what else rich white people love? Brunch! Great part of town for brunch. Search Yelp and you'll find a ton of brunch places around there on chestnut, union, Fillmore etc.

What kind of restaurant and price point?

I'm not very familiar with the current bar scene over there.

Diablo,

Thank you for the recommendations, as usual.

Seems like Sushi and brunch would be good to do around that area and we can move around town for whisky/beer places. We've been to Nihon, Mikkeler, and Rickhouse and the wife loved all of those. Any other places with the same vibe you would recommend?

As for restaurant, I'm thinking steakhouse or French, maybe up to $300 dinner for two (with drinks).

One last question, do you know if there are any new good Peruvian restaurants outside of La Mar/Limon/Fresca?

I live in the Marina and its not really great for beer spots. I did try Sessions at the Presidio for the first time recently and it was very good for beer (though I didn't eat)

I think for IPA and Sours its going to be hard to beat Mikkeller.

Another option would be a split between Cellarmaker and City Beer Store, they are one block apart and both always have great tap lists. City Beer also has the plus of being a bottle shop and you can open bottles there for a small corkage fee.

ET,

Goofy from the beer thread and numerous friends of mine here rave about Liquid Gold beer bar. Their taps usually look awesome.

Mikkeler is amazing for sours, often underwhelming for IPAs. But you'll have plenty of opportunity for IPAs in SF.

Comstock is a cocktail place I really like if you want to check out the Chinatown/north beach area. But SF is just jam packed with craft cocktail places now, and most decent restaurants have solid cocktail programs now. A casual place with good food and good cocktails to check out in the marina is delarosa.

Tons of steakhouse and French options, but if I were to recommend a ~$300 for 2 dinner in SF it would prob be Commonwealth ($80 tasting + $50 pairing). Really more like $350 after tax+tip. But also tons of excellent options for great dinners well under $300 for 2. Post again closer to your date when you have some plans and I can give a couple recs.

Dunno re: new Peruvian.

Diablo,

Just saw goofy's post and it looks like liquid gold is not too far off from my location, I'll probably check it out.

I may end up skipping the fancy restaurant and instead go somewhere I've already been to and liked.

Not Mitch,

Session looks like a good spot to stop after a visit to the presidio, I think we'll do that if the weather is nice.

ET,

There used to be a great casual neighborhood steak place there, izzy's.

I haven't been in years, still a good place to go Mitch?

El D,

Ive only been to Izzy's once and I think it was good but not particularly memorable.

El T,

I will 3rd Liquid Gold for a beer spot, very solid spot seems to be less likely to be crowded which can be an issue at other places.

Was walking down Geary, east of the avenues and a guy is walking with a small child and a rod and reel rigged up and ready to go?! Where are they headed to/coming back from???

Izzy's has gone downhill. I would not recommend it anymore although I used to love it. Osso on Nob Hill is great for steak. I will 4th Liquid Gold also.


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