juniper_joyce

Have you tried Yumma's out in the Sunset? I really like their schwarma. It's on Irving, b/w 8th and 9th. The nicest people ever, great food. Nice patio in the back where you can enjoy your lunch. Nice spicy sauce that they will add to your wraps. The only thing there that I don't care about is their falafel -- for that, I go to Sunset Deli (I think that's the name) out on Irving around 25th. I'll take Yumma's over Ali Baba's any day.

From San Francisco: Gourmet Carousel, Franklin at Pine. Decent, not outstanding, Chinese very close to my house. Spices II, Sixth (?) at Clement. Szechuan. I love this place - I don't have to do any convincing to get them to give me a lot of spice ... Absinthe, Hayes at Gough. Great brunch on Sunday -- took my out of town guests there, one of whom is vegetarian. We all had an outstanding meal with some killer bloody marys from what I think are the best bartenders in the city. I would highly recommend checking Absinthe out for brunch.

That's Hazel Dell -- they now have a booth inside too that is called Far West Fungi. That's Lee from Tierra. God, I love her peppers.

Bay Bread Boulangerie on Pine St at Fillmore. Excellent French pastries, bread and cookies Bay Bread is great, and there is a larger one where you can sit and read the paper, eat a pastry and watch the world go by. Boulangerie de Polk 2310 Polk Street (at Green) San Francisco Not a destination place, but if you are in the Sunset District I really like Art's Cafe. It's a counter restaurant that is pretty small and inexpensive. I enjoy their hashbrowns (though by no means am a good judge of the ultimate hashbrowns -- his seem to be very good to my taste), and often call in and order a english muffin sandwich with ham, cheese, and egg. Art's Cafe 747 Irving St. (at 9th) San Francisco (415) 665-7440 My ultimate SF favorite is Desiree Cafe in the Presidio. It's in the San Francisco Film Center building, and is just really spot-on with it's execution of local flavors. Though this place has a casual feel, there is nothing casual about the breakfast preparation there -- small menu with eggs dishes, granola, breakfast pastries. I actually just wrote a piece about this place in my blog (I am fairly new here, so if there is something improper about linking to my blog please let me know!). Desiree Cafe Desiree Cafe in the San Francisco Film Centre, Presidio 39 Mesa Street San Francisco (415) 561-2336 PLEASE NOTE: LIMITED HOURS - 8-4 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

I have had lunch at the Asian - you can pay the admission fee, tell them you are going to the restaurant, and as long as you return to the desk within an hour they will return your admission.

What about something on Chestnut Street? I was at Fort Mason this weekend and walked to Chesnut (10 min walk to the shops area). I am not *super* familiar with the area there, but I think Pluto's would fit your criteria, and I am sure there are other restaurants as well. If you have a car and it's a weekday, another option is Desiree in the Presidio ... excellent sandwiches, soups, salads, etc. They make a box lunch which would be perfect with kids -- grab a few box lunches and take em to Crissy Field. They are only open during the week though.