paigebrown

Hi all, I'm heading to Peru in August, I'm interested in any updates/advice etc... on Lima. Other than that, I'll be checking out wildlife in the Amazon. Many thanks, paige

I love having cocktails in the city - my favorites are: Beretta - its close to my home but consistently great cocktail, really good food and fair prices. Heavens Dog/Slanted Door - Same owner, but Heavens Dog has more emphasis on cocktails and importantly is a lot easier to get a seat there than the insanely popular Slanted Door. Get Shanghai dumplings & a few cocktails and all is well.. Bar Agricole - great space, great cocktails. If you want to get a little deeper in the mission, there's a new place, the Royal Cuckoo that makes a lovely manhattan. The play records and its a good mix. I went a little further back in this thread and i'd also recommend Vesuvious/Specs in North Beach for a shot of Irish and a beer. Have fun!

Hey Patrick, I recommend Coi - its quite an experience. As for other places, I'd recommend a slightly different list than the rippa. I'd check out Nopalito (owned by the NOPA) folks. Its wonderful Mexican which I think would be a nice change of pace and a cuisine more difficult to get on your side of the pond. Also, I love Delfina, its very San Francisco, knowledgeable, hipster waitresses, fabulous bread from Tartine Bakery, and don't miss the white bean/calamari appetizer. Its also fun to explore the cocktail world of SF, you could hit Beretta for delightful cocktails and affordable and delicious dinner. Also, Slanted Door or Heavens Dog offers the killer cocktail/food combo. And.... don't miss BiRite Creamery. Try the Salted Caramel. Its across the street from Delfina.

Hi I live in SF AND was born and raised in Tampa, so thought I'd throw my 2cents in. I love Canteen (consider the veggie option) and I love Coi. I know other folks here don't but the meals are just so fun and inventive, its really the most exciting two meals I've had. It is *pricy* though and I get the wine pairing. You can eat in the bar and sample also so you can try some of his seasonal yet technical gastronomy. I recommend it. Agree with previous post - Aqua is in trouble. I'm not sure if this qualifies as budget busting, but I love Delfina. It has such a San Francisco vibe to me. How can noone mention Zuni? The institution. I do like Chez Panisse - haven't been downstairs in a long time though. If you're thinking about an East Bay jaunt, have a look at Camino. The cocktail was fabulous and the food was too. -Ame - read some reviews here and was thinking to do the sitting at the bar thing and order crudo -Canteen -Coi -Fleur de Lys -Koo sushi -Gary Danko -La Folie -Chez Panisse - requires a trip to Berkley and there's a lot of talk about it not being worth the hype, but so much history and influence that I feel almost shameful not going there -Michael Mina -Aqua

On "Dave's desserts" - I've gotta stick up for Tiffani. For one, I got really sick of hearing Dave say bitch - not many people are so free with the word without having used too freely. On another - she shouldn't have taken credit for the dessert, but again who's idea was the cocktails? Am I supposed to be wowed that drunken Dave memorized a Panna Cotta recipe? And his plates always looked like caca and they didn't this time. And, why care so much about Dave's desserts but not mention that the favorite dish harold brought out - meat 2 ways, was from Miguel. A fact Tom C mentioned early on but then was never mentioned.

I'm probably weighing in a little too late (and I've never dined in SF with kids) but my thoughts... 1. I want to third or 4th Cesar before Chez Panisse. Its perfect. 2. Love A 16, I like if for dinner though b/c I really enjoy the Sommelier and the wine list. 3. Delfina is wonderful, wonderful. The Mission is also a great neighborhood - check out Dave Eggers shop on Valencia, geered to kids and written up on this Sunday's New York Times. Or for BFast/dessert Tartine Bakery is great but insanely crowded. 4. Sorry everybody, I still love Zuni. Have a great time!