Jump to content

  • Welcome to the eG Forums, a service of the eGullet Society for Culinary Arts & Letters. The Society is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the culinary arts. These advertising-free forums are provided free of charge through donations from Society members. Anyone may read the forums, but to post you must create a free account.

Wanted: View and/or quintessential SF dining exper

MargyB

By MargyB
in California: Dining

 Share

Recommended Posts

MargyB

MargyB

Posted
Posted

I need help! I have a good friend coming in from Canada and would like to take her to a restaurant in SF that has a very "SF" atmosphere. A place with a good view would be a bonus! I considered the Cliff House because of the history and views, but I wasn't very happy with the food when we went about a month ago. I'd prefer not to go to a super "fancy-schmancy" place, but excellent food is a must!

Seafood would be good...or?

Suggestions anyone?

thanks for your help,

Margy

Link to comment
Share on other sites
KatieLoeb

KatieLoeb

Posted
Posted

Can't vouch for the food, but a cocktail at Top of the Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel will avail you of the finest panoramic views of the city you could find anywhere. Live jazz, a 100 martini menu, an adult vibe, and if you go to watch the sunset, the city twinkling at your feet. It's spectacular.

Katie M. Loeb
Booze Muse, Spiritual Advisor

Author: Shake, Stir, Pour:Fresh Homegrown Cocktails

Cheers!
Bartendrix,Intoxicologist, Beverage Consultant, Philadelphia, PA
Captain Liberty of the Good Varietals, Aphrodite of Alcohol

Link to comment
Share on other sites
annachan

annachan

Posted
Posted

Many places with great views don't necessary serve great food, such as the Carnelian Room, Julius Castle, Slanted Door, Beach Chalet and the Cliff House.

One suggestion I have is to pick a restaurant with great food, regardless of the view, and then stop by a place like Top of the Mark or the View Lounge (Downtown Marriott) for a drink afterward for the nice views.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LPM

LPM

Posted
Posted
I need help! I have a good friend coming in from Canada and would like to take her to a restaurant in SF that has a very "SF" atmosphere. A place with a good view would be a bonus! I considered the Cliff House because of the history and views, but I wasn't very happy with the food when we went about a month ago. I'd prefer not to go to a super "fancy-schmancy" place, but excellent food is a must!

Seafood would be good...or?

Suggestions anyone?

thanks for your help,

Margy

Boulevard has great views of the Bay Bridge if you get one of the back tables, and the food is superb.

LPM - Nashville-Based Food Enthusiast

Personal Blog: Boston Dreams and Michelin Stars

lpm@wardandsmith.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JAZ

JAZ

Posted
Posted

If you started with a cocktail at the Top of the Mark in the Mark Hopkins hotel or the Starlight Room in the Sir Francis Drake (better cocktails at the latter, in my opinion) then you could take the cable car to Tadich Grill, which is definitely old San Francisco and has pretty good fish and seafood as well.

Janet A. Zimmerman, aka "JAZ"
Manager
jzimmerman@eGullet.org
eG Ethics signatory
Author, The Healthy Pressure Cooker Cookbook,  Instant Pot Obsession, and The Ultimate Instant Pot Cookbook for Two

Link to comment
Share on other sites
hzrt8w

hzrt8w

Posted
Posted

On San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, there are a few old Italian seafood restaurants. I think you can't have more "SF" experience than having Dungeness crab or clam chower in a sour dough on Fisherman's Wharf. View? Some just face the small marina. Some face the bay/Alcatrez.

I have a different view on getting a good view of San Francisco. My belief is that when you are already in San Francisco, you can't get a good overall view of San Francisco itself. You may want to consider dining at Sausalito. There are a couple of restaurants by the bay that have good view of the bay and San Francisco skyline. My favorite is "The Spinnaker". They really have a good location overlooking the bay. Food is good and price is reasonable. E.g.: US$18 for a Cioppinno (circa 2003). There is another one that is built right on top of water (can't recall the name), serving seafood.

You can combine that with a sight-see stop at the Golden Gate Bridge. The downside is a $5 toll.

W.K. Leung ("Ah Leung") aka "hzrt8w"
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jason Perlow

Jason Perlow

Posted
Posted
If you started with a cocktail at the Top of the Mark in the Mark Hopkins hotel or the Starlight Room in the Sir Francis Drake (better cocktails at the latter, in my opinion) then you could take the cable car to Tadich Grill, which is definitely old San Francisco and has pretty good fish and seafood as well.

Thats an excellent reccomendation.

Jason Perlow, Co-Founder eGullet Society for Culinary Arts & Letters

Foodies who Review South Florida (Facebook) | offthebroiler.com - Food Blog (archived) | View my food photos on Instagram

Twittter: @jperlow | Mastodon @jperlow@journa.host

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Carlsbad

Carlsbad

Posted
Posted

I third or fourth The Top of the Mark and the Carnelian Room for a view cocktail. There is a nice ground level view out the front windows of the Buena Vista, and if you want a semi-dive bar with a good view of the Bay Bridge, try Sinbad's- next to the Ferry Building. I also think Tadich is a good idea, and it is great to ride the cable car from The Top of the Mark down to Tadich. I would also add Jeanty at Jack's for a possible Old San Francisco dinner spot. The food is definitely French bistro now, but the building is still pure San Francisco.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MargyB

MargyB

Posted
  • Topic Starter
Posted

thanks so much to all of you for your excellent suggestions! I hadn't thought of getting a drink first at a place with a great view. I'll let you all know where we end up.

Margy

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...