Going to San Francisco this weekend!

andreay82

I intro'd probably a month ago or so, DH and I just moved to Fresno for work in November and we now have a baby on the way! Do any of you have some restaurant recommendations for our first trip up to the Bay area this weekend? We are very open to most anything and don't particularly care for chains, so what's your favorite local food? We are staying at the Prescott hotel. Which is near Union Square from what I understand...TIA for your help!

rori11

I would definitely hit the Ferry Building - you can go during the farmer's market on Saturday - I love the energy there during that time.  I recommend of course Slanted Door there.

Also, weather permitting, Caltrans construction will close all westbound lanes of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, starting on Friday, February 17th at 8 pm. The eastbound lanes will remain open.  Not sure what route from Fresno you're taking, but keep this in mind. 

hannikan

rori11:

Also, weather permitting, Caltrans construction will close all westbound lanes of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, starting on Friday, February 17th at 8 pm. The eastbound lanes will remain open.  Not sure what route from Fresno you're taking, but keep this in mind. 

Yeah, that would affect your route from Fresno because you take 580 W to the city. That sucks. I guess you could reroute through San Jose and take 280 to SF. It will take you quite a bit longer but you might have to.

CarFar

Short or fast food and some small, more local "chains" there really aren't many chain restaurants in the city . How fancy do you want to go? There is so.much good food in the city! I think the ferry building would be a great idea ! More direction needed ! 

Rock-n-Voll

CarFar:

More direction needed ! 

I agree. So many great options in the city, you really need to give us more parameters. Price point? Type of food? Ambience? 

abvernon

Hey, you can always stop by my place and visit.

SF has such a variety of great foods. I guess it depends on what cuisine you want/crave.

oh and DEFINITELY stop by a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf store. They are better than any coffee place.

andreay82

CarFar:

Short or fast food and some small, more local "chains" there really aren't many chain restaurants in the city . How fancy do you want to go? There is so.much good food in the city! I think the ferry building would be a great idea ! More direction needed ! 

Sorry girls! I meant to check in last night. We eat pretty much anything and would probably like some nicer options for dinners. Like $30-40ish for entrees. We have foodie tendencies, we just like to try anything and everything and if you all weren't aware...Fresno isn't exactly a hotbed of culinary greatness.

andreay82

rori11:

I would definitely hit the Ferry Building - you can go during the farmer's market on Saturday - I love the energy there during that time.  I recommend of course Slanted Door there.

Also, weather permitting, Caltrans construction will close all westbound lanes of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, starting on Friday, February 17th at 8 pm. The eastbound lanes will remain open.  Not sure what route from Fresno you're taking, but keep this in mind. 

We will definitely go check out the ferry building, thank you for that rec! And we are aware of the bridge closing so we have already planned for that. Maybe we will just stop by Amy's for breakfast if we are going the long way:)

Rock-n-Voll

Others will have more suggestions as I haven't lived in S.F. for a while, but in that price range I like Roy's (Hawaiian fusion).  Gary Danko is also very nice, and I've always liked House of Prime Rib.

hannikan

andreay82:

Fresno isn't exactly a hotbed of culinary greatness.

Fresno actually has a lot of good ethnic food. It just depends on what you like. But that's a subject for another thread.

abvernon

hannikan:

andreay82:

Fresno isn't exactly a hotbed of culinary greatness.

Fresno actually has a lot of good ethnic food. It just depends on what you like. But that's a subject for another thread.

Passine is from Fresno and she may be able to help you out in this area.

hannikan

abvernon:

hannikan:

andreay82:

Fresno isn't exactly a hotbed of culinary greatness.

Fresno actually has a lot of good ethnic food. It just depends on what you like. But that's a subject for another thread.

Passanie is from Fresno and she may be able to help you out in this area.

Yeah, I am from there originally. That is why I mentioned it. We could both help her out with that.

sm23

Definitely the Ferry Building during the farmers market. There are food booths with actual meals you can buy for breakfast/lunch, as well as the normal stands for produce, cheese, etc. Inside, there are a lot of gourmet food shops (great coffee, chocolate, bakery, meat, etc.)

One of my absolute favorite restaurants in the city is Burma Superstar (or its sister restaurant B Star, easier to get a reservation). For a fancy meal, I like Fleur de Lys or Kokkari. If you are adventurous and want to try a great vegetarian place, try Millenium. I love brunch at Foreign Cinema, and Absinthe is pretty popular too. I've eaten at Out the Door (the faster/cheaper version of Slanted Door) and really liked what we ate, so I imagine Slanted Door is fantastic.

Lorita

Boulevard close to the Ferry Building is excellent.  My son in law is a chef, and we ate all over Nor Cal at all these foodie haunts and that was his favorite place we tried in Nor Cal...