OK, here are a couple of suggestions:

Helmand - Afghan food on Broadway in North Beach, very good, great lamb, quiet, mid-priced (figure $20-$30 pp)

Harbor Village - upscale Hong-Kong Chinese food in Embarcadero Center, around the same price as Helmand

Both would be easy to get into without a reservation.

Tadich's - old-timey SF seafood house, very good, Financial District, should be OK around 8 without a reservation but may have to wait.

Any of those appeal?