Michael El

+1 for Tadich especially since you like to sit at the bar.

My favorite SF restaurant is Rocco's Café, as seen on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.

mongobot

I'd recommend Sebo for sushi but they've lost their lease and will close at the end of the month. I'd suggest Kiss or Ino Sushi as an alternative.

For fine dining I'd recommend Keiko a Nob Hill as an alternative to Gary Danko. I noticed Woody Allen there during the filming of Blue Jasmine if that's worth anything They also have a separate and somewhat different bar menu if you prefer.

For duck confit or bistro style steak I second the recommendation for L'Ardoise - their pommes frites are worth mentioning as well.

rjque

I had no idea about Sebo - that's too bad!

Another recommendation for L'Ardoise here. My husband and I call it "mini-vacation" because it is so different from most SF experiences.

imm2b

Sushi at Koo on Irving. One of the best in the area run by Japanese owner.

Peking duck at RG in Chinatown is fine, but for a better experience, Koi Palace in Daly City is the best. Though, you'll need a car.

Thanh Long in the outer sunset is known for their crab and garlic noddle.

Pasta at Flour and Water if you can get a table.

StudentExplorer

A third for L'Ardoise.

If you don't mind taking a late reservation, Frances is also excellent (not too far from L'Ardoise).

For higher end dining/real splurge, I am very fond of Sons & Daughters.

gaobest

I second Sebo - after seeing the Jiro Dreams of Sushi documentary (about the sushi restaurant in Tokyo that has 2 or 3 Michelin stars, and is in a train station!), I've become super fussy about raw (traditional) sushi, and really ONLY eat it at Sebo. Or Sushi Ran in Sausalito

I live in San Francisco; for Indian I would only recommend Roti, which isn't in the middle of town. I'd go to Yang Sink for dim sum (including Peking Duck) for lunch. For steak I'd endorse Izzy's Steaks, Sam's Grill, or Alexander Steakhouse; but even Ruth's Chris Steak House chain is good.

My favorite "American" special restaurant is Wayfare Tavern, which is connected with Tyler Florence from the food network. Reservations are helpful but they have a bar. They are in the financial district of SF and their food is really excellent.

HTH
Michael

dergon darkhelm

Holy Cow! I take a couple weeks away and this thread has bloomed upon my return. Thanks you so much. I'll be looking through it all... but there is for sure enough here to get it all done.

This is why I love FT! Thanks!

squeakr

dergon darkhelm

OK- So after consultation with Mrs_dergon ....

* Koi Palace (on the night we go out with friends who have a car in SF)
* Sushi Ran with the ferry to Sausalito (that was on my potential toursit options anyway)
* L'Ardoise


and a wild card TBD (plus there's always lunches for some the more casual places too )

Anyhow .... thanks again a lot. You all really helped focus my search!

dergon darkhelm

First meal today - Hog Island Oyster for lunch at the Ferry Terminal.

It was packed, every restaurant, every stand. We waited in line for 45 minutes but then had a great meal at the bar. The oysters were fresh and the chowder bowl ...thinner, more buttery, shells on an ample number of little necks and halved huge chunks of potato... was one of the best I've ever had.

whackyjacky

You mentioned oysters and I'm a bit surprised that nobody has mentioned Swan's. Polk & California. 8-5 (or so). It doesn't get any better. As far as Tadich goes, we had a flue fire 8 years ago and were closed for 6 months. Our sous chef worked at Tadich during that time and he said ALL the fish was frozen. Great atmosphere though. I prefer Sam's Grill for an old-timey SF seafood house. The food's better.

mstraveler

Either late or 15 minutes before they open and grab one of the 9 bar seats. Fabulous place although not probably for you. Mostly wine.

rjque

Made it to Sons & Daughters again on Friday night and it was just as good as it has ever been. It's definitely a splurge place (it's tasting menu only), and one of the better splurge places in town.

Eastbay1K

Have you ever been to Sweet Woodruff? Same people behind S&D, and an inexpensive delicious uber-causal bite right nearby.

dergon darkhelm

Well..... "the best laid plans" and all that.

It's been a great few days, but we haven't done any of the dining I had planned.

On Sunday our friend surprised us and we went sailing on the Bay. We were out all day, had lunch at a little shack on Angel Island, and didn't make it back into dockin Sausalito until after dark. It was blowing 30 knots and it was some real fun on our little 32 foot Hunter..... it was 9pm by the time we got back into the CityI was spent and didn't even go out to dinner after.

Then yesterday Mrs_Dergon scheduled a full day tour to Monterey to see the aquarium etc. By the time we got home at day's end we just had enough energy to walk to a little place nearby -- Called Fly -- the little pizzas were good -- but no big night.

So we're down to just tonight before we fly out tomorrow. I have firm reservations at L'Ardoise.

Sorry to have you all squander your efforts on my behalf. But I really do appreciate it all!