Bay Gelldawg's Profile
Tips for traveler with a sweet tooth in Chicago?
I'll be staying on the Gold Coast and would like to know if there is a bakery, chocolate shop, restaurant with unusually good and imaginative desserts, or other not to be missed sweet opportunity in that part of town.
Thanks.
Best view for dinner or cocktails in Chicago?
Do any of the skyscrapers have restaurants or bars on top?
I would also like a great place to watch the sunset while eating dinner or having a drink.
Thanks.
Dinner in Millbrae?
Thanks. It looks a bit pricy, but interesting. I'll report back if we end up eating there.
romantic dining on the North side of Chicago?
I appreciate the geography lesson and the local terms. Both of the restaurants fit what I am looking for and I will examine them further.
Much thanks!
romantic dining on the North side of Chicago?
I'm not familiar with Chicago at all. Will be visiting for two days and staying on the Magifiscent Mile (E. Ontario and Michigan Avenue). Can someone confirm that this is called the North Side? Should I be calling it something else?
Are there any romantic restaurants within walking distance? Ten blocks is not a problem. We will probably spend most if not all of the weekend in this part of town.
Most important is that the restaurant be quiet so we can talk without raising our voices. The quieter the better. Call me a grumpy old man, but nearly every restaurant I visit is too loud.
I know Charlie Trotter's is history, but I'll just use that as an example of a place I would probably not like. A three hour 15 course meal doesn't appeal to me. Other than that, I am open in terms of type of cuisine.
Thanks.
Dinner in Millbrae?
Can anyone recommend a restaurant for dinner in Millbrae?
Most important quality is quiet enough for a conversation.
A close second is killer desserts!
Favorite cuisine is Italian, French, Californian, or classic American. A cool diner would be fine, upscale fancy/expensive would also be fine if it is quiet.
Thanks so much.
Dinner near Marsh Theatre on Valencia?
The Marsh is on Valencia between 21st and 22nd Streets. I would appreciate any dinner suggestions within two blocks - the closer the better as my friend is recovering from knee surgery.
Range is way too loud for me, even on weeknights.
Has Rice Bowl Joint opened yet in the old KFC/Spork space?
I'm looking for something not too loud and would prefer not to eat Indian food. Also need to be able to get in and out within 90 minutes.
Thanks.
Planning a honeymoon in San Francisco and need some help...
Take a look at Alfred's. I have never eaten there, but it is not a chain and others have raved about their creamed spinach and appetizers. Harris Ranch on Van Ness might be another option.
Planning a honeymoon in San Francisco and need some help...
Crustacean is not a place for newlyweds and isn't in the best part of town and also would not be easy to get to from Union Square. Skip it. I would say go to Waterbar for dinner your first night and Gary Danko for the second night.
During the day, take a cab to Coit Tower and then walk down the Filbert steps. There are wild parrots and the steps are wooden and go past gardens and cute homes. It is an "only in San Francisco" experience. The parallel Greenwich steps are similar. When you get to the bottom, you can go to Il Fornio in Levi Plaza for coffee or lunch and then walk down to Market Street and back to Union Square (or take the subway for two rides).
The tower itself has murals of the history of California. If you can see the view from the parking lot, there isn't much point in going to the top of the tower itself.
For breakfast, Mama's on Washington Square is wonderful, but get there when they first open if you can. No offense to the other poster, but Sears is a tourist trap. Lori's diner is nothing special and I thought it closed or is closing.
Be sure to walk through the food shops in the Ferry Building some morning or afternoon. You could probably find a place to get great coffee and pastry for breakfast there, and it would be and easy and pleasant walk from your hotel. If you want to ride a cable car, ride the California line (get on at Market Street at Davis). The line is much much shorter than the one at the better known Powell & Market turnaround and it takes you to Nob Hill.
Planning a honeymoon in San Francisco and need some help...
If either of you like chocolate, you MUST go to the cafe in Union Square (it's the only one that is actually in the park) and experience bliss. If you order hot chocolate you just get regular hot chocolate, but if you order Venetian hot chocolate, you get the thickest best hot chocolate you have ever had. I don't drink it, I use a spoon! It is heaven.
I would recommend getting it without whipped cream because it is best experienced while it is hot and the whipped cream cools it down too quickly.
Planning a honeymoon in San Francisco and need some help...
It's Epic Roasthouse, not Roadhouse. It's an awkward name, but they wanted to emphasize that it is a meat restaurant, in contrast to the the next door restaurant Waterbar, which is seafood. People often mistakenly call that restaurant Waterfront, which is the name of a different restaurant on the Embarcadero, so be clear about the cross street if you are giving a cab driver the location or if you walk.
Waterbar has great views of the Bay Bridge and great interior views of giant fish tanks. The food is great, the service is great, and the cocktails are wonderful. If you like seafood, go.
You will not have trouble getting reservations. You will be here mid-week, in February, and we are still in an economic slump. Valentine's day itself is crazy, but just that one night.
Waterbar is the kind of place where it would be worth telling them that you are on your honeymoon when you make the reservation.
If we are having sunny weather, take a cab up to the top of Twin Peaks during the day, enjoy the view, and then walk down to Castro and Market and take the streetcar or subway back downtown (where I assume you are staying). If we have a clear night, it would be worth going back up there to see the view again at night (this time keeping the cab for a ride back).
I don't think Gary Danko has any windows, let alone a view, but the food and service are excellent. La Folie has windows on the street, but no view. I haven't been for a few years, but it was good and it continues to have a good reputation.
Cafe Jaqueline is often called the most romantic restaurant in San Francsico, but people have had very bad service experiences there - check yelp for the horror stories - and the menu is extremely limited.
I agree with others that a great meal with a view is not an easy combination in San Francisco. Top of the Mark is the classic view bar and you can take the cable car to get to the hotel (the Mark Hopkins), adding a bit to the romance. There is a great view from the bar at the top of the Marriott hotel at 55 4th Street. If you go at night, they keep the lights low so you can see out (rather than seeing your reflection). The dim lighting makes for a very romantic setting, with the lights of the city outside. It's a 360 view. The part that faces the Bay is where people hang out. If you go to the other side, you will have the city view and possibly the whole area to yourself. The bar on that side may not be open, so get your drinks on the busy side and carry them over to the secluded part and you should have a very romantic experience.
I hope you are staying in a hotel room with a view!
The House- San Francisco
The House is very loud. Like rock concert loud. Like you will not be able to have a conversation during dinner. Like your ears will still be ringing the next morning. Very loud.
If you don't mind loud, it is great food.
Dinner near de Young museum?
Thanks. I guess I should have been clearer. This will be on Friday night March 30, when the cafe at the de Young will be open again for dinner. But I don't know if dinner at the cafe is any good and I am concerned that they don't take reservations.
And as I said, I am looking for other options that we could comfortably walk to from the museum. Clement Street, 5th Avenue, and South of the park are a bit too far for that. I'm trying to avoid having to park twice. Perhaps it isn't possible, but I will explore the other suggestions. Thank you.
Great seafood restaurant in sf
Hayes Street Grill is nothing special.
Waterbar and Tadich Grill will give you two "only in San Francisco" experiences - one modern with a view of the Bay Bridge, the other old fashioned in the best possible sense of that term.
If you go to Tadich Grill, get there early and be willing to sit at the counter. Even if the restaurant is crowded at the entrance, walk to the back and you may find empty counter seats. For some reason I will never understand, people stand and wait for a long time for a table when there are counter seats immediately available. The food is the same and it is easier to talk to someone who is sitting right next to you.
Anchor Oyster Bar in the Castro is always good, but get there when they first open as they are packed every night.
For seafood for breakfast, the crab benedict at Mama's on Washington Square Park in North Beach is amazing, worth a special trip, and worth getting up early for. Hate to sound like a broken record, but (wait for it) get there when they first open for breakfast or don't go. Even on weekdays there can be a line. If your Dad is an early riser - or will be on East Coast time - take advantage of this.
Dinner near de Young museum?
Any experiences with dinner at the de Young museum cafe?
Any suggestions for other dinner options within walking distance of the museum? The only place I can think of is the restaurant in the basement of the Academy of Sciences. Has anyone eaten there?
I am only looking for places that are a short walk from the de Young museum, please.
Honey nougat/torrone - where to find?
Not sure if it is 100% honey, but they have this treat at A.G. Ferrari and it is from a small town in Italy. About as authentic as you are going to get. It is expensive. I bought some as a gift last month. I don't remember what it cost, but I do remember being shocked by the price (not uncommon in that store).
They have locations at 468 Castro, 3490 Californa (Laurel Village), 688 Mission at 3rd Street, and also in Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, and Corte Madera.
The people who work there seemed to be trained to "talk up" the products, so if you call I am sure they will be happy to tell you all about their torrone and its ingredients.
Years ago there was a very crunchy version of this treat at that store - individually wrapped pieces - that were covered in chocolate. I loved them but never saw that variety there again.
Where can I get a vegan cake in San Francisco?
A friend wants a vegan cake for his birthday. I'm not so sure this is a good idea, but it is his birthday, so can anyone recommend a bakery in San Francisco where I can get a vegan cake?
I would prefer a place East of Twin Peaks (Castro, Noe Valley, Mission, downtown, etc.).
Thank you.
Vegetarian Restaurants?
Thanks! That will be perfect for lunch. I knew there was at least one place I had forgotten about. Much appreciated.
Vegetarian Restaurants?
My sister is visiting from out of town. She is vegetarian (but not vegan). She does not eat seafood.
Can anyone recommend a good place for a vegetarian meal in San Francisc? We will not be going West of Twin Peaks, so this would be limited to the downtown area, Russian Hill, North Beach, Union Square, and thereabouts. I want to stay out of the Tenderloin and Civic Center areas. She eats a lot of Chinese food at home, so I would prefer other cuisines here.
It's OK if the restaurant has meat dishes, as long as it also has good vegetarian options.
I am already considering return trips to Greens (which she has been to several times), Millennium, and Fleur de Lys and I am aware of Source, Herbivore, and Cafe Gratitude. I just want to make sure I'm not missing any other good veggie option.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Why is Farina so crowded every night?
Musty Chiffon was the name of a performer who used to appear at Josie's Cabaret & Juice Joint in the Castro in the 90's.
Best dishes at Tadich Grill?
I've been to Tadich Grill many times over the years and will be going again soon.
I am always overwhelmed by their menu and end up ordering the same thing.
So - any tips on what they do best?
Thanks.
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Tadich Grill
240 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Where can I find fresh lychee in San Francisco?
I would love to try lychee. I have read that it is grown in Southern CA and Hawaii. Is there anywhere in SF to get it fresh (not dried or canned)?
When is it in season?
Where can I buy alphabet pasta?
Rainbow Grocery may have it in bulk. You could try calling them.
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Rainbow Grocery
1745 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Dinner recommendation near SF Art Institute?
I am looking for a place to have dinner within walking distance of the San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut Street (between Jones and Leavenworth).
Criteria: within a block of the Art Institute if possible, quiet, and able to get us in and out within an hour.
Thanks for any suggestions.
What ever happened to Blum's?
Many years ago, before the internet, I read in the Chronicle that Y. Sweet Shop in Japantown had the famous Coffee Crunch Cake. Being a transplant, I had no childhood memory of it, but wanting to experience a taste of old San Francisco I went there. They were out of it. I called the next week and reserved one, getting an entire cake just to taste one piece - I was single and lived alone.
I was disappointed. Without the nostalgia factor, it was just yellow cake with white frosting. Way too sweet, no real flavor. The coffee crunch was thin bits of hard coffee candy that coated the top (and maybe the sides) of the cake. It didn't add much. And the coffee candy stuck in my teeth, as these things do.
I agree with the other poster who noted that while this might have been special for kids at the time, it just doesn't have the same appeal to adults.
I am intrigued by the mention of Lemon Goddess Pie and the frog cake. What were they?
What ever happened to Blum's?
What was Lemon Goddess Pie?
What was the frog cake called?
They both sound wonderful!
Where can I find shelled pistachios?
It would seem like an easy thing to find, but since Morrow's Nut House closed (sigh) I don't know where to find shelled pistachios. I would like them roasted and salted.
I'm looking for a place in San Francsco, East of Twin Peaks, please.
What happened to the avocado dish at Yank Sing?
Went to Yank Sing this morning for the first time in years. Still a great experience. When I asked for the avocado dish, the server smiled and said that they did not have it.
She seemed to laugh a little, in a nice way, which made me think perhaps I had reminded her of something they stopped making a long time ago.
It was one of the dishes that made them famous for fusing dim sum with California Cuisine. Frequently featured in news stories, it seemed like their signature dish.
Does anyone know if/when/why they stopped making it?
I remember it as half an avocado filled with chicken and topped with cheese and then put under a broiler. I could be way off on the ingredients, so I guess part of this post is to ask for help remembering what this item was to begin with.
Where can I find Bananas Foster?
Do any restaurants in Los Angeles serve Bananas Foster for dessert?
Thanks.
Status of AU?
Thanks for the info folks. Odd to hear that they are open for breakfast. I made a special trip there this morning and at 8am they were not open and there was no sign of life. The window and door were covered with paper.
