IlanaW's Profile
Cheap Italian or Asian Under $25 pp with tip
Hi L. Perelman!
For cheap Italian familiy style in North Beach: 1) Sodini's Green Valley at 510 Green Street (just off Columbus). Remember, I said cheap, I didn't say "good." Usually, their food is alright, not stellar, but alright. Try Googling "Sodini Green Valley Menu" and you will see the price range on their menu items. 2) Scuie, Scuie at 124 Columbus features some of the best Neopolitan food you'll eat in the Bay Area and its sister restaurant on the other side of the street (Caffe Macaroni) has similar prices and the same food in your price range.
Cheap eats, Asian: (does that include Indian?) For cheap and good (try filling) either Chutney's or Shalimar on Jones St., between Geary and O'Farrell. Neighborhoods are okay. I recommend Chutney's for large parties, good sized portions, excellent food. And if you're still in the mood, try Amber on Yerba Buena Lane (between Market and Mission) just before you get to Fourth Street. Their food is in a category by itself, if you go for the Sunday brunch, ($19.95) that's your best bet. You will be transported, it is nirvana on a plate. Speaking of nirvana on a plate and cheap prices, I just discovered Metro Kathmandu at 311 Divisidero, San Francisco. Wonderful food and Ch-e-a-p prices! You'll wonder how they can price it so low! This is a real find! For cheap, but not necessarily good, Chinese, try the Magic Wok on 9th Street (corner of Mission);
Happy eating! iw
L'Auberge, Marinus, or Pacific's Edge? Help...
I was recently in Carmel, and while I will be shortly checking out Citronelle and hopefully L'Aurberge, a local French resident enthusiastically recommended Casanova as being consistently good and the spot locals go to dine. Worth a shot!
IlanaW
Le Croque-off
Hi RW!
You sound as if you have almost reached your goal of "Croque-ing out." May I suggest for your next "trail" "Hachis Parmentier."
(POTATO PUREE , SAUTEED GROUND BEEF AND CHEESE CASSEROLE). They do a nice one at Cafe Bastille (Belden Alley). Basically, it's like a French version of Shepherd's Pie, only with cheese on top (nicely browned and crispy, please). Like your "croques," it is a common and quintessential French dish and found in many places. I will be interested to hear your results. The envelope, please...
IlanaW
Gary Danko or Michael Mina?
Hi gmk1322: Miss both of them! Gary's sick, that's what his staff says and has been for quite a few years now. Does anybody know what's really going on there? I seem to remember when Jeremiah Tower was still here and I was walking around with him at a food expo at the Fairmont and Gary looked ill even then and that was at least 10 or 12 years ago. They are not allowing reviewers in either. What's the haps there? Honey, if you're going to spend your money, go somewhere where the food will be exquisite and worth your money. Try Spruce or Sociale on Sacramento. Spruce has excellent food, wonderful service and great atmosphere. For cheaper fare and good atmosphere, try L'Ardoise on 151 Noe (x Henry) or my new favorite, Cassis, it's run by two French brothers from the French Riviera. It's got style, its got class, great food, sex appeal and the bus stops right outside the door! For dinner & fun in one, but muy expensivo: Teatro Zinzanni! They've just started a new show! It's hysterical! If you're coming in from out of town, this just might be your best option! You'll have a blast! - IlanaW
Healthy Indian?
Hi Unk: No. 1 on your list, should be Amber in SF (Yerba Buena Lane). Fine dining style. No steam table food. Try the Sunday brunch ($19.95) for all-you-can-eat. They build the spice base for their dishes, it's not just "hit and miss." They grind the spices freshly every day and you can taste the difference. Prices are reasonable. The food is incredible, if you shut your eyes, you would swear you had eaten the real thing as it should be prepared in India. (Minus the decay, carcasses in the street, flies and unspeakable odors.) Your tummy will thank me. Send me the IOU! IlanaW
I bought a durian!
Louise! Please! Don't do it again, okay! I was brought up in South East Asia, the oppressive summer heat, the humidity soaking one's shirt almost as soon as one put it on, and the terrible dank odor of the durians, as they sat there stinking in the sun! It's called, "Rotting while you wait!" That is the elusive aroma you were trying to conjure up! Don't conjure, girlfriend! Leave it where it lies! That and kimchee. I know I will get letters now, but I can't help it. Why buy something that may further debase your property value?
IW
Road Trip for Middle Eastern/Persian/Afghan - where should we go?
DaveMP: Have you tried Amber? There is one in San Jose, Mountain View and the latest in San Francisco in the pedestrian walkway (Yerba Buena Lane) between Market and Mission, with the entrance being closest to Market & the corner of 4th Street). Your tastebuds are in for a treat. Go for the brunch (all-you-can-eat) on Sundays $19.95. No nasty things left on steam tables for hours. Beautiful fresh, beautifully spiced Indian food, with specialty vegetarian fare that you normally do not find elsewhere. The Korma curries are memorable, and you can taste things like apricot in the sauces which will educate your palate on how these dishes are supposed to taste. Most local Indian and Pakistani restaurants leave out ingredients like it was going out of style and think we won't notice the lack! Just imagine if you were serving omelets and left out the eggs! Next for taste, hearty portions and "bang for the buck" - try Chutneys on Jones near O'Farrell; Raja in the Haight and Indian Aroma on Polk. Punjab Kebab House is also good, their bread is from scratch, service is extremely slow, so unless you have no place to go... For the saag of your dreams - it's still either India Palace (Fillmore) or Shalimar.
Afghan food - Helmand; Persian food - best in Bay Area: Alborz on Van Ness. Taiwanese - Taiwan Restaurant at 445 Clement, SF. (I was brought up in South China and I can recommend that one).
IlanaW
Best Chinese in the city?
Right now, the finest fine dining in Chinese food in the city is Shanghai 1930 -- bar none. Allow the management to guide you in selecting some of their specialty dishes. Highly recommended is the Yangtze River Lite Fish Fry -- it is a taste of the dynasties! I was raised in South China and Hong Kong all my teenage years were spent there. If I never see another noodle, it will be too soon. I was completely impressed with this cooking. Try Crispy-Chewy Hunan Beef!! To die for! Also simple dishes like Garlic Noodles, Blistered Green Beans, Yung Chow Fried Rice -- all excellent. Go with a crowd of friends and give them 24 or 72 hours notice and order some of their signature dynasty plates that take that long to prepare and be amazed at the quality and quantity of the food. Prices for all these care taken are entirely reasonable. Get the Taittinger half-bottle (2.5 glasses) very reasonable and not too much booze if you're driving. Forget Tommy Toy's - go for Shanghai 1930 -- you may even spy a celebrity or two. Mick Jagger is said to hang out here and I personally saw a very high-profile French celebrity chef - whose name I won't mention, dining there and he comes there all the time they said. Top local food writers and foodies also dine there. That ought to tell you something! - IlanaW
