28816 Tue Apr 13 19:15:19 -0700 2004 15 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 121010 so i'm visiting SF from los angeles wednesday thru sunday with two friends. i'd love to get some recs from past LA residents as to restaurants with anything special/specific/better/less expensive than LA. for reference, we're probably looking in the under $20/entree range [though more if really outstanding], and we're staying in the tenderloin [though we'll have access to a car]. for reference, some of our favorite restaurants in LA are:   Merkato - ethiopian Ambala Dhaba and Paru's - indian Juliano's Raw - raw! R-23 and Sushi Ike - sushi Mae Ploy - thai NBC Seafood and Mission 261 - dim sum Oasis, Xiomara, Angelini Osteria and White Lotus - fancy-ish Tahoe Galbi - korean   We all eat meat, drink booze, and like most everything. I'd particularly like a delicious crepe place, as that seems a bit hard to find in LA. Also, any recommendations on fantastic bars, particularly with a mixed gay and lesbian or indie rock crowd would be greatly appreciated.   thanks! Tue Apr 13 19:15:19 -0700 2004 0 Courtney P. 1 121024 Try Yank Sing for Dim Sum and Ino Sushi for sushi. Tue Apr 13 20:30:24 -0700 2004 121010 0 Paul H 2 121035 Thanks for recommendations - we'll check them out... went to Yank Sing's website - I has two locations. Would you suggest one location over another? CP Tue Apr 13 21:02:22 -0700 2004 121024 0 Courtney P. 3 121046 The one in Rincon Center is the mothership and the one to go to. Tue Apr 13 21:47:33 -0700 2004 121035 0 Paul H 3 121085 Neither. Head down to Hong Kong Flower Lounge in Millbrae for as good as, if not better dim sum for about a 1/3 the cost of Yank Sing. I haven't had a whole lot of dim sum in Los Angeles, but the best I had was Ocean Star in Monterey Park and I can say that HKFL blows it away. Do not miss the stuffed eggplant and the glutinous rice balls with black sesame paste. Wed Apr 14 12:20:07 -0700 2004 121035 0 nja 4 121087 I agree, HKFL is definitely a notch better than Ocean Star (and ambiance as well). Also, I think HKFL is better than 888 Seafood and Empress Pavillion. Yank Sing is similar to Mission 261 but I would definitely give the taste and quality to Yank Sing. Wed Apr 14 12:36:25 -0700 2004 121085 0 Mike Lee 1 121028 I moved from L.A. just over a year ago and here are my tips. Do not miss: Mission taquerias, I like La Taqueria Tandoorloin Indian restaurants, Shalimar gets my vote Cappuccino in North Beach XOX Truffles Hog Island oysters The Ferry Plaza farmer's market on Saturday (Get some Blue Bottle coffee) Rosamunde Sausage Grill Mitchell's Ice Cream Swan Oyster Depot Tartine Bakery (love the hot chocolate and the foie gras sandwich) Saigon Sandwich Definitely skip Thai food and sit-down Mexican restaurants. SF doesn't even come close to L.A. on those fronts, IMO. This is all on the SF tip sheet, which I can't find the link to. Can someone else help out with that? Tue Apr 13 20:41:41 -0700 2004 121010 0 anti-foodie 2 121033 oh yum - foie gras sammich is making me hungry already! thanx for tips... we'll definitely be checking out as many of these as we can squeeze in! Tue Apr 13 21:00:57 -0700 2004 121028 0 Courtney P. 2 121037 Here's the link. Link: http://204.200.197.68/writing/stan.html Tue Apr 13 21:04:21 -0700 2004 121028 0 Carl 2 121042 I haven't found a good place for Thai boat noodles in LA. My favorite is still at King of Thai Noodles on Clement. Mitchell's Ice Cream is too sugary for my tolerance, I prefer Bombay Creamery, for an Indian twist on ice cream, just half a block away from Ti Couz creperie on Valencia. Tartine is also nearby. For Asian flavors (esp. durian), go to Marco Polo on Taraval. XOX Truffles is not to be missed while you're in North Beach. LA's got the edge on Korean, don't even bother in SF. :) Kabuto sushi on Geary's pretty good, IMO. Better than the hugely popular Ebisu. For good fusion, I still like The Slanted Door. Cantonese roast duck is what I miss from SF. None of the Monterey Park places can compare against Cheung Hing on Noriega. Dim sum.. Ton Kiang on Geary, or Koi Palace in Daly City. Tue Apr 13 21:33:28 -0700 2004 121028 0 WBGuy 2 121197 i second the above recs. on the bar tip, i have three words for you. The Phone Booth, The Phone Booth, The Phone Booth. mixed crowd/indie rocker/alterna-bleep heaven. 25th and S. Van Ness. mondays are especially good. Thu Apr 15 13:31:03 -0700 2004 121028 0 shocker 1 121034 Crepes -- Go to Ti Couz at 16th and Mission, it fits all your requirements... Tue Apr 13 21:01:21 -0700 2004 121010 0 melanie 1 121050 How about cuisines well represented here but absent in SoCal? Burmese is an example. Burma Superstar, though the line went down the block last time I went by, is generally very good. Los Angeles also lacks anything like Tadich Grill or Sam's. Tue Apr 13 22:34:34 -0700 2004 121010 0 Poot 2 121069 Huh? How about Musso and Frank in Hollywood? I agree that Tadich has better food, but the ambiance of Musso and Frank is hard to beat ... -Arrigo Link: http://www.michaelconnelly.com/Photo_Gallery/Musso_and_Frank_s/musso_and_frank_s.html Wed Apr 14 01:57:31 -0700 2004 121050 0 dudesinmexico 2 121084 That reminds me... Angkor Borei for Cambodian. Chris G. from L.A.: "Unfortunately, I find that the Long Beach area Cambodian restaurants are nowhere near as good as the ones up north in the Bay Area" http://www.chowhound.com/california/boards/losangeles12/messages/60739.html Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/24036#92863 Wed Apr 14 12:16:18 -0700 2004 121050 0 nja 1 121064 I agree with Yank Sing for dim sum. As for other fun "sceney" places: Bambuddha Lounge for drinks or apps around the pool (like and L.A. bar) http://www.bambuddhalounge.com/ RNM for a good meal in a hip place (Conde Nast Hot List 2003) http://www.rnmrestaurant.com/ Hit the Mission for drinks after crepes at Ti Couz. Dalva, Beauty Bar, Laszlo(http://www.foreigncinema.com/laszlo/), Bruno's, Doc's Clock. Drinks around the Tenderloin area: -The Hemlock Tavern (indie rock galore) -The Clift Hotel (Ian Schrager- upscale) -Lush Lounge (great gay/straight w/martinis: 1092 Post St. across from Hemlock Tavern -Olive Bar & Rest. (gay/straight w/drinks+apps) 743 Larkin St. -Julip Cocktail Lounge (little more low key..Happy Hour!)839 Geary St. -suiteone8one if you want to dance until 4 and don't mind a cover (~$10) Wed Apr 14 00:39:58 -0700 2004 121010 0 kimchee