31641 Wed Sep 22 13:37:15 -0700 2004 6 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 138809 I'm taking my SO for a birthday lunch (he only gets an hour) and I need something in the vacinity of the Adobe building on Park Ave. Can anyone suggest something yummy, somewhat fast, and not too pricey? Or just something GOOD in the downtown area. Thanks a million! Wed Sep 22 13:37:15 -0700 2004 0 rilkeanheart 1 138847 If time and proximity are very important then you should go to La Pastaia at Hotel DeAnza. It's an attractive Italian place and you can get decent pizzas or pasta dishes for less than $15. If that's too pricey for your budget, try Chachos (Mexican) on Almaden Ave. I haven't been there recently but the last time I was there, I had the pozole (spicy pork stew) and it was quite good. It's definitly not an upscale place but it's not divey either. If you're in an adventurous mood, try White Lotus on Market St. It's a decent Vietnamese vegetarian (only) place that has lots of interesting choices (fake meats and the likes). I like their stuffed tofu and the caramelized eggplant claypot dish. Wed Sep 22 17:17:39 -0700 2004 138809 0 Alia 1 138848 Not too pricey stumps me. I would have suggested eating at Il Fornaio across the street inside the St Claire Hyatt. Or, Paolo's, off Woz Way, a couple of blocks away. They probably wouldn't meet the somewhat fast requirement either. Google up San Pedro Square, check the restaurants there. Both the Tied House and Peggy Sue's are somewhat fast, and not too pricey. Tied House is a brew pub, Peggy Sue's is a grill (burgers). In between Peggy Sues and Paolo's in demographic is Bella Mia. I used to eat at the Saratoga "branch". They are in the Barry Swenson Building, across the street from the big church (St Josephs ?), also across the street from Wells Fargo. Wed Sep 22 17:25:37 -0700 2004 138809 0 Alan408 2 138849 Gonna be catty here: 1. Tied House, in my experience, has always been bad. 2. Bella Mia is the place that's infamous for peddling pork as veal to unsuspecting diners. Meat-chicanery aside, it's still a totally underwhelming place. I'll second the previous suggestion of La Pastaia as the best nice place where you could get in and out with some relative quickness. Chacho's ain't bad either. You could also go for a good burger at either Blake's or A.P. Stump's. And a friend who worked in that vicinity used to always rave bonkers about the prime-rib sandwich at the Fairmont's Grill. Wed Sep 22 17:51:29 -0700 2004 138848 0 Chester 3 138855 I don't disagree with you. One of my worst lunches in a restaurant, terrible lamb, was at the Mt View Tied House. Downtown has been better. I met a couple of the owners and the President at a 49ers game. Tailgated with them for ~5-6 years, but I haven't been to a 9ers game since ~'98, they used to eat my food, I used to drink their ale. After a couple of hours of ale in the morning, I would discuss food costs and chef's salaries with the president. I haven't eaten at the downtown Bella Mia, I used to eat at the Saratoga Bella Mia (same ownership) on Sundays when they had jazz on the porch. I think I will hold off on recommendations, my recommendations for mid-priced food is not chowhound worthy, and my tastes for "expensive" food is dated. For Mexican, I like El Charros, I bet Swanson's Mexican dinners are better than El Charros. Wed Sep 22 18:24:24 -0700 2004 138849 0 Alan408 1 138868 I don't think you should go to the Tied House, except for as a drinks after work kind of place, the food is not very good. The last couple of times I've been there, the food tastes stale. Unless you're into the 50's kitschy stuff, don't go to Peggy Sue's. Their burgers are kind of greasy. Getting to Bella Mia will be at least a 10-min walk from Adobe and the food is avg. at best. If you don't mind the walk, then instead of Bella Mia, go to Hawg's Seafood, right next to SJ Rep building. The seafood is really fresh and the price is pretty decent for such quality. I stand by my original rec of La Pastaia. Or, pick up your SO outside of Adobe and drive him to Seven on The Alameda (2 blocks from HP Pavillion). It's a hip, industrial looking place with excellent New American food. I haven't been there for lunch yet but I heard they have good sandwiches. You can park behind the restaurant or on the street. Years ago I would have recommended 71 Saint Peter but I think they totally went down hill. It used to be one of my favorite places but now the food seems really salty and not as high quality. Now that the owners also own Strata (another decent place), I don't think they put in as much effort as before. Wed Sep 22 19:44:18 -0700 2004 138809 0 Alia 1 139067 Haven't been there in a few months, but the Sonoma Chicken Coop, on San Pedro Square, is quick, fresh, good, and cheap. It has a nice little patio area, and is pretty casual compared to some of the other places mentioned. It can be a bit crowded from noon to 1, however. Link: http://www.sonomachickencoop.com/ Fri Sep 24 11:20:14 -0700 2004 138809 0 Jdot