Moscone Center - good restaurants

[honkman]

I will stay next week for a conference at the Marriott close to the Moscone Center and need good lunch and dinner spots, preferably within walking distance. Because some days will have long poster sessions I am also looking for dinner place which are open late (past 10pm).
Thanks for the help

[Paul H]

B&M Mei Sing Cheap and fast, but NOT GOOD.

[Robert Lauriston]

I had Chinese coworkers who ate at B&M almost every day. Some of the food was gross, especially the steam-table stuff, but some of the cooked to order dishes were OK.

Though Henry's Hunan (110 Natoma between New Montgomery & 2nd) is closer to Moscone and the food's better. Try the smoked ham or the hot & sour beef (with plenty of steamed rice).

http://greasepig.com/henrys

[rworange]

I gotta disagree with you on this one Paul. I ate frequently at B&M when working in the area. I never ordered the steam table food and all was well. I especially liked the beef with tofu. OTOH, I never did see the alure of any of the Henry's Hunan places, but the few things I tried there, didn't inspire me to eat more. Yep, I had the smoked ham first. Just not my thing.

[Robert Lauriston]

If you don't dilute the smoked ham with lots of steamed rice, it's too salty. Sort of like eating country ham without biscuits.

[chocolatetartguy]

I never ate off the steam table either. Granted it's on the greasy side, but they make credible Cantonese classics. Frequented by many, many fidi workers for a quick food fix and I know many (including me) who return for a nostalgic visit after taking jobs elsewhere. I've been eating there for 20 years (and I worked nearby for only 3 of them) and I'm still standing.

[chocolatetartguy]

I'll be going to the opening sessions Monday and will likely just have cheap, fast Chinese lunch at B & M Mei Sing on 2nd?, which is a short walk from Moscone. My other thought was Sorabol in Rincon Center for Korean fast food.

[Paul H]

crossreference with this one...
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[MikeR]

How about recommendations for a simple lunch, not necessarily fine dining (I usually have to eat lunch on my own nickel), just someplace that's a few block walk so I can get some air, eat for less than $10 (no alcohol), and get back to the convention in an hour or so.

I remember a huge building with a food court pretty nearby (I think there was a lot of Sony in there) but I can't remember what it was or on what street. A food court food is usually a small step up from convention center food at about half the price, so that sort of place would be OK.

[rednails]

You're thinking of the food court at the Metreon. A lot of people on chowhound don't like it, but it suits my needs (fast/fresh/inexpensive). I eat at Firewood pretty regularly, and usually get their veggie sandwich special (foccaccia sandwich, side salad and a soft drink) which comes out to $8.50. Pretty good bang for the buck.

Last Sunday I ate at Sanraku. I'm really a sushi novice, so can't compare the quality to anything else nearby (or elsewhere) but got a combo (california roll, it was either 6 or 8 pc, I forget), & chicken teriyaki plate for about $12.00. It was pretty good, IMHO. Again, a lot of bang for the buck.

[Robert Lauriston]

Cha Am (Thai)
Chaat Cafe
Naan 'n' Chutney (is that the new name of Shan?)
Pazzia (pizza)

[Robert Lauriston]

TWO (former Hawthorne Lane) is another good recent addition to the area. Lunch Monday-Friday only. Dinner till 10 seven days.

http://www.two-sf.com

[Husky]

Check out the food area (in the basement) at the Westfield SF Centre on Market between 4th & 5th. There are several better-than-food-court places and the Bristol Farms market is very impressive.

[Robert Lauriston]

Which of the places did you think were better than a food court and what did you eat at them?

That just opened yesterday, right?

[Husky]

I was there all day yesterday (on business) and had pasta at Pasta Moto for lunch - while not earth shattering, certainly better than a Sbarro's-type place. For dinner I had a tri-tip sandwich at the Buckhorn Grill -- pretty good. Also had some gelato at Melt -- it was not the best gelato ever, but certainly good. Out the Door was not open yet, but if it is like the Ferry Bldg. location, it will be a welcome addition to the area. Also, the Bristol Farms market has a ton of prepared foods...

[RodW]

I like Azie (as well as LuLu next-door). Here's a link to a report I posted about Azie last year...

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[Jefferson]

There are a lot of restaurants around the Convention Center, but I haven't tried very many.

Thirsty Bear http://www.thirstybear.com/
Tapas and beer brewed on premises, loud, warehouse-like setting, pool table upstairs (unless that changed, haven't been for a couple of years).

Lulu http://www.restaurantlulu.com/
Mediterranean with an open layout, loud, the wood-fired oven gives your hair and clothes a somewhat smoky scent. A recent special of corn on the cob with truffle butter was excellent.

Luna Azul in Metreon
I thought this burrito place was well below average, despite having a nice review on the BurritoEater web site. Bleah.

[Robert Lauriston]

Oola's kitchen is open till midnight or 1am every day.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...