Ferry Bldg recs?

[PamelaD]

Hi all,

I will be in town for a convention later in the month and thought that the Ferry Bldg looked like a fun place to hang out for a long lunch.
I know Slanted Door is there, but what obout some of the other faster-foods? Any reccomendations?

And it looks like there are lots of gourmet food shops/stalls. Anything I should specifically seek out?

And how far of a walk will this be for me from the Moscone Center?

Thanks,
Pam
in IL, can't wait to get to San Fran!

[JasmineG]

I like Delica a lot, but it (like everything in the FB) isn't cheap. Hog Island is fantastic (and has happy hours on Mondays and Thursdays with $1 oysters), Slanted Door to go is good, some bread from Acme and cheese from Cowgirl is a great lunch, and I like Mijita (though some don't). The only places that I don't recommend are the Italian sandwich place that I can't remember the name of, and Miette (very pretty but not tasty cakes).

[Robert Lauriston]

I like some things at Mijita, but stuff is often not as hot as it should be, and the tortillas are weird.

[DavidB]

I like Hog Island (for oysters)and Taylor's (for western bacon blue ring, ahi burger, any of the shakes & Garlic Fries). If you are there on sunday, go to boulette's larder and grab some beignets to go. I've heard that Delica Rf-1 and mistral are excellent as well.

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

I agree Mistral is wonderful and I can attain to their promptness, plus they are not far from outdoor seating. When I first arrive at the ferry building I really enjoy getting a bag of homemade potato chips from LuLu petite and perusing the whole 'scene'. It will tie you over so you don't settle on the first place you see and then later regret trying another place. Additionally, you may also want to have small portions from each place that looks good to you rather than eating at one place.

[Mick Ruthven]

The few times I'm there I keep thinking I should try a new place but always seem to go back to Mistral because it's so good. Here's a very good review of Ferry Building food by bunrab. It's part 1 (don't miss the "Next Day" link to part 2 at the bottom of the page).

http://bunrab.com/yummychow/MetroMenu...

[Mary64]

While you mentioned the Slanted Door, you asked about faster places. Slanted Door has a take out place that has a few seats and a place to stand and eat. If it's nice, you can go eat outside. I highly recommend it - it's called Out the Door.

Mary

[Kim Cooper]

We get most of our meal at Mistral's but go over to the place in the northwest corner and get sweet potato fries to go with it. Which is that place? We don't pay any attention to the name I guesss....

[Karen_Schaffer]

Yes, get food at Mistral and take it over to the wine bar to get a glass of wine to go with it. I love that the wine bar encourages people to do this!

[wchane]

i walked by this place yesterday and the aromas floating out of the door was just gastronominalful. i wanted to hop in before dinner, but had to hold myself back.

[fine wino]

That's Taylor's Refresher.

[The Librarian]

I really like the croquettes and salads at Delica-rf1, the Japanese place. Also had a great lunch at the seafood place right next to Hog Island. The gelato at Ciao Bella is good. I do think that Taylor's Refresher is overhyped and overpriced. I'd rather go down the Embarcadero (towards the Bay Bridge) to Red's Java House at Pier 30 and have a great, way cheaper burger there!(Don't forget that, if you're facing the Ferry Building and the Bay, the uneven numbered piers go to the left, and the even ones go to the right. So Pier 39 is nowhere near Pier 30.)

[Robert Lauriston]

Taylor's isn't overhyped on this board. Most reports have been either thumbs down or said that the food was fine but cost way too much for the quality.

[The Librarian]

I didn't mean overhyped, etc. on CH, just out in the world. We CH'ers are more discriminating!

[Atomica]

But I really love the Chinese Chicken Salad at Taylor's! I really want to try it again, but I went a couple of Fridays ago and the line was far too long at lunch.

[Robert Lauriston]

People always complain about Taylor's prices, but they're not that different from the nearby Bistro Burger's. E.g. both charge $8 for Chinese chicken salad. The Financial District's an expensive neighborhood.

http://www.taylorsrefresher.com/menu/PDF/FBmenuSpring06.pdf
http://www.bistroburger.net/images/st...

[Ruth Lafler]

When you take into account the fact the food at Bistro Burger is inedible, it's an even poorer value.

I have to say I don't see the big deal about Taylor's though. I haven't bothered to try the one at the Ferry Building because I was underwhelmed with the original in St. Helena.

[Robert Lauriston]

My guess is the original Taylor's is like Fenton's, people who grew up with it have rose-colored glasses on.

[fine wino]

I too like the chinese chix salad at Taylor's. I LOVE the grilled ahi sandwich though. Yeah, it's a $13 dollar indulgence but that perfectly grilled, rare tuna on a fresh egg bun with spicy mayo and asian slaw is damn good.

[rootlesscosmo]

My favorite place to eat in the Ferry Building is Hog Island Oyster Co. Search this board for comments--unanimously positive, as far as I can remember. The clam chowder is remarkable and just a plate of oysters and a glass of Muscadet, with some Acme epi bread on the table and the Bay outside the window, is my idea of a real joy.

[uptown jimmy]

Hog Island. Best dining experience possible.

[Robert Lauriston]

Some people don't like the style of the clam chowder, which is similar to oyster stew.

[Atomica]

It's over a mile from Moscone Center. You could walk up to Market and either take BART to the Embarcadero stop (Ferry Bldg. a very close walk from there) or catch the F streetcar to the Embarcadero (stops across the street from the Ferry Bldg.).

Here's the Shopping and Dining page from the Ferry Building website:
http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.c...

Depending on day/time/weather, it can be quite crowded at lunchtime with long lines, so if you don't have a lot of time, you'll need to be somewhat flexible on where you eat.