Recommendations near Polk and California - quick lunch or dinner

[chocolatetartguy]

I have to run an errand there tonight or possibly tomorrow morning. I'll be hungry when I finish. Where to eat?

[chocolatetartguy]

Surprisingly, no one mentioned Swan Oyster Depot and Swan it was when I had to return to the scene of the crime this morning. I arrived at Acorn books at 10:15 for their final day sale. They weren't opening until 10:30, so I headed up Polk to Bob's for some doughnut holes.

Passing by Swan, I noticed they were already open. Why not a bowl of clam chowder for breakfast. The broth was full flavored but with only a modest amount of clam or potato. The crab salad served to the person next to me looked very good. Unfortunately my going for chow caused me to arrive at Acorn at 10:35 and I missed out on a 1935 British movie magazine with an article about Elsa Lanchester in Bride of Frankenstein. No great loss, but irritating.

[niki rothman]

I wish somebody would tell me what are the best choices at Swan because I have always wanted to eat there but it's kind of pricey for counter seating - so I'd like to know what is absolutely fabulous that one really should not miss.
Thanks!

[Melanie Wong]

Oyster or clams on the half shell, and in season, the crab salads. This is one of the few places where I'll order a plain ol' boiled crab in a salad rather than making it myself. Not overcooked or too salty here, nice when I don't feel like picking it myself.

[rootlesscosmo]

I like the chowder, though I agree with chocolatetartguy that it's not exactly packed with clams. But the broth is tasty and not thickened with flour, and for lunch--or breakfast, absolutely!--a bowl with sourdough and butter plus a pint of Anchor Steam is one of my favorite SF chow experiences and something I always take out-of-town guests to. Swan also sells some fresh seafood--mussels, clams, oysters, salmon, prawns, some other fish--to take home and cook; I bought PEI mussels there and was completely satisfied, and a friend regularly buys their raw oysters to serve at home.

[rabaja]

We bought cracked and cleaned crab from them when it was last in season. It was the most delicious crab I've ever brought home to eat. So fresh, so sweet and beautifully cleaned and presented. Will probably never go anywhere else again for our crab feeds. Yes, it was pricey, but damn was it good.
I can't wait for the start of the season, November, hopefully?

[ML8000]

After Swan's head down to Bob's Donuts at Washington/Polk for dessert. Those two combined are old school blue collar SF eating at its best. My grandmother use to live two blocks up the hill and use to go to both often. My grandmother would get either the crab or trout salad at Swan's.

On Polk, Wing Lee use to be good but I haven't been there for at least 10 years and don't know if they're still around.

[chocolatetartguy]

Your grandmother and mine must have been neighbors. Mine lived on Clay above Van Ness! Mine never went to Swan. She favored the places in Chinatown where you could get live seafood. We used to poke at the live crabs with chopsticks and I still remember the sound of them skittling about in the hot double boiler.

Is Wing Lee the place near Jackson? If so, they're are under new ownership and a shadow of their former self.

[ML8000]

Haha, small world. I know a bunch of people that went to Spring Valley (even someone who taught there) even though I didn't grow up in SF

Any way, my Grandmother went to Chinatown as well...but she also went to Swan's and other places. She was a proto-foodie in many ways. Besides dim sum houses, one of the her favorite places was Pacific Court. I use to take her there all the time in the 80's before she passed away.

Wing Lee use to be at Jackson and Hyde (kitty corner to U-Lee) but that was a long, long time ago. Wing Lee moved down to Polk about 15-20 years ago but I don't know if it's still there.

[chocolatetartguy]

Wing Lee had a counter in front with ducks and takeout steam table and a sit down restaurant to the side? They had home-style Cantonese, like cow yook?

A friend had a business on Polk below Jackson and we got lunch there often. About five years ago, I took him there, since he was moving east, and the food was embarassingly mediocre and barely edible. I found out later that ownership had changed.

[rworange]

There are a number of reports on the board that the clam chowder is canned with clam juice added. Just FYI.

[Eugene Park]

Ozone Thai. Couple blocks down Polk, on corner of Polk & Sutter. Board search will review many thumbs up for it. Clientele is predominantly Thai foreign students, especially later in the night. Style is more akin to street stall cuisine rather than the watered-down version of Thai food you get in most Thai restos in the US.

Best dish there IMO is the Thai boat noodles, which is basically a richer and deeper version of pho. I'm also partial to the sauteed fish cakes.

[bayareafoodiegirl]

Miller's East West Deli - Polk a block or two north of California -- not very expensive and, speaking as a former NYr, it's no Katz's but it's pretty darn good jewish style deli. I also like Bamboo Chinese Restaurant, great potstickers and a nice lunch menue. I've heard, though I can't say personally, that Mykonos is only so so.

[niki rothman]

Nara Japanese - sushi and more - on the west side of Polk south of California. I enjoyed the biggest bargain in shrimp tempura I have ever eaten at Nara. A veritable landslide of very decent sized shrimp in a respectable crispy not soggy panko crust for I think around $9. Nice sushi too. The soft shell crab was very good. Not fancy. But good.

Victor's Pizza. On the west side of Polk north of California. A San Francisco landmark. Closest thing to NY pizza in town. EXCELLENT pizza. Comfy booths. Old school all the way. Actually has an Italian staff ready and eager to flirt outrageously with any and all females in your party. Big comfy booths. Not JUST wonderful pizza - all the southern Italian tried and true standbys like veal parmesan, lasagna, manicotti - you name it, they've got it - will be prepared authoritatively and with good ingredients. The prices are more than fair.

[bayareafoodiegirl]

I want to redact my recomendation of Bamboo, got it yesterday at it was not very good.

[MuppetGrrl]

I'm not crazy about Sushi Rock. Chai Yo at Sutter on Polk has some very tasty Thai--the drunken noodle and panang curry are especially yummy. Victor's Pizza and Shalimar also have good food and they'll probably be quick.

[chocolatetartguy]

I think it's been mentioned before, but how does the food at the Polk Shalimar compare to the Jones St. branch?

[mchan02]

#1: Cordon Bleu on California between Polk and Larkin: little hole in the wall with incredible Vietnamese food. Especially good if you eat meat.

#2: Thai Spice on Polk between Clay and Washington.

#3: Sushi Rock at Sacramento and Polk.

#4: Mykonos on Polk at Pine: very good Greek food.

[chocolatetartguy]

Thanks, I was thinking about Cordon Bleu but couldn't remember the name. It's been a long time since I had their chicken.

[rabaja]

Cordon Bleu has gone down hill from what I've heard. If you do go, please report back.
Tai Chi on Polk at Pacific is good, cheap and fast. Not mind blowing, but good and probably better than CB's food.
Victors pizza is supposed to be fantastic! I've heard from a lot of friends that it's their favoriate in the area.
La Parilla has been both good and not so great when I've gone, but I haven't given up on them yet. Washington and Polk, outside seating is good for dogs too.