DC Chowhound would like feedback on her picks

[Mulan]

After doing some research on this board, I made reservations at these restaurants to try out when I go to San Francisco next week. What is your opinion of my picks? Should I change them?

B44
Puccini and Pinetti
Rue St. Jacques

I also want to go to Tadich Grill, but they don't take reservations. I'll have to get there early. I wanted to stay within walking distance of the Hotel Rex which is where I will be staying.

In addition, I will be going to Monterey and booked Passionfish.

Any thoughts on these restaurants would be greatly appreciated. I wanted some moderate restaurants--not dirt cheap but not high-end. Any alternative recommendations would be welcome too.

Thanks!

[The Chowhound Team]

Folks, just a reminder, chow in the Monterey area is discussed on the California board. Please post your Monterey area recommendations there.

Thanks.

[diego]

Tadich and Perbacco a most to visit one a classic and the other a new kid in the block next to the level of any big one, so there you have it a good block of restaurants, Aqua, tadich and perbacco.

[susancinsf]

I haven't seen many, if any, reports on Perbacco, but a colleague mentioned that he was thinking of doing a business dinner there. Any reports or comments?

[monday]

We've only stopped by for a glass of wine, but the menu looks great. They have a special salumi fridge behind the bar, so it can't be bad!

[niccole]

i will second these 5 posts:

YES to PIPERADE, CANTEEN, PLOUF, A16, and ISA.

adding: MYTH

please report back!

[Chowsmurf]

We ate at B44 recently and it was horrible. They did have mussels, they were passable with nice chunks of andouille or chorizo, but the rest of the meal was overwhelmingly underwhelming. We were curious as to if the chef might have had a cold that night, or they may have run out of salt or something... bland, bland, bland. Dry, dry, dry.

[Robert Lauriston]

What else did you eat? My favorites are the xato, mushrooms, arros negra, romescada, baccala amb samfaina, and rabbit. Can't imagine any of those seeming bland.

http://www.b44sf.com/02_dinner.html

[Mulan]

We went to B44 last night and were not that impressed. The paella would have been good if made fresh, but it was as if they were premade and then heated up in the oven. The fish was good but dry. The best part was the tapenade-like olive oil that went with the bread. That was great. Also great was the atmosphere in Belden Place--sort of like the Plaka in Athens.

[susancinsf]

I was someone's guest at Puccini and Pinetti fairly recently, and while they weren't a Chowhound by any means, they were still embarrased by their choice. Not good. I agree totally with the Olive Garden comparison (in fact, my host was heard to mutter to himself that he liked Olive Garden better).

If you want to stay right near Union Square and want Italian, you are much better off going to either Zingari, or Scala's Bistro.

Passionfish, OTOH, is a great choice!

[lparis]

I stayed at the Rex-the little restaurant there was not impressive for breakfast, and neither was Canteen--I know it's touristy but Dot's True Blue Cafe on Jones (walkable from the hotel) has great breakfasts--It just gets really crowded. I also like Jeanty at Jacks which is a longish walk but very doable (it's in the financial district)

[dinnerout]

I was thinking about suggesting Jeanty at Jack's myself - and I agree, a longish walk but very doable. If walking just isn't in the cards, a quick hop onto the 30 Stockton or 45 Greenwich will get you near to myriad possibilities.

[Mulan]

We ate at the Rex this morning and I was very impressed. They had this duck and fig sausage which was neat. Good eggs. Fresh-squeezed OJ. Nice atmosphere. I would like to try Dottie's but its location in the Tenderloin makes my husband not want to go there. I guess we are just wusses. However, Cafe Andree is perfectly fine for our needs. I want to try their French toast with fig compote next. Thx for the feedback.

[singleguychef]

Oh, please don't go to Puccini and Pinetti. I hate to be such a snob, but I feel like that corner restaurant, while convenient to Union Square, is just a fancy Olive Garden. If you have a young child, then Puccini and Pinetti is ideal because it has crazy colorful decor and crayons for kids to draw. If you're traveling all the way from the East Coast to experience the Bay Area's distinctive cuisine, sigh, then I would seriously reconsider that reservation.

Now, a great place that's new and not too far from Union Square is Farmer Brown. It's a modern twist to Soul Food and a friend who used to live in D.C. says it gave him the feel of D.C. with California ingredients. The price is moderate and the portions are nice sized. The only downside is it's on the edge of the Tenderloin which isn't the best of neighborhoods for tourists. I, being a local, don't care and walk anywhere. But you might not enjoy the homeless etc. you might walk by getting to the restaurant. But if you're used to it in D.C., then I would say to take the extra two blocks walk to Farmer Brown. Here's their site: http://www.farmerbrownsf.com/

[Mulan]

I've cancelled my reservation for Puccini and Pinetti, but did have heart set on Italian for one night. Booked instead with Antica Trattoria. Is this place any good? I have to admit to chow laziness in that I like to book on opentable as I do at home in DC...kind of like the bird in the hand thing. However, am definitely open to non-opentable restaurants which you have already recommended. Would love to have a seafood linguini type of meal like I had in the Amalfi Coast last year. Any place that could do this? Thx!

[susancinsf]

I haven't tried Antica Trattoria, although I believe it gets good recommendations on the board. You might try a search. Zingari, which I mentioned in my post below, is on Open Table and a short walk. They do seafood dishes quite well (I was impressed with their calamari), and do have a seafood stew on the menu, and a clams linguini, though I haven't tried either.

Here is my report from last year.

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

When I read it, I realized I never updated with the outcome of my group meal there, so here is the update: food was very good and the group was pleased: however, service on the group visit was *very* slow, probably because there were two large groups (ours and another) in the house that night. It isn't my first choice for Italian in SF, but I'd certainly go again, happily, if I wanted something near Union Square. (and so much better than Puccini and Pinetti....). They have a nice bar as well, with piano music most nights, I believe.

If you go, please do report back, as there aren't many reports on Zingari on the board...

[Mulan]

Tonight, I ended up cancelling Antica Trattoria and booking Zingari. Turns out my husband, heretofore known as El Exigente, thought Antica's menu too limited; Zingari had wider choices. So we went there. The good news: food was good. El Exigente had papardelle pasta with short ribs; I had linguini with clams. The food was great. The bad news: my husband didn't get a lot of food; he ate a lot of bread to make up for it. The cheapest bottle of wine was $39. Bottom line: tasty food, but very pricey.

[susancinsf]

thanks for the update. Do you know if the prixe fixe I mentioned in my post was available? I thought the prixe fixe was a pretty good deal, particularly for that neighborhood...

[Mulan]

Yes. It was $29 for an appetizer, entree, and dessert. It does sound like a good deal, but my clam dish wasn't one of the prix fixe entrees, so I didn't go for it.

[souschef]

I prefer limited menus as the kitchen can concentrate on doing a few things well.

[Robert Lauriston]

Rather than Rue St. Jacques, why not jump on the Geary bus and go to Chapeau?

Rather than Puccini and Pinetti, why not jump on the 30 and go to L'Osteria del Forno, Ristorante Ideale, or A16?

[Mulan]

We just got back from Rue St. Jacques and am sorry to report back that it was disappointing. It is so hard to figure out whether a restaurant will be good or not when the reviews are mixed. I had the cassoulet which I've never had before--it was very greasy and heavy. Maybe that is just the way it is, but it also seemed reheated. My husband ordered steak au poivre and it was the worst version of that he had ever had. The atmosphere was nice and we struck up a long conversation with the couple next to us...so the meal was not a total waste.

[Robert Lauriston]

Mixed reviews often mean an inconsistent kitchen.

Cassoulet is a very substantial dish.

[a_and_w]

Strongly second the Chapeau rec -- their cassoulet is especially good. As Morton mentioned, you really owe it to yourself to expand your area of interest (though I'd hesitate to call SF's public transportation as "excellent"). At the very least, take BART or MUNI and check out the Mission...

[Mulan]

Final post--I promise! My husband noticed this restaurant, Trattoria Volare during our sightseeing. As we were on the Amalfi Coast/Sicily last year, he wanted to try it. I didn't see that much about it on the Internet, but we thought we would give it a try. Anyway, it was the best meal we had during our weeklong vacation. I had clams and mussels linguini, my husband had the pasta pescadora with clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari, etc. It was fantastic. The seafood was so fresh, the shellfish so plentiful. The linguini homemade and cooked perfectly. I don't understand why there isn't a line out the door as there is for nearby l'Osteria del Forno. Is it because no one has heard of Volare? If so, please give it a try, especially the seafood. I wish we had eaten there earlier than on our last night in SF, so we could have eaten there again. It was superb...and all the posters who said I could walk to North Beach were absolutely right...

[Robert Lauriston]

This is the first mention I've heard of Volare. I've walked past many times, but there are over 40 Italian restaurants in North Beach.

http://www.volarecafe.com/

[Morton the Mousse]

SF has an excellent public transit system. If you open yourself up to restaurants that are not in walking distance from Union Square, you will eat much, much better.

I second the rec for Canteen.

[monday]

I'd splurge on a cab to Piperade rather than go to Rue St. Jacques. My experience there was sub par.

[Maya]

Agreed. I went to RSJ with high hopes and it was lackluster.

[Doodleboomer]

You'll definetly enjoy Passionfish, I went there earlier this fall and had a great meal

[dinnerout]

I'm sorry, you're right - I had a senior moment! Belden Alley is fun and has a number of places that are enjoyable. Thanks for setting me straight!

[rtmonty]

Tadich is wonderful, by all means go there. Go early for lunch. If sand dabs are on the menu, have them. If not, petrale sole, pan sauted, is outstanding with their great tarter sauce.

We love Rue Saint Jacque. In fact, have reservations there for next Friday. Have never been disappointed there, rack of lamb, cassolet, rabbit, all wonderful. Service is always spot on. Plus, Walk up to California after dinner and take the cable back to the hotel.

Actually B44 is not know for it's mussels, that would Plouf. in the same alley. B44 is tapas, small plates. We've enjoyed it, lots of fun, in the Belden Place alley which is always fun.

Have a great trip and report back.

[Mulan]

Got to Tadich Grill early (5:15) and there was already a wait. Nabbed two spots at the counter and got the sand dabs. They were yummy. However, sides (french fries and brussel sprouts) not so great. Loved the old-fashioned venue. Felt pressure to eat and leave so the people standing with drinks behind me could get seats. Thx for the recommendation.

[dinnerout]

Well, I might not be a good person to ask - I love to walk and SF is a great walking town. There are a lot of places in the Union Square area, so you should have no problem. You might consider d'Anjou, a teeny, tiny place next to the Campton Place Hotel. I've not been to Canteen, but I would definitely try it, it gets rave reviews and sounds like it is right next to you. If you want to zip out to North Beach but are put off by the walk, you can easily hop onto the 30 Stockton or 45 Greenwich bus - they take you through the tunnel and stop right in the heart of North Beach and Columbus & Stockton.

[Mulan]

How often do these run during the evening? If it every 15 min, that would be fine. I located a bus map and saw these lines. Thx.

[Robert Lauriston]

30 runs every 12 minutes, 45 every 15.

http://www.sfmuni.com/cms/mms/routes/...

[dinnerout]

They run frequently and you can take either one, so you should have no problem at all. Even if you have to stand, it is quite a short ride so don't be put off if the bus looks crowded.

[a_and_w]

They do run frequently but be prepared for it to be VERY crowded as you go through Chinatown. Honestly, with the exception of the tunnel, it's a really interesting and easy walk.

[dinnerout]

I think Caffe Puccini is probably a better bet than Puccini & Pinetti - it is in North Beach, the other is more downtown.

[Mulan]

Do you think I could walk from Union Square to Caffe Puccini? On the map, it looked like North Beach was too far away. Having said that, I do love Italian food.

[Chuckles the Clone]

Depending on how you feel about walking, Union Square to Pucccini is
quite do-able. The quick way is on Stockton, though the tunnel. The
best way is to walk down to Grant Ave and head straight through Chinatown.
Half an hour maybe, and no significant hill action. Plus, you get to
walk all the way though Chinatown (which is both touristical and totally
great at the same time).

[dinnerout]

Tadich is a great choice and getting there early is the key. I liked B44 - it is known for the mussels, which I'm not a huge fan of so truthfully I don't go there too often. Many people in this group really like Rue St. Jacques - I've only been once and my entree was okay, my friends fared better. I've not been to Puccini & Pinetti, but I'm not sure it is known for its food. Do you want particular neighborhoods? I would go to Isa on Chestnut near Steiner - it is one of my very favorites and I go often. I love the grilled chicken and the rissoto, people rave about the sea bass also. Is there a particular cuisine you are interested in?

[Mulan]

I want to stay within walking distance of the Hotel Rex in Union Square. So I guess about a mile radius of the Hotel minus any bad neighborhoods. I like French, Italian, American, seafood. Actually, I also like ethnic food but I get a good dose of that in DC already. Thx!

[rworange]

Right across the street from the Rex is Canteen which get lots of positive reports on this board. I had dinner at the restaurant in the Hotel Rex and was not wowed, but other people like it. There have been positiver reports on the breakfast though.

[barndog]

I think Canteen is on Sutter, next to the Hotel Commodoore, and the Hotel Rex is on Bush.

[JoyM]

You might want to try some of the local ethnic food anyway. In particular, the different types of Chinese food. I lived in DC for 10 years and I never experienced anywhere near the variety and quality of Chinese food anything like what exists in the Bay Area.

[a_and_w]

I strongly agree. DC is sorely lacking in good Chinese. You might want to try a real burrito as well. For more upscale, I second A16 and would add Delfina.

[Robert Lauriston]

You sure you're not confusing B44 and Plouf a few doors down? Plouf's specialty is mussels. I've eaten at B44 many times and don't remember ever seeing mussels on the menu.

[dinnerout]

Yes, I was confusing it with Plouf, thanks for fixing my mistake!