NYC Chowhound coming to San Francisco next week (First Time!)

[eventful]

I'm coming to San Francisco next week for the Fancy Food show - I am super excited as I have never been to San Francisco before! Can anyone please provide a few suggestions for a great dinner which would be pretty easily accessible from the convention center area? Also, I would love to visit some notable (or great up-and-coming) chefs' restaurants as I am producing a huge culinary event in NY this fall and am still looking for chefs to add to the roster.

Many thanks in advance to my fellow Chowhounders!!

[dhananjay]

flytrap! it's on the corner of second and folsom - http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi...

that's an old review, but things haven't changed.

also I'd suggest trying to get to 21st amendment brewery which is a few more blocks down 2nd street for some excellent mid-day treats and a local beer. I go there for lunch whenever I can.

[Robert Lauriston]

What do you like at Fly Trap?

You don't think the food at 21st Amendment went downhill?

[jbyoga]

All right - I've been quiet this long....go to freakin' Tu Lan!

Slanted Door was overrated when it was on Valencia too...

[uptown jimmy]

Tu Lan rules.

[LisaLisaSF]

If you haven't been to SF, you must try the Slanted Door. Definitely try the Yellow Tail appetizer. Boulevard is also a good choice. I agree with comments above - there are currently more interesting things culinarily going on outside of the Convention Center. For example, Pres a Vi and Terzo. FYI - Pier 23 seems to be closed - not sure if it is permanent or just under construction.

[Robert Lauriston]

Reports here so far on Pres a Vi and Terzo don't make it sound like either is the best of its type in the city.

[LisaLisaSF]

With all due respect, I think you should go to both before you post your opinion. I have and they arevery good. Both also have well-regarded chefs with interesting concepts.

[Robert Lauriston]

I have no opinion. Here are a couple of reports on Pres a Vi (a spinoff of Va de Vi in Walnut Creek), including yours:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/350001

Here are some topics on Terzo (same owners as Rose Pistola and Rose's Cafe), if you've posted about your meal(s) there the search isn't finding them:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/350001
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/314085

[chaddict]

As someone who works on the Presidio, I can tell you that word on the (local) street has it that Pres a Vi is so-so. I HAVE heard very good things regarding Terzo. Haven't been to either but I trust these sources.

[SanseiDesigns]

Town Hall - not too far from the Center. Local fun, and casual.
Remember it's Dungeness crab season! Avoid Fisherman's Wharf, but try a very local place on the Embarcardero called Pier 23 Cafe (at Pier 23, naturally). It is VERY casual, has music at night, and a really excellent whole roasted crab with REAL SF sourdough bread to sop up all the delicious juices. www.pier23cafe.com

Kuleto's (near Union Square) also does some very nice crab cakes. I suggest sitting at the bar (kitchen not drinking, unless that is the priority!) and chat with the line cooks. You never know when you might get a 'treat' from the kitchen!

Fancy Food Show can be a lot of fun. If you've never been before, plan your walk around carefully (savory to sweet, or vice versa) and don't eat a big meal before hand. There is so much to taste! The chocolates are amazing (look for Dagoba, an organic chocolate), charcuterie is wonderful, so are some of the olive producers. Have a great time, and welcome to the City by the Bay!

[yoyoma]

You are close to Bong Su, up and coming restaurant and making headlines. Don't miss Mixt Green on Sansome for lunch if you want a great great salad, up the street a bit.....

I'll be at the show too, have a great time.

[Paul H]

Up and coming chefs... Daniel Patterson @ COI, though perhaps he is already "up."

SF Chronical top 10 restaurants of 2006
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article...

[strephking]

Boulevard!

[nancyhudson]

Ditto!

[brokergal]

I agree that you ought not to limit yourself to the convention center area - cabs are fast and easy.

Foreign Cinema - Mission
La Folie - Russian Hill
Jardinere - Civic Center

[zin1953]

Keep in mind that San Francisco is only 49 square miles in size. Manhattan, while only 20 square miles, is "longer." Cab rides are not that difficult -- especially for California!

On the high-end, Restaurant Gary Danko http://www.garydanko.com/ is truly stunning. Masa's, too, http://www.masasrestaurant.com/ though a bit more staid.

In the "only in San Francisco" realm, Slanted Door is a classic! http://www.slanteddoor.com/ So, too, is the entire Ferry Building Marketplace http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/ , including Hog Island Oyster Co. http://www.hogislandoysters.com/v2/ , Taylor's Refresher http://www.taylorsrefresher.com/ and all the rest! There's also Piperade http://www.piperade.com/ , Ame http://www.amerestaurant.com/ , A16 http://www.a16sf.com/ , Zuni Cafe http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/pr... , and . . . and . . . and . . .

[uptown jimmy]

Lordy mercy. Slanted Door is not "classic". It's a gimmick with decent food and great views. There's tons better retaurants in that fair city.

YMMV, of course.

[Robert Lauriston]

Definitely more Slanted Door haters than lovers on this board. I think the food's good and the wine list is great but I don't like anything else about it. Loved it in its original Valencia St. location.

[zin1953]

Let's see . . . good food . . . great wine list . . . yeah that's certainly a place I want to avoid! ;^)

Robert: I completely agree that the restaurant was outstanding while in the Mission, lost its way near PacBell Park, and is not as fine as it used be now that it's in the Ferry Bldg. I think it's a matter of getting too large for it's own good.

That means -- to my way of thinking -- that there are more "disappointers" (I can use that word) than "haters." In other words, I don't know anyone that hates SD, merely people who preferred it when it was still in the Mission.

But -- and this is key -- a) it's still good food; b) the person starting this thread has never been to San Francisco, period. They don't know from Valencia. And plenty of people I know from back east who've never been to SD before still find it wonderful.

Thus, I recommend it.

[Robert Lauriston]

I find the atmosphere really unpleasant. Most of my favorite dishes I can get cheaper at Bodega Bistro.

[Maya]

Have to agree about Bodega Bistro. The Ferry Bldg is definitely worth a stop, but go to Hog Island instead of SD.

[Missmoo]

I have to agree with that. I have not been impressed with Slanted Door since their last location.

[bakeryqueen]

Is Taylor's any good?

I love sweet potato fries, and that white pistachio shake sounds good.

Is it just a glorified Johnny Rockets? Cause that's how my midwest mind is picturing it. Someone set the record straight for me. Thanks.

[SanseiDesigns]

Yes - not anything close to JR; not chain-like, though they are now in the city as well in St. Helena. The garlic fries are delicious. Burgers are good, and shakes are really thick and rich. It's the slowest fast food you may ever enjoy. The original location is the best, particulary on a warm, sunny day.

[SanseiDesigns]

BTW, Taylors Refresher is owned by a family that is well invested in the wine industry as well.

[eventful]

Thanks, Robert!

[Robert Lauriston]

New Yorker visiting SF:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/323905

Places to eat near Moscone convention center:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/323676