387990 Tue Apr 03 15:19:48 -0700 2007 24 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 2447510 Heading to San Francisco for work and would rather sample the city's delights than eat conference food. I will be staying at the Marriott on 4th street and would like to eat at places within a 5-10 minute cab ride of the hotel (never been to SF and don't want to get lost!). I am a young female and want to avoid anything that may include a pick-up scene...just me, good food, and a book. I will want to do one "nice" dinner (meaning entrees in the $25 - $35 range) and two other meals. I like all types of food and want to stay away from anything touristy. If you recommend a place and have a particular dish you enjoy, please share. Any local products I should bring home to the my chowhound husband who won't be making the trip? Tue Apr 03 15:19:48 -0700 2007 84465 adewaal 1 2447665 You won't get lost going anywhere from the Marriott -- it's right off the "main drag" (Market Street). For a nice dinner in that range, I'd head down to Boulevard -- they have a counter overlooking part of the line that's a really fun place to eat when you're by yourself. The bar at Tadich Grill is also a fun place to eat -- their speciality is fresh, local seafood and a seafood stew called cioppino. Both places are a longish (but simple) walk, or a very short cab ride (or for Boulevard, take the F street car down Market St.). For local chowish products, check out the Ferry Building market hall at the foot of Market Street (same direction as Boulevard). If you're going to be in town over a Saturday morning, the Farmers Market there is not to be missed. There's also a farmer's market at Civic Center (just a few blocks the other direction up Market St., although some of that area is a little scuzzy, so you might want to hop on a streetcar) on Wednesdays. Maybe I'm naive (or just showing my age), but I don't think restaurants being a "pick-up scene" is really an issue in SF. Tue Apr 03 16:06:12 -0700 2007 2447510 10159 Ruth Lafler 2 2448133 Maybe I'm naive (or just showing my age), but I don't think restaurants being a "pick-up scene" is really an issue in SF. Only in SOMA and some North Beach joints ... Impala comes to mind. Another suggestion is Coco500. Tue Apr 03 18:55:22 -0700 2007 2447665 10264 rworange 2 2449030 Thanks for the feedback. Any menu items at Boulevard that you recommend? Wed Apr 04 06:59:12 -0700 2007 2447665 84465 adewaal 3 2449951 Boulevard is particularly known for roasted meats, but I think everything there is good. If you sit at the counter, you can see for yourself what looks appealing. Wed Apr 04 10:48:51 -0700 2007 2449030 10159 Ruth Lafler 1 2448159 Lulu at the bar, no one will bother you and it's two blks from the the Marriot. There's Ame close by. There are also quite a few places North of Market. A second on going to the Ferry Building for take home stuff...you can also grab a nice meal there as well...you can probably get a seat at the bar at Slanted Door which is in the Ferry Building. Tue Apr 03 19:10:55 -0700 2007 2447510 27275 ML8000 2 2448498 Ame is a perfect choice for your "nice" meal. The bar is great (both the drinks and the seats/decor, not to mention service) and the food is spectacular. We loved our lunch there and can't wait to get back for dinner. Its in the St. Regis Hotel. Tue Apr 03 21:53:55 -0700 2007 2448159 80141 ccbweb 3 2449034 Did you eat anything specific at Ame that you really enjoyed? Wed Apr 04 06:59:41 -0700 2007 2448498 84465 adewaal 4 2450421 i second the rec for ame. they've got some very interesting crudo (i had the marinated trout) and the spaghetti "crab"onara was quite a different take on the standard. portions are a little small though. service is excellent. lulu's is a good place as well. they have daily specials from their brick oven like roasted leg of lamb sandwiches. hefty portions too. Wed Apr 04 12:16:41 -0700 2007 2449034 13415 lawrence 4 2451076 These are the dishes I loved: Tempura "Poke" with Ogo Seaweed, Hawaiian Sea Salt and Green Onions "Lissa’s Staff Meal": Cuttlefish Noodles and Sea Urchin Tossed with Quail Eggs, Wasabi, Soy Sauce and Gobo Japanese Egg Custard "Chawan Mushi" with Maine Lobster, Nameko Mushrooms and Mitsuba Sauce Broiled Sake Marinated Alaskan Black Cod and Shrimp Dumplings In Shiso Broth Linguine with Dungeness Crab "Crabonara" http://www.amerestaurant.com/dinner.html Wed Apr 04 14:26:37 -0700 2007 2449034 10896 chaddict 5 2452339 I also had the Lissa's Staff meal and the Chawan Mushi and both were just absolutely lovely. I also had the Tataki of Hamachi which was exquisite. The "sashimi" dishes were all very good. It isn't a sushi bar, per se, in that they have set dishes that you order off of the menu, but their sushi/sashimi offerings were all good. Wed Apr 04 21:26:09 -0700 2007 2451076 80141 ccbweb 6 2453601 Yep, the raw fish dish I had (a crudo) was terrific but that specific dish is not currently on the menu so I didn't mention it. Much, much better than the crudo I had at Perbacco. Thu Apr 05 09:43:31 -0700 2007 2452339 10896 chaddict 7 2453915 Yeah, I was underwhelmed with the crudo at Perbacco. Not bad, just not very interesting. Plus, it seemed expensive, compared to what you'd get at an equivalent quality sushi place. Thu Apr 05 10:56:51 -0700 2007 2453601 10159 Ruth Lafler 1 2449213 A 10-minite cab ride will get you to the vast majority of restaurants discussed on this board. Here's what Microsoft Sreets says is a 10-minute drive zone from the 4th St. Marriott using the latest roadway construction data in their dartabase. It's probably reasonable for off-peak: Wed Apr 04 07:59:50 -0700 2007 2447510 10255 Gary Soup 2 2449218 Thank you so much. What a thoughtful gesture! Wed Apr 04 08:01:25 -0700 2007 2449213 84465 adewaal 1 2449405 If you like seafood, you should check out Bar Crudo, which is perched above the Stockton Tunnel, a 5-block walk north of the Marriott. No pick-up scene, and there's a handful of bar seats that are great for solo diners. Best of all, great food -- the seafood chowder with applewood smoked bacon is delicious, and if you go and they have the lobster salad, you're really going to want to order that -- it's another hit. My mouth is watering right now thinking about it, and it's not even 9 AM yet! Only open for dinner. Bar Crudo is very focused on seafood, though, so you may want to check out the menu on the website in advance to see if it's to your liking. Website: http://www.barcrudo.com/ Wed Apr 04 08:54:12 -0700 2007 2447510 35805 shortexact 2 2449455 Above the Stockton Tunnel? I hope it didn't displace the Tunnel Top Bar! Wed Apr 04 09:06:13 -0700 2007 2449405 10255 Gary Soup 3 2449884 Tunnel Top is still there, right next to Bar Crudo. Wed Apr 04 10:36:40 -0700 2007 2449455 37115 rbaganon 2 2449498 Wow, that sounds wonderful. The only problem with eating alone is that I can't sample more food. Wed Apr 04 09:13:55 -0700 2007 2449405 84465 adewaal 1 2450196 I travel almost non-stop for work and have similar requirements as your own, except in other cities. I, along w/my book, stick to the bar/chef's counter. Suggest Zuppa http://www.zuppa-sf.com/ in SOMA, which is an easy walk (just keep your eyes open, especially under the freeway) from your hotel. I suggest Zuppa because: 1) They have fantastic house-cured meats. If you can, try one of the starter platters. 2) They offer a good selection of wines by the glass (important unless as a single you want an entire bottle). 3) They have a great chef's counter where you can comfortably feel part of the atmosphere while still keeping to yourself, if you prefer. Enjoy! Natalie Wed Apr 04 11:35:47 -0700 2007 2447510 28630 natalie 2 2451369 I would never return to Zuppa but I would return to Fringale or Coco500 in the same area. Wed Apr 04 15:41:42 -0700 2007 2450196 10125 Frosty Melon 3 2452045 I really disliked Zuppa too, especially the salumi plate. But there've been some uphill reports for the new team there, so I might consider it. Wed Apr 04 19:33:11 -0700 2007 2451369 10039 Melanie Wong 4 2453609 Didn't know about the new team; I won't knock it now 'til I've tried it. Thu Apr 05 09:45:58 -0700 2007 2452045 10125 Frosty Melon 5 2453697 Report of the new chef @ Zuppa was in the Chron Inside Scoop in early Feb... http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/07/FDGRANUOGE1.DTL&hw=zuppa&sn=004&sc=603 Thu Apr 05 10:06:42 -0700 2007 2453609 11277 Paul H 1 2452157 Counter at Kuleto's right up the street on Powell - Keep in mind with the price of cabs in SF if you are on a budget if you keep to walkable locations (easy - but as a female I would be careful about some locations after dark) you will eat fabulously Wed Apr 04 20:17:45 -0700 2007 2447510 12354 marinrain