San Francisco--recommend good food shops and places to eat? Please share

[SmeagolDobby]

Hi All,
Traveling to California, part business/part fun.
I am hoping to get your expert recommendations.
I am staying in San Francisco, near the embarcadero for a few days, traveling by myself.

Would love to get your thoughts on yummy places to grab a bite, or some good gourmet shops to get some 'not-to-be missed' San Francisco treats (like a good chocolate store or fudge, or cookies, or home-made ice cream, or other yummy places).

As I am traveling by myself I don't think I want to eat at the poshest of places, but rather places I can be comfortable and have some good food. I love fish, vegetarian items (no meat or shellfish), french, italian, American, nouveau/eclectic cuisine, afternoon tea, thai, etc. (not interested in Indian, steakhouses, so-so on chinese and Japanese)

***I will also be in Menlo Park for a few days, on business. Anything there that's good?

Please share your insight. Greatly appreciate.

[Shane Greenwood]

The Ferry Building is the best place to find restaurants and food shops around the Embarcadero.
XOX Truffles is the best for chocolate.

(FYI, try searching the board for specific things you like. You're question is quite broad so it's difficult to make recommendations since your question covers hundreds of places.)

Iberia is a great place in Menlo Park, especially if you're dining alone. There is a very casual and comfortable bar area with a fireplace and lots of seating. It's a Spanish tapas restaurant.

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Iberia Restaurant
1026 Alma St, Menlo Park, CA 94025

XOX Truffles
754 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

[steve h.]

first order of business is to get a 3-day passport at the ferry building. this gains you access to most of the city's mass transit at a fraction of the per-ride rate. important if you want to have a little fun with food.

you might want to catch the "f" on market in the financial district and head up to zuni for a lunch-time burger. sitting at the bar works well. dinner is good, too. grab a friend and share the signature chicken. it really is that good.

one market, at the bar, is very solo friendly. ignore the bar menu and ask for the dining menu. solid stuff. the barkeeps are pretty friendly and you can chat as much as you want. or not.

tadich grill is an icon. go for a late lunch (after 2:30 p.m.) and sit at the bar. i order raw oysters and gimlets. the other stuff is pretty good, too.

take the j-church light rail to incanto for a killer dinner. solo diners are treated with respect. the food and the wine selection is outstanding.

you can always hop on the 30 bus and scoot to the marina district for a meal at a16. sit at the bar, have a wine or two, chow down on a decent pizza and order something else to seal the deal. a16 is a hoot.

i'm a sucker for in-'n-out burger. hop the "f" on embarcadero (in front of the ferry building) and take it to the end of the line. walk a block up on the main drag and you are there. a double double with onions works for me. fries, extra crispy and a pink lemonade complete the order.

lunchtime dim sum (deem sum) at yank sing (rincon center) is very good. sit alone or order take-out. either way, it's all good.

bar crudo (take the cable car) for dinner also works.

eating well in san francisco is ridiculously easy. hope you have a good time.

[dinnerout]

It is also fun to eat at the bar at Nopa - place is so crowded you probably wouldn't get a table anyway, but the food and cocktails are great!

[Xiao Yang]

Your posting history suggests you are a chocoholic, so you probably should know about about Fog City News, which has a huge selection of fine chocolate bars and is not far from where you are staying.

http://www.fogcitynews.com/

In addition to XOX, there's a Michael Recchiuti outlet in the Ferry Building for fancy schmancy chocolates with exotic flavors, a Scharffen Berger (chocolate maker) outlet (also in the Ferry Building) and Confetti le Chocolatier at 100 Drumm and 525 Market St. for a variety of third party offerings.

[SmeagolDobby]

Hi Everyone, Thanks so much for your fine recommendations! I am definately interested in fun places to eat at, or buy gourmet foods at. And yes, :), I am a friend of chocolate.

Anyone else care to share? Much appreciated.

[daveena]

Here are a few threads from other visitors that will help you with your research:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/425934
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/454068
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/444544
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/451807
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/426595

[Lori SF]

Lots of good choices already. Once you have been through the Ferry Plaza maybe heading over to another neighborhood for a perfect Italian solo dinner go over to Filmore Street to S.P.Q.R. sister to A16. Here is a link- charming spot for great food-
http://www.spqrsf.com/
Also, take a walk over to Bittersweet cafe for dessert or hot chocolate..if you arrive on the earlier side of the evening lots of fun shops in the area. Easy cab ride, have the cab drop you at Filmore and Pine and you are within walking distance to both.

In Menlo Park check out- not just any market-
Draeger's Market
1010 University Dr.
Menlo Park, CA 94025
650-324-7700

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Bittersweet Cafe
2123 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

SPQR
1911 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115