Need suggestions for good tamales, Japantown, and Union Square

[dshea77]

My mom and I are visiting San Francisco next week and I need some pretty specific suggestions.

1. We're going to Gary Danko's and while I know to get the foie gras (thanks to this board), I'm wondering if there are any other must haves.

2. We're staying in Union Square and would like some suggestions for an inexpensive breakfast. Less than ten dollars per person but not fast food.

3. The Japan Center is on our list but my mom, despite being Japanese, doesn't like fish. So are there any suggestions for good Japanese food for the unadventurous but that also does serve good sushi (because I enjoy it), that would be appreciated.

4. I'm looking for some good tamales in a clean, well-lit restaurant. Generally, I find the best tamales can be found on carts, but I know my mother won't eat from a cart. Oh, and if a restaurant has good tamales AND elote, that would be great, too. We are spending half a day in the Mission.

Also, any suggestions for the Wharf and Golden Gate Park would be welcome. Thanks!

[Melanie Wong]

Anyone tried the revamped izakaya menu served in Yoshi's bar?

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Yoshi's Jazz Club & Japanese Restaurant
1330 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA

[Carrie 218]

Unfortunately, Yoshi's new Izakaya menu is atrocious. I was there on Monday and my date and I shared a dragon roll (limp), seared scallop (they leave the liver on and it was chewy to the point of having to be spit out), rice cakes (lame), and three other dishes which were completely forgettable... something called a Geisha roll which I had one bite of, some pickle thing, and something else I can't remember...

[Robert Lauriston]

1. Gary Danko's one of the few non-tourist-trap options at the Wharf. I keep meaning to try Morton the Mousse's recommended meal:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/4234...

3. A 20-minute bus ride from the Japan Center, Oyaji does good sushi and izakaya dishes. It's also near GG Park.

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Oyaji Restaurant
3123 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121

[dshea77]

I've never done izakaya, but I just may have to because I've seen nothing but good reviews of Oyaji. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Robert Lauriston]

Oyaji is particularly fun if you sit at the bar so you can chat with the chef / owner's.

There's also O Izakaya in Japantown, but they don't do sushi.