653811 Mon Sep 21 07:16:02 -0700 2009 12 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 5045571 Next Sunday, my wife and I plan to explore the South Park neighborhood in San Francisco (3-4 blocks from AT&T park). From earlier drive-by's, it looks interesting -- cafes, art galleries, the park itself, modernist architecture. But, I've never eaten at any places in this neighborhood. Any chowhound recommendations in the South Park area? Thanks. Mon Sep 21 07:16:02 -0700 2009 55188 cortez 1 5045773 In South Park: Butler & the Chef: great breakfast or lunch, very rustic French café Caffe Centro: since I don't drink coffee, not sure about how it is, but the sandwiches and salads are a good value and made to order; lots of office workers there at lunch Mexico au Parc: heard it's not a great burrito but not bad for the area Little Skillet: not in South Park but a few blocks away. Fried chicken from a takeout window, currently trendily popular Town's End: inexpensive, solid California cuisine Delancey Street: they call themselves an ethnic bistro, has outdoor tables Other than that, there are mostly sports bars and places relying on ballpark traffic. Mon Sep 21 08:24:41 -0700 2009 5045571 20213 chezchristine 2 5045839 Unless you are into window shopping, I'd call some of the business and gallaries you are interested in before going. South Park was revitalized during the dot.com boom, had it's decline during the bust and then slighty perked up later. It is still a neighborhood driven by local office workers. Sunday is dead ... dead, dead, dead. Butler & Chef is the best bet for breakfast/lunch and open on Sunday. Mexico au Parc is closed Sunday. Caffe Centro has been opened and closed on Sunday over the years. Not sure the current state, but Sunday is not the best day as when they are open, everything they sell is scaled back. South Park Cafe is closed on Sunday. I love Town's End and enjoy Delancy Street from time to time, but I'd consider them more of the Embarcadero. Closer are Nova (is it still there?) and 21st Ammendment. I'm not sure if what was Plumpjack ever reopened. Paragon is a chain and pretty uninspiring. However, a walk from the Ballpark along the Embarcadero is a lovely thing and is more likely where the locals (I was one) will be found on Sunday. Ninth Annual Chowing with the Hounds Picnic! October 3rd, 2009 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/652687 Mon Sep 21 08:44:29 -0700 2009 5045773 10264 rworange 3 5045871 Yes, Nova is still there but I'm not sure it's open on Sundays. The old Plumpjack (Jack Falstaffs) space is still vacant. Ironside, in the old Chronicle Books building is supposed to open today--on 2nd near Townsend. It's from the same group that has District (on Townsend near 3rd) and will be open for breakfast and lunch initially--not sure about Sundays, though. And, yes, you're right--Sunday is not the best day to roam around South Park as it is dead. Butler and Chef is definitely worth a visit, though. Mon Sep 21 08:52:56 -0700 2009 5045839 183782 bobpantzer 1 5046395 Another hearty recommendation for Butler and the Chef for their brunch / French bistro fare. 21st Amendment Brewery is very close by and what I would call a sturdy choice. The food is not exceptional, but not bad either. The beer can be quite good. Sports bar? Yeah, but better than that thanks to their brewery. Mon Sep 21 11:23:36 -0700 2009 5045571 261092 BernalKC 2 5046414 21st amendment is good, solid, food, and one of the few places you can (naturally) get their Watermelon Wheat beer on tap (I happen to love this, some of my friends think it's awful). Mexico au Parc is owned by the same people as Casa Mexicana (which I happen to enjoy, others don't), although my one of my friends was telling me about some way where you could go to the back room and order your meat freshly grilled rather than the meat that's been sitting there for a while...I didn't quite follow though Mon Sep 21 11:29:14 -0700 2009 5046395 292347 vulber 3 5046433 I always liked Mexico au Parc. While it is gringo-friendly, I think they do a nice job especially the salsa bar. Will have to check out how to get freshly grilled stuff next time i'm there. Thanks for the tip. Mon Sep 21 11:36:55 -0700 2009 5046414 10264 rworange 4 5046782 interestingly enough, it's also the same people that own the now-closed Azteca, and the newly-opened La Tortilla in the Castro; both of which, despite being basically identical to Casa Mexicana in Duboce Triangle, which I love, never seem/seemed to taste as good. Mon Sep 21 13:11:48 -0700 2009 5046433 292347 vulber 3 5047925 There's no back room at Mexico au Parc, but there is a second grill in the back, separate from the burritos along the right. It's not exactly a destination restaurant though. Mon Sep 21 20:29:50 -0700 2009 5046414 10966 Windy 4 5048097 You tend to get better food if you order from the grill instead of the steam table. The only thing is, the grill service can be slow depending on what you order but it's fresher. Mon Sep 21 22:25:27 -0700 2009 5047925 27275 ML8000 1 5046770 agree with the other comments that South park is sleepy on sunday. Butler and Chef and 21st amendment are your open options right at the park. Galleries will likely be closed. even on Saturday you'll have many more options Mon Sep 21 13:08:10 -0700 2009 5045571 82489 margieco 1 5046974 I'm pretty sure every place in South Park is closed on Sunday except Butler and the Chef. 21st Amendment is okay, the food is decent but nothing special by any means (what you'd expect from a brew pub) and it will be packed before a game, which can be a plus or minus. The other place to consider is Brickhouse not far from South Park. It'll be a little more low key but I think the food is better then 21st. They serve a kobe beef burger and it's good...just make sure they cook it to your spec since they tend to over-cook it. They also have a weekend brunch menu that I've never tried. Not sure how Bacar is doing now but I heard they're serving brunch now. Mon Sep 21 14:07:28 -0700 2009 5045571 27275 ML8000 1 5046999 I like South Park Cafe (inexpensive French bistro), but it's not open Sundays. Note that parking and traffic are terrible during Giants home games. Mon Sep 21 14:15:41 -0700 2009 5045571 11369 Robert Lauriston