664132 Mon Nov 02 11:19:09 -0800 2009 10 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 5149479 So I've narrowed down the choices to these two restaurants for Friday. We're coming in from out-of -town. Don't want super high end, or need absolute perfection. But want to steer clear if someone here has had a dreadful experience. Thanks. Mon Nov 02 11:19:09 -0800 2009 148694 trishpdx 1 5149579 Nopa is a great choice, B44 is good, but I don't think I'd send a visitor there, there's just a lot of other good food in the area that's better (and around the same price point). What kind of thing are you looking for, and why did you pick B44? Mon Nov 02 11:48:10 -0800 2009 5149479 13525 JasmineG 2 5149599 B44 close to the hotel (Pine and Powell) and we will have just gotten in from airport. Want a casual, leisurely place to eat lunch that has a hint of SF romance :-) Husband and I will be away from kids! Mon Nov 02 11:53:46 -0800 2009 5149579 148694 trishpdx 3 5150340 B44's good, has unusual dishes, and if the weather is decent you can sit outside. Sam's Grill on the corner of the same block has curtained private booths from the 19th century. Food's kind of stuck in the past as well but it's very, very SF, like Tadich minus the tourists. Mon Nov 02 15:18:02 -0800 2009 5149599 11369 Robert Lauriston 3 5152556 Hmm, I'm not sure how romantic it is, but I like the idea of Perbacco for lunch -- it's not far from your hotel, and the food is great. There will likely be a lot of business lunches going on around you, but that's the case for anywhere in the general area, including B44. The mention of business lunches shouldn't make you think it won't fit the bill of casual, though -- even business lunches in SF see very few suits. Tue Nov 03 11:43:07 -0800 2009 5149599 13525 JasmineG 4 5152581 Perbacco's good, and there's a chance of showers, so the outdoor seating at Belden might not be a draw. Tue Nov 03 11:49:45 -0800 2009 5152556 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 5152438 For casual upscale, my first choice in Union Square would be Gitane but alas, nothing available at reasonable times on Opentable. There's also Perbacco with an 8:30 availability. Street parking here is not too difficult at this time. Lack of parking would be a big deterrent for me at NOPA on a friday night. Tue Nov 03 11:06:23 -0800 2009 5149479 108661 ceekskat 2 5152514 When Opentable shows no tables available I often call the restaurant and get the time I want. Tue Nov 03 11:29:51 -0800 2009 5152438 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 5153965 Thanks everyone! I'm gonna go for Perbacco for lunch. Got a rez :-) Sticking with Nopa for dinner. Yay! Can't wait for my trip away with the husband to SF. Tue Nov 03 20:15:19 -0800 2009 5149479 148694 trishpdx 2 5156311 I think Nopa is a great choice. It's not new but still among the best and great vibe. Do you have reservations? Because walk in can be a wait. Wed Nov 04 14:56:11 -0800 2009 5153965 43882 singleguychef 3 5156530 Fantastic! I'm so glad to hear that. I do have a rez indeed :-) Wed Nov 04 16:07:02 -0800 2009 5156311 148694 trishpdx