In need of fabulous lunch spot in SF Casual but delicious

[noosalady]

My husband and I are flying from London to SF for a weekend wedding in Napa. On our way out to Napa on Friday we are hoping to have a meal in the City to satiate our foodie needs. Could someone post a spot to have lunch that would be worth taking the time out? We just want to enjoy some proper San Francisco cooking! Thanks for taking the time!

[ML8000]

Zuni is the SF pick. Hard not to like it or pick it. That said, if you want foodie stuff, I might go to Slanted Door and the Ferry Building. You'll get a two-for-one there since there's a bunch (20?) of foodie places, not to mention the Farmers Market (Tu, Th, Sa). Of course if you have the time, just go to Zuni then take the street car down Market St to the Ferry Building.

[vis]

I was just about to mention the Ferry Building as well...Zuni rocks but if you want to meander, Ferry Building is a nice experience.

[steve h.]

Zuni is always the first place we hit after touching down at SFO. The drill is simple: touch down at the airport, BART to the Financial District, drop off bags at hotel, take the "F" up Market to Zuni. Vodka gimlet for me, wine for Deb to shake the jet-induced dross. We split a half-dozen oysters and order a burger each. Love the string fries but don't order them anymore because I can't eat all that food. A few bottled beers round things out for me. We usually walk back to our hotel.

Love the Zuni.

[vulber]

Somewhat unrelated, but I never understand why Zuni has to have the (seemingly) only high-end ala carte burger in the city. Without the fries, it's $15, already more expensive than the high-quality burgers at NOPA, Spruce, and Boulevard, just to name a few, all of which come with fries. Is it really that hard for them to throw a few fries on the plate with the burger instead of charging a separate $6 for an enormous plate?

[steve h.]

A few on the side of my lunch-time burger plate would be more than welcome but even that modest gesture would be too much food for me. Maybe I should show up after a late performance and order oysters and fries. That has potential.

[mikeylikesit]

I third Zuni and whatever you do order the chicken and bread salad.

[mrs bacon]

Or oysters and the burger (do they even offer the chicken at lunch?)

[wolfe]

It's on their online menu but it still takes an hour. Makes for a leisurely lunch.

[Robert Lauriston]

The chicken is even on the mid-afternoon menu.

[Jeff]

Second the Zuni recommendation. Or Tadich Grill.

[Robert Lauriston]

Zuni.

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Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102