City Suggestions

[Jooliet]

I'm coming back to SF for a short visit later this week and staying near Union Square. I lived in the city/marin for 10 years but have not kept up on the restaurants. Would love to find a few suggestions for Thursday and Friday night. I've been to many of the recommended: Slanted Door, Delfina, A 16, Beetlenut but not sure what other little gems have "popped up"? Years ago went to Albona and not sure of its status. We like qualtiy food and a great atmosphere. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Jooliet

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Slanted Door
Ferry Slip, San Francisco, CA 94111

Delfina Restaurant
3621 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

[SFDude]

Gitane and Canteen are excellent suggestions for near Union Square.

If you like Italian, Bar Bambino and Beretta in the Mission District are excellent and very close to the 16th St. and 24th St. BART stations -- so you could just hop onto BART at Powell and be at dinner in 15 to 20 minutes.

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Bar Bambino
2931 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

Gitane Restaurant & Bar
6 Claude Lane, San Francisco, CA 94108

[Robert Lauriston]

I don't think Albona has changed.

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Albona Ristorante Istriano
545 Francisco St, San Francisco, CA 94133

[Ruth Lafler]

Regional Italian is super trendy right now. Since you liked Albona, you'd probably like La Ciccia (Sardinian). If you want to stick closer to downtown, Perbacco and it's little sister Barbacco are both excellent.

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La Ciccia
291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131

Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Barbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

[grayelf]

I'm a broken record on this but have you tried Canteen? I'd call it a little gem (it's really small) and it's walking distance from Union Square. Tons of reports on it (some from me while gastrotouristing in SF) if you are interested...

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Canteen
817 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109

[CarrieWas218]

Totally concur on Grayelf's Canteen suggestion. Beetelnut is so overpriced and mediocre as to not be worthy of a second thought (I feel that way about Slanted Door, but know I am in the minority on that one). I'm a recent recruit to Gitane's good food and service (and cocktails!).

I also think A16 gets over-hyped and prefer its sister restaurant, SPQR much more.

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Slanted Door
Ferry Slip, San Francisco, CA 94111

A16
2355 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123

SPQR
1911 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115

Gitane Restaurant & Bar
6 Claude Lane, San Francisco, CA 94108

[Jooliet]

Visited A16 and wish I would have reviewed the posts earlier. Food was mediocre and service lagged behind. Definitely scratched from the list.

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A16
2355 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123