Upper Haight

[chocolatetartguy]

I have to do some business there and I found almost nothing in past posts about the Upper Haight. I used to eat in the Lower Haight, but the upper part is now a mystery me. Bonus points for being close to the Red Vic Theater.

[sugartoof]

Alembic is far superior to Magnolia, in my opinion (same owner), but it's usually crowded.

Kezar can range from pretty good, to outstanding, depending on if the chef/owner is around. Unless you're looking for something high end, this would be my go-to. It's no fuss.

Eos across the street has gone through some transformations to the menu, and change in chef, so I'm not sure what's current, but it used to be on the pricey and pretentious side for what you got. I've had both standout meals, and meals where I left hungry and felt robbed.

Boulangerie on Cole is one of the better locations of the mini-chain. Good for salads, the onion soup, etc.

Citrus Club is decent standard pan Asian, in a slightly hip setting.

For real casual, El Balazo is a burrito place with good tacos, tamales, and tostados.

Even more casual, if you time it right, Off the Grid has a food truck event on a weekly basis in the upper Haight.

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Citrus Club
1790 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Off the Grid
Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA 94123

[drewskiSF]

The previous Kezar mention looked to be for Kezar Pub on Stanyon. Looks like you're recommending Kezar on Cole which is across the street from EOS. I don't know if they are related.

Just wanted to point that out for the OP

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Kezar Pub & Restaurant
770 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA

Kezar Bar and Grill
900 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117

[Windy]

No, I was also recommending Kezar on Cole and Carl. Despite the similar names, the one on Stanyan is more of a bar, and the one on Cole better known for its food.

[drewskiSF]

Sorry. The original Kezar mention was for the Pub, so I thought you were referencing that too.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7944...

Could also have been for the Cole one and just mis-linked :)

[Cynsa]

http://offthegridsf.com/off-the-grid-...

Off the Grid on Thursdays (5 pm to 9 pm) Upper Haight on Stanyan Street @ Waller Street in the parking lot next to Kezar gym before you turn into Park Police Station

[ML8000]

Anyone been? That must be quite a scene if hippie hill is fully sparked and rolling.

[Cynsa]

a few brave the long lines on Thursdays

[Robert Lauriston]

The food at Magnolia Pub was good the last time I went there.

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Magnolia Pub & Brewery
1398 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

[vulber]

the alembic is the only place in the upper haight worth going to if you don't live in the neighborhood.

actually, i take that back. i still haven't tried the pizza at club deluxe yet, which many of my friends have raved about.

there's also the puerto rican place, parada 22, but i haven't been there yet

[chocolatetartguy]

I think I will try the Puerto Rican place. Otherwise, it's the Scottish place, as my nephew used to call McDonald's. I do like the fish sandwich and they have mini pineapple/mango smoothies for a buck.

[bigwheel042]

Parada 22 has been good but not great the couple of times I've visited. Fresh ingredients, but the flavors don't always seem to mesh the way I'd like.

Anyone been to Kan Zeman recently?

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Parada 22
1805 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

[vulber]

forgot about kan zaman. it's about on par with most of the other good middle eastern restaurants in sf (of which there aren't too many)

[ML8000]

I use to frequent Mickey's on Haight semi-regularly when I lived in the Aves. If you're in a car the parking lot is very seductive, esp in SF. Use to get the Happy Meal since it was about right for a snack...but no more toys.

[Windy]

I thought Parada 22 was owned by Cha Cha Cha. If it were me, I'd walk over to Kezar's.

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Cha Cha Cha
2327 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Parada 22
1805 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

[chuckl]

I agree about Alembic. I would go out of my way to eat there. Very nice selection of whiskeys also and some good beers on tap.

[boris_qd]

The cocktails at Alembic vary from good to awesome and are worth a detour. The food is usually good and I've had some great things (grilled chicken heart skewers were perfect).

[selectiveomnivore]

What about Alembic? Good drinks at least. Asqew Grill has some good quick options.

[Civil Bear]

There is always the Pork Store...

There is a Vietnamese place on the second floor along north side of the street that is actually pretty good. Sorry I cannot remember the name, but maybe some other chowhounders can help out.

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Pork Store Cafe
1451 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

[drewskiSF]

Only 2nd floor place I can think of is Ploy II, which is Thai, but might be what you're thinking of?

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Ploy II-Thai Cuisine
1770 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

[Civil Bear]

Yes, I think that is it. Meant to say Thai, but my fingers typed Vietnamese anyway.

[Cynsa]

after 31 years, "On July 25, our birthday screening of 'Harold and Maude' will be our last, I'm sad to say."
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/06/MN4O1K6O74.DTL

very near the Red Vic: Alembic Bar at 1725 Haight Street
http://www.alembicbar.com/local.pdf
http://www.alembicbar.com/
also from the folks at Magnolia Brew Pub at the corner of Masonic and Haight Street
http://www.magnoliapub.com/index.html
1398 Haight Street

[drewskiSF]

i used to like Citrus Club, but haven't eaten in that area in years.

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Citrus Club
1790 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

[boris_qd]

I've had some good food there as well (passable hot and sour soup, beef chow fun with great wok flavo, jade noodles and shrimp) but also some awful dishes ( some sort of curry noodles)

[ML8000]

That's a bit of a waste land...Cha Cha Cha, Squat and Gobble. If on public transpo...consider going to 9th/Irving, lots more interesting choices.

[chocolatetartguy]

Funny you should recommend those two as they were probably the last ones I ate at when I used to go to Haight years and years ago. There must be something around there.

[ML8000]

I wouldn't actually recommend Cha Cha Cha, never was a big fan but many people like it. Again there's just not much around there. Squat and Gobble is okay for fast, casual and inexpensive. Kezar Pub is okay but not exactly in the Red Vic vibe. On Cole there's Eos...but I've never eaten there but went to the cafe across the street.

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Kezar Pub & Restaurant
770 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA

[mzsnowhite]

The Red Vic is closed as of this week.

[chocolatetartguy]

I'm attending a special event.