Early dinner 4:30 P.M / Giants game

[emglow101]

My wife and I will be staying at the hotel St Francis union square. We will be driving up from Santa Cruz,Tuesday 8/23 Seeking early dinner rec.. She is taking me out for my birthday. Then we have the Giants game at 7:15. Thats why we want to eat early.I figure alot of places won't be serving dinner yet. Were not really into the wharf or asian food.I am allergic to shellfish. Leaning towards italian, regional / Ital american dosn't matter or any ideas. Looking for the range of $ 150.00 with wine.

Thanks.

[susancinsf]

The wharf is in the other direction anyway.

I'd leave your car at the hotel for an itinerary that involves going from Union Square to a restaurant to the game.

seems like Barbacco would be possible if you can wait till five when they open (and I would think you can: easiest way to get to the ballpark would probably be to take the Muni to the park: I think you should have no problem getting from the restaurant to the park in 45 minutes or less on muni. Check out 551.org before you go so you know routes, etc. Barbacco would probably come in under your price range. Its more expensive sister restaurant Perbacco would be nice also, but I don't think they open till 5:30, which would be pushing it.

Another good option to consider would be Zare at Fly Trap, for Mediterranean food. It is open at 4:30 per Open Table (apparently they open at four pm). You can walk from there to the ballpark in about 20 to 30 minutes. (so you could cab to the restaurant, then you could take muni back to the hotel after the game). I haven't eaten there in a while but I believe it has gotten some good recent reports on the board.

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Zare at Fly Trap
606 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Barbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

[emglow101]

I am thinking about pushing the time frame for the game. I have parking included with the tickets. I checked out Perbaccos web page last night and I like their menu. In your opinion between Perbacco and Barbacco which one has better food and atmosphere ? Pros and Cons

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Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Barbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

[Ruth Lafler]

Perbacco is a formal restaurant; Barbacco is more casual. The food at both is great, but they are totally different experiences. But if you're planning on taking your car, I like Susan's Zare at Fly Trap idea.

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Zare at Fly Trap
606 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Barbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

[emglow101]

Maybe Barbacco would be a good call as we will be dressed for the ball game. Does it get loud and crowded such as a happy hour at this time ? I will check out the Zare at Fly Trap web page tonight. Sounds like a good alternative . Thanks

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Zare at Fly Trap
606 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

Barbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

[mdg]

I don't think you want to be as far away as Barbacco with just 2 hours before the game. I've never been to Zare but logistically it makes a lot more sense. Traffic is crazy near the ballpark so you don't want to eat too far away. Even better logistically would be MoMo's, right across the street from the park, but I haven't been there either. (The places I have been aren't open as early as you need.)

Michael

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Momo's
760 2nd St., San Francisco, CA 94107

[emglow101]

Thanks, that's what I figured MoMo's or somewhere close.Your absolutely right about the traffic. Still thinking about missing the first inning . What places have you been and do you recommend. I was checking out A 16 for the future.

[bbulkow]

Momo's is an above average but still pedestrian spot that thrives on location and a very nice patio.

The 4:30 time start is a real challenge. If you look on OpenTable, there are only a small handful of places I would recommend open at 4:30. If you eat closer, you have more choices. Besides those mentioned, the only worth talking about are Fog City Diner (has seen better times but pretty tasty), and maybe Waterfront Bar.

Barbacco appears to open at 5:00. There's a lot of places at 5:00.

OpenTable doesn't tell the whole story, though. One Market is open all afternoon, has bar menu through the afternoon to 5:30, and the main kitchen opens at 5:30.

One trick I've used is valet at a restaurant, taxi to the game, walk back to the valet. It's a 25 minute walk by google, which is on the far side.

"parking is included" - you'll be parking on the far side of the stadium from (most) food, and you'll be in pretty serious traffic at 6pm. The embarcadero is near a standstill on game days - it'll take you 30 minutes to get from a place like OneMarket to the ballpark, around the ballpark, and parked.

So --- it really just depends how much you want to have a relaxed and leisurely experience, and how much you want to spend cursing. MoMo's really does have the benefit of being right across the street.

Paragon opens at 5:00 and isnt' bad.Tres Agaves is also a short walk from the park. District is a wine bar, with good bar food (was there friday), open at 4pm, not really birthday quality though - nice room, just not really dinner.

Does anyone have anything good to say about Brickhouse? That's close and open all afternoon.

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Momo's
760 2nd St., San Francisco, CA 94107

Fog City Diner
1300 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111

One Market Restaurant
1 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

Brickhouse Cafe & Bar
426 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Barbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

[emglow101]

Great Info , Thanks.

[ML8000]

I used to work near the ball park and Brickhouse. It's okay for a nicer sit down work day lunch but not for dinner or a b-day dinner. It would be fine for a burger before/after the game.

I say check out Coco 500, new American/Cal Cuisine...open from lunch through dinner...call to confirm times. I haven't heard anything about it for quite awhile but it's 4 blocks to the ballpark, so you can park the car once.

[emglow101]

Now I am thinking not to make things more confusing .Check in the hotel @ 1:00.and my 2:00 late lunch options are? Casual sit down with comfortable atmosphere .Somewhere nice.

[susancinsf]

I thought about Coco500, but haven't eaten there in too long to comment. Agreed with bbulkow that parking included may not be a great deal, and I would park there early, walk to dinner, than back to the ball park if I chose to go that route. Still, parking included or not, I'd leave my car at the hotel. parking near the restaurant may also be a problem for some of the spots mentioned, unless they have valet.

I didn't realize One Market was open all afternoon, I do sort of like that idea IF they will serve you in the dining room. The bar area is small, noisy and the one time I was there at around 5 pm it was quite crowded and unpleasant. All that said, it could well exceed your budget if you don't order carefully. Food get mixed reports on these boards btw; some folks think it is pedestrian, though I've always enjoyed it (but haven't been there in at least four years).

Btw, if loud and crowded is a concern to you (since you asked that about Barbacco), do NOT go to MoMo's. It is an absolute ZOO before games. (because of its location). Not somewhere I'd go for a birthday. or anytime, actually. It is too crowded before and after games, and any other time there are too many other places I'd rather go, particularly if I were coming from out of town....

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One Market Restaurant
1 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

Coco500
598 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Barbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

[emglow101]

It;s the parking. I know. Take a cab from the hotel and have lunch around 1:30.This way were not so rushed . Great lunch ideas ?

[susancinsf]

NOW you're talking..lots of lunch options near your hotel or the ball park. I'd go to Perbacco for a late lunch given your parameters.

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Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

[emglow101]

That's a xclnt suggestion. Thanks!