Restaurant near Kezar stadium

[kristywilce]

Can anyone suggest a good restaurant near Kezar stadium that is open on weekends for lunch? Adults and teens (17/18) and all are "foodies".

Preferably french, mediterranean or american cuisine

[boris_qd]

While Alembic is a bar known for their cocktails it has pretty decent food as well. I don't think there will be a problem with teens if you sit at a table but aren't sure.

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Alembic
1725 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

[chuckl]

Alembic is a good choice, and I don't think there would be a problem bringing kids. You might also consider chachacha, which is kind of fun, but more along the lines of caribbean

[hannah]

Zazie in cole valley can be nice on weekends.

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Zazie
941 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117

[Spenbald]

Just be aware that Zazie does a brunch on weekends and they don't accept reservations for it. The Wooly Pig Cafe on Hugo at 3rd Ave is not so much a sit down place (though there are tables), but they have some fantastic sandwiches.

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Zazie
941 Cole St, San Francisco, CA 94117

[ML8000]

Across the street is Kezar Pub and Restaurant, decent standard American pub food.

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

[originalfig]

I think you characterization of it as "decent standard American pub food" is right. However I humbly submit that it is probably not a good restaurant for foodies.

Wings, nachos, burgers, fried food, etc. Bleh.

But - the night the Giants won the Series it was the perfect place to celebrate! I happily scarfed my nachos, all the better to soak up the celebratory beer. :)

[sugartoof]

That's misleading. There was a point where Kezar was better than pub food...chips, buns, fries, etc. all made in house daily. The specials were above and beyond the bar food you described, and very fit for the "foodie" population. Yes they serve Nachos, but they also serve Fig salads.

Unfortunately, when the owner isn't around, the place gets mediocre, and cut corners even with the pub type items. I just had soggy fish and chips there for example. Hard to recommend now.

[originalfig]

Hi - Maybe you are referring to the Kezar Bar & Grill at Cole & Carl? I find the food much better there, and more like what you're describing (ie gastropub vs. pub)-- homemade pastas, interesting specials, etc. The one on Stanyan, to the best of my knowledge, sticks pretty closely to pub fare as described (menu here http://www.thekezarpub.com/menu).

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

[Windy]

Yes, I had the same thought. Glad to hear Kezar Bar and Grill is still good. It's been a while since I ate there.

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

[sugartoof]

Oh, you're right. I couldn't imagine anyone was suggesting the other Kezar, I guess and got confused.

The one at Carl and Cole is normally a hidden gem, though my last meal there was beyond bad.

[Fig Newton]

I'm a huge fan of Magnolia Pub these days, especially for weekend brunch and lunch. I've sent several groups there lately (kids/adults/food-adventurous/food-conservative) and everyone seems to love it.

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

[Dustin_E]

san tung is chinese (perhaps korean-influenced chinese?), but is one of my favorites.

[wolfe]

San Tung Chinese Restaurant
1031 Irving St

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San Tung Chinese Restaurant
1031 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

[chocolatetartguy]

San Tung is your best bet. It is barely a mile west of Kezar. A few months ago I was attending events at the late Red Vic Theater and I found nowhere in the Upper Haight to eat. One day I ended up eating at Saigon Sandwich in the Tloin on my way to Mr. Kayo's bookstore.

That said, when riding the N Judah I have noticed Burgermeister and another burger type joint up on Cole? a few blocks above Haight.

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Saigon Sandwich Shop
560 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102

[originalfig]

I live down the street and face this question constantly. I think the recs for Zazie and Magnolia are right on the money.

Re Zazie, we usually put our name on the list then go for a little walk in the neighborhood rather than hang out on the sidewalk the whole time. There is a lovely garden out back that's worth waiting for and the brunch is very good. (get the Zazie spritzer, simple & good.) If you have more people sometimes you don't have to wait as long for a table - it's the 2-tops that are in the most demand.

Re Magnolia, sometimes I find the brunch there to be trying too hard - for brunch I find I generally want to be satisfied more than challenged, e.g. I'd rather just have really good Eggs Benedict instead of their Duck Benedict, for example. But it's a nice bright room & the food is up to snuff.

At Alembic, I was not aware they were doing a separate brunch menu?? Their lunch menu is super limited (as is their dinner menu) and if it's the same on weekends you can see it here: http://www.alembicbar.com/nibbles.pdf . For me it's a bit dark of a space to have brunch on a sunny day.

You could also walk 10 minutes to Park Chow-- about the same walk as to Magnolia but in the other direction. Food is solid and brunch is a starring meal there. Great rooftop patio and you will absolutely find something on the menu for everyone.

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Park Chow
1238 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

[boris_qd]

I think the request is for lunch.

If you think of the nibbles menu as a bunch of things that you can order and share with multiple people (like tapas) it can get pretty substantial. I think Alembic is better and more interesting then a place like Park Chow (not that I don't also like Park Chow but it's much more standard californian/american vs. more modern californian cuisine).

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Park Chow
1238 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

[originalfig]

I totally agree that Alembic is more interesting. I don't know why I got brunch into my head. I think b/c I myself never go out for lunch on weekends, only brunch. Good points.

[chuckl]

I like both park chow and alembic, but for different reasons. Park chow is co,fort food in a nice family style atmosphere, with house made soups and a very tasty lamb burger. Alembic is more of a culinary adventure. They make up some very interesting combinations and i am frequently surprised and delighted there. If youre looking for reliable comfort food, go to park chow, if youre feeling more adventurous, try alembic. Magnolia is also a good recommendation and its owned by the same folks that own alembic.

[TechGamer]

Kezar Pub would be the closest. Try the chicken wings.

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