Suggestions for first visit to SF

[savoriesnsweets]

Hi all,
My husband and I are going to be in SF soon and I was looking for any good restaurant recommendations in the area. We'll be staying at the Wyndham. He has a conference there and I'll be on my own most days but we'll be together for the evenings. Ideally, anything in the hotel area would be great, but I'd be willing to use public transportation to get around. Also, any great bakery recommendations would be great!
Thanks!

[Pei]

If you're willing to travel for a GREAT bakery, head down to Tartine in the Mission/Noe Valley.

If you just need a good bakery and find yourself in the Union Square area (very likely, as it's the shopping/transportation hub), Boulangerie on Sutter or Boulangerie on Market is very nice for savory and sweet items. Boulangerie (aka Bay Breads) is a small SF chain with French style baked goods.

I used to work down around there and liked going to Chaat Cafe for a light lunch. Nothing fancy, just good Indian food and really tasty papri chaat (a yogurt-based dish with garbanzo beans, diced cooked potaties, tamarind sauce, deep fried crispy dough, etc. all piled into a bowl)

AQ is getting great reviews on this board; I plan to head there myself next week.

Barbacco or Perbacco next door to Tadich are also both excellent choices for solos or pairs.

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Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Bay Bread
2325 Pine St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Barbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

[mamachef]

Tadich Grill, for Old San Fransisco vibe and great great food, especially the fresh local seafood. Green's at Ft. Mason for some of the nicest vegetarian food you'll ever eat. Tartine for bakery, although you want might to check out some of the Italian bakeries up by Broadway and Colombus. Sears' Fine Foods for great breakfast, esp. the dollar-sized pancakes and their fruit bowls. Zuni Cafe for just good food and vibe, and an iconic roasted chicken served over a panzanella salad w/ currants. Graze your way through the Ferry building mktplace. Consider braving the Mission district for fabulous Mexican: burritos, carnitas and the like.
I'll leave the high end to to others.

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Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Tadich Grill
240 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

[mariacarmen]

mc, what do you love at Tadich? I've never liked anything I've tried there, except the bread....and the ambiance.

and don't you be talking about my nabe like that! most parts of the mission are totally fine. you did mention burritos, tacos, etc., - but there are also great higher end restos (which i know you said you'd leave to others): Range, Bar Tartine, Limon, Maverick, Limon Rotisserie, Nombe, Foreign Cinema, Spork, Delfina, Pizzeria Delfina...

I second the recommendation for the Ferry Building Farmers' Mkt.

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

Spork
1058 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110

Bar Tartine
561 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Limon Restaurant
524 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Limon Rotisserie
1001 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

Pizzeria Delfina
2406 California St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Nombe
2491 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

[Civil Bear]

>>"...what do you love at Tadich?"

Mesquite grilled halibut steak. Simply the best I have had anywhere. Love the rub they put on their grilled fish.

[steve h.]

Freshly shucked oysters and a martini, at the counter. It's a late (very late) lunch thing for me. I like the place but timing is key. Your waiter at the counter is your pathfinder to what's good that day. It helps if they recognize you.

[mariacarmen]

it must be true about the timing, because i had oysters and they were raggedy and mushy - not good at all. same trip, hangtown fry - dry and rubbery. the cioppino had good flavor (great for dunking that sourdough bread) but the seafood was overcooked.

i haven't tried their grilled fish. maybe that's the ticket.

[ML8000]

Taqueria Cancun has a branch at 6th and Market (about a block from the hotel) so you don't have to trek to the Mission although you obviously have many more choices and things to do. It's hole-in-the-wall-ish, I'd get the al pastor burrito or the quesadilla suiza.