Mother's Day Brunch near Pier 39?

[tiffany]

Our family is taking a cruise up the west coast with the mother in law and her sister. Our first port day stops in SF on Mother's Day and while I feel like it's kinda silly to be asking (b/c we go to the city for Tartine and Delfina whenever we go to SF), I just haven't had time to do my homework...

my husband wants us to be able to enjoy a nice mother's day brunch that's not too far from our port. I'm assuming it's near Pier 39, but I could be wrong... Pier 35? Anyway, the choices he sent me (thanks to Yelp) were Olea, Pat's Cafe, and Darren's Cafe... places I've never heard of. I guess we could just choose based on the yelp reviews and whether or not they'd even still have reservations available, but do any of you have recommendations for/against any one of these in particular or even other places in the vicinity? I guess he'd like to stay somewhat in the area and not have to cab it all the way across the city. We'd also like to be able to make a reservation and have a 2 year old and a 4 year old with us who can be well behaved if bribed with the appropriate things... and two seniors who really enjoy places like Ihop and Dennys... so I'm forever trying to make excuses to get myself out of going to these places with them.

I'd also like to try to stop at the Ferry building at some point to pick up some salted caramels from Recchuiti's, so maybe around that area would be okay as well? unless they're all kinda in the same area? Sorry, I'm geographically challenged. :(

We usually do this kind of research on our own but it's just been crazy and exhausting since we're trying to close escrow on our first home and are getting ready to go out of town all at the same time... here's where buyers remorse starts to creep in.

Thanks in advance chowhounds!!!

[Robert Lauriston]

One of the several cruise ships scheduled to be in SF on Mother's Day will be at Pier 30, which is a couple of miles south. Town's End and Delancy Street are popular brunch places near there.

http://sf-port.org/index.aspx?page=1801

[Ruth Lafler]

Island Princess Sun 13-May-12 7:00 AM Los Angeles Pier 30/32
Sea Princess Sun 13-May-12 7:00 AM Lahaina Pier 35 North
Star Princess Sun 13-May-12 7:00 AM Ensenada Pier 35 South

From what she said, it sounds like they might very well be on the Island Princess and thus at Pier 30. I think Robert is right about Delancy St./Towns End. The other places within an easy walk from there are either too casual or too expensive (given her statement that The Waterfront was too expensive).

[tiffany]

You're right... we'll be on the Island Princess. I'm kicking myself because Town's End sounds perfect... more to my liking (per food/ambiance) but they don't have *any* reservations available the entire day on Mother's Day. :( I'll try to call about that tomorrow and give Delancey Street Restaurant a try if nothing opens up.

Thank you R & R!!!

[tiffany]

Secured an early reservation at Town's End yesterday... fantastic! Thank you all & happy mother's day to all the mom's out there who's work is never appreciated enough!

[Ruth Lafler]

Excellent! I think your family will enjoy it, and Happy Mother's Day!

[tiffany]

Nice, thank you! Mama's doesn't take reservations (per Yelp) but I'll call them to check.. Fog City Diner looks like yum comfort food.. truffle fries sound so great! But my husband is such a yelp snob and turned his nose down at that suggestion when he saw that is has 3 and a half stars.. I shake my head (b/c mother's day is all about HIM! sheesh) Hillstone looks just like a renamed Houstons! Maybe if we decide to do a meal later in that day, that would totally fit the bill... they don't seem to have any breakfast/brunchy type foods. I like that Waterfront has their mother's day brunch menu online already... looks a bit pricey, but let's see if I can get a reservation. Thanks guys!!!

[bbulkow]

Tell your husband that Y*lp is a _very poor indicator_ . That site charges money to restaurants in order to bury bad reviews. On that side of town, consider Original Joe's - decent reviews.

[tiffany]

I know... we've read that article too.

Good news is... we have reservations at Fog City Diner. Waterfront looked a little overpriced to me.. but I guess b/c of location & ambiance too. His first pick, Olea, only takes reservations for dinner, so yay! Thanks everyone!

[bbulkow]

There's an article? I have a friend who works there.

I think you should send him to Taco Bell. My local TB is a 4.5 star:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/taco-bell-red...
so hand him a $5 and say you want your change back....

You'll have fun at FCD. They have a decent oyster menu there, which is very local SF.

[gbcolo]

Check out Butterfly or The Waterfront. Definitely make a reservation.

[pamf]

Either the Hillstone or Fog City Diner would be great choices, but you better get a reservation ASAP because you will be there on Mother's Day. They are very close to the cruise ship dock.

Two other places close by are Il Fornaio, they have a brunch menu. Pier
23 is kind of a dive bar, but they are open for brunch, and, if it's a nice day they have outdoor tables right on the water. The food is pretty basic.

The Ferry Building is a mile or so from your pier, along the Embarcadero, it's a pleasant walk, but maybe a bit far for the kids and seniors. The F Line streetcar runs right along the Embarcadero, so that is an option. There are also cabs and those bicycle cabs for a quick lift.

When traveling to an unfamiliar area, I use google maps to find the location and then use their "search nearby' feature to see where restaurants and other things are located.

Another navigation note. In SF, the odd-numbered piers are all north of the Ferry Building and even-numbered ones to the south. Therefore Pier 35 and Pier 34 are not next to each other, but actually quite a distance apart. That has tripped up me up in the past.

[tiffany]

Okay, Fog City Diner actually looks so good.. there's such a variety of food that I think could please everyone... now to see if I can convince my husband.

and thanks pamf for the note about the piers. That's good to know and might save us some time

[srr]

There is a Hillstone (used to be Houston's) right there. They would probably have something for everyone.

[ML8000]

Look at Mama's and Fog City Diner.