Restaurants

San Francisco Landmark Tadich Grill

Another “must see and eat at” for any San Francisco visitors or new residents, is Tadich Grill in the Financial District.  I read somewhere that Tadich was referred to once as, “It’s kind of like the Peter Luger’s of Seafood”. Having eaten at both The Palm Restaurant on Second Avenue in New York and Peter Luger in Brooklyn, I have to agree.

When you dine at Tadich Grill be prepared to be served large portions by sometimes grumpy but always no-nonsense waiters. This is not your trendy super-friendly chain restaurant, this is a piece of San Francisco history that has survived a hundred trends. If you close your eyes, the atmosphere is a little Nick and Nora in The Thin Man, especially if you hear a cable car clang its bell on the up/down California Street outside the restaurant.

Now for lunch but especially for dinner, you have got to try the Cioppino, white bib around your neck and all. Read More »

Best Burgers at Royal Exchange in San Francisco

Remember the movie Swingers, with a young and lanky Vince Vaughn? Remember how he used the phrase “you’re so money!”, whenever he complimented his friend Jon Favreau or just tried to boost his ego? In the 1990’s this phrase became the hippest way to tell your friend that they were cool or make them feel important.

Now think about the locations where you might find these guys hanging out. In downtown San Francisco, you would find them very likely at the Royal Exchange sitting in a booth after work smoking.

The Royal Exchange in the 1990s was  one of my favorite place for after work drinks. Lots of cute guys from the investment firms would start showing up at 2:00 after the stock market closed.  And though the prices are higher today, their happy hour is still a fun spot that I recommend to my single friends and to visitors staying at Le Méridien Hotel.

Though I am not in the area as often as I used to be, I still like to stop here for lunch whenever I can. Read More »

Crusty Sourdough & Fresh Oysters!

San Francisco has few restaurants left that illustrate the city’s rich history like this restaurant in the financial district. Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant now permanently anchored at the edge of Bush Street and Belden Place, began in 1867 as a simple seafood stall run by an Irishman, named Michael Molan Moraghan.

The fresh fish and shellfish supplied by Mr. Moraghan went to all the best restaurants and hotels in San Francisco. He became very successful and even flourished after the famous 1906 earthquake and fire.

In 1922 his company was called the Burlingame Oyster Co. which he sold to Sam Zenovitch. By 1931, after several tries, the name “Sam’s Seafood Grotto” stuck.

The business moved to a few locations but always stayed near what is now the Bank of America building on California Street, and home to the Carnelian Room. After Sam Zenovich passed away in 1936, and the restaurant was bought by Frank Seput, who gave the name, “Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant.” The restaurant has been at its current location since 1946. Read More »

Midday Chic Lunches

Finding new and exciting lunch spots downtown can be difficult in San Francisco. Restaurants and cafes open and close regularly.

Recently I celebrated birthdays with a couple of girlfriends at a new restaurant called Midi, which had just opened up next door to the Galleria Park Hotel – in the Financial District and next to the Crocker Galleria shopping center.

This restaurant space was occupied for years by Perry’s San Francisco, a casual lunch spot for city workers and for after-work drinks. Last November, Perry’s moved on to a new location on the Embarcadero in the Hotel Griffon.

This cool downtown spot that Midi resides in, is now completely redesigned, refreshed and nothing like its former resident. Chef Michelle Mah has created a tasty menu with a series of dishes that fit perfectly within the relaxed brasserie atmosphere.

You will find French inspired dishes as well as classics like pomme frites, many perfect choices for a birthday lunch, a business lunch and or even a power lunch. The menu changes regularly but if you get a chance try one of the many sandwiches. I’m definitely going to try the grass-fed beef burger next time!

During our visit we all had the fixed price “midi quartet” and loved each dish. It included a nice asparagus salad, duck confit soup, grilled chicken with a country mustard glaze and a lemon tart. It doesn’t look like much but we were full afterward.

The only complaint was that each of the four square plates got in the way once the food was eaten. Do you stack the empty plate or just keep turning the tray as you eat?

Midi Quartet of Plates

We loved that we were served quickly and the waitress was earnest in her desire to please us. All-in-all the food was delicious and we would return for an early lunch – because the noise level did increase noticeably as the lunch crowd increased.

185 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 835-6400
www.midisanfrancisco.com

Mon-Wed. 11:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Thu-Fri. 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Sat. 5:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.