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 »

Kosher Goodness @ David's Delicatessen in SF

Touring around Union Square like a tourist is a favorite pastime of mine. I try to do this regularly for a nice review of what is happening in my lovely city, and to take trips down memory lane. My family has been a part of the city for generations and I am the current standard bearer.

One place special for me to walk past, and sometimes eat at, is David’s Delicatessen on the border of the Tenderloin, Nob Hill and the Theater District of San Francisco. It is across the street from the Clift Hotel, so you will see many locals and visitors alike at the deli’s famous counter. Read More »

Double Play Scores in SF!

Double Play Bar & Grill is one of the coolest old school bars and restaurants in San Francisco.  From 1931 through 1957 people would stop by to grab food on their way to or from seeing a baseball game at the Seals Stadium.

The San Francisco Seals were a great Minor League Baseball team that played in the Pacific Coast League.  The stadium was across the street where you now see the huge Safeway shopping center.

After more than 100 years this sports bar is still serving great burgers, homemade spaghetti on Tuesdays and fresh fish on the border between the Mission District and Potrero Hill in San Francisco.

This landmark is on the busy corner of 16th Street and Bryant Street, but you’ll find their free parking lot entrance on 16th Street.  Besides the food, the huge bar and event space, you will love the wall-to-wall baseball memorabilia.  Read More »

View from Sutro

In San Francisco we are fortunate to have many fine dining choices that include spectacular views of the bay and our landmark bridges. Last month I gave a  suggestion for ocean and park view dining near the end of the Golden Gate Park.

Recently I returned to the Cliff House for a mini-celebration lunch and to take part in Dine About Town. Though the weather was very stormy, we had a wonderful window seat at Sutro’s, the upscale restaurant in the lower portion of the Cliff House. Sutro’s is a restaurant run by Chefs George Morrone, Brian O’Connor and their team.

If you are lucky enough to go out to the occasional business lunch or dinner, you will certainly recognize the name of Chef Morrone, due to his earlier fame at Aqua, a wonderful restaurant in the Financial District.

Famous Ahi Tuna Tartare

Chef Morrone created his signature Ahi Tuna Tartare at Aqua – and lucky for me – he serves this appetizer at Sutro’s.  It was as spicy and delicious as I remember! He uses pine nuts, asian pears, habanero infused sesame oil, mint and a quail egg with the Ahi. Fabulous.

The Cliff House has a few dining options within its historic walls and Sutro’s is definitely one of the nicest for a special occasion. They have the amazing team in the kitchen, attentive wait staff, a killer view and lots of parking out front. Those are perfect ingredients for a wonderful lunch and that is what we had.

Steak Frites

Unfortunately I discovered belatedly that Sutro’s does not participate in Dine About Town on Fridays and Saturdays. We did not get to try their special menu but we still had a great meal, including one of the most mouth watering steak frites.

The truffled fries, the red wine onion compote along with the bordelaise sent my husband over the moon and back. I had a wonderful fresh and locally caught rock cod fish that was served with cucumber & fennel salad.

We watched while others ate the other highly recommend seared day boat scallops – I would definitely get those next time.

Old Sutro Baths

This special occasion restaurant is a wonderful choice for first time visitors to San Francisco. The Cliff House and its history is pure San Francisco and not to missed. If you are early for your reservations, take time to enjoy the stunning views of both the brave surfers and walk down the stairs to the Camera Obscura below.

After all of the tasty food and dessert, if you need a little help with your digestion, the green (and newly restored) trails close by are a great way to see the old Sutro Baths footprint and the more unusual views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sutro’s
1090 Point Lobos,
San Francisco, CA 94121
415-386-3330

Lunch weekdays from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Dinner weekdays from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday 11:30 am to 9:30 pm