Restaurants

Cafe Madeleine San Francisco - Oh La La!

Haven’t we all had those days when we can’t decide what to eat? We are in an unfamiliar city or an area that we don’t normally spend much of our time, so we stand around and hope that we don’t just grab the first familiar fast food we see.

For anyone who has been in that predicament, you are in luck. Cafe Madeleine is a fabulous cafe and bakery in San Francisco with three locations in the heart of the city.

I’ve used to work across the street from one location, and to be honest, would have weeks where I would get the grilled sandwich for lunch every other day. One of my favorites is the Niman Ranch ham, cheddar cheese, sliced apples and honey mustard on ciabbata bread for $8. It is hot and tasty and oh la la good! Read More »

Feel Glamorous Lunch @ Armani Cafe

Do you have a group of friends that you like to meet up with for a little retail therapy?  I am part of this great group of girlfriends who like to meet regularly downtown.  Besides hitting the stores, we also use this time together to try out cafes and restaurants.

This time after we combed the sale racks at Banana Republic, Loehmann’s and H&M we decided to hit the Armani Cafe, just inside the Armani store on Grant Avenue in San Francisco.

We may live for sales but we also need to feel glamorous.  What better way to gaze at the gorgeous Giorgio Armani clothes without feeling the guilt of not buying them, then to grab a bite at his cafe.  We could have gone for the European feel and sat outside on the sidewalk but decided to up the style quotient and get a table overlooking the beautiful displays inside.

A few of us at the table were disappointed that it wasn’t 3:00 pm yet because the cafe has a happy hour with drink specials that include a $6 Cosmo or Martini.  I was excited to see my favorite summer food, a caprese salad (heirloom tomato, basil and fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese!) on the menu for $9 as well as fried calamari for $10. Read More »

Gold Dust Lounge @ Union Square

Do you love old westerns? Are you comfortable in somewhat seedy surroundings? If you answered “yes” to both, then you are in luck because situated on noisy Powell Street in Union Square, is the Gold Dust Lounge.

This old dive has been plying its customers with White Russians since the era of San Francisco ’s Barbary Coast days. If Laffing Sal or “Laughing Sal” was real, she would have been right at home in this place. Someone who probably did stop in was Sally Stanford, the famous local madam.

Built in the 1930’s, today the Gold Dust Lounge still has live music but now $3 champagne. You’ll love their happy hour or maybe just stop in for a drink some night after seeing a show at the American Conservatory Theater.

They take cash only, but considering how cheap the drinks are, I think this is a great place to experience true San Francisco color. Though I am partial to the Buena Vista for mine, I hear that their Irish Coffee is pretty good. If you are coming from out of town, all the Union Square hotels are close by and the Villa Florence is next door.

Bring the hand sanitizer and a full stomach, but if you have a taste for a creepy good time with your strong cocktail, the Gold Dust Lounge is the place for you.  Maybe the money you save on drinks will help pay for your hotel.

247 Powell Street
(between Geary and O’farrell Sts)
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 397-1695

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 »

Urban Tavern in SF

Urban Tavern is a gastropub next door to the Hilton Hotel in San Francisco, California.  A gastropub is a British term that has been described as the Anglo-equivalent of the French brasserie, like Midi or the Japanese izakaya, like Nihon, all are essentially breweries or bars that serve food.

Urban Tavern opened its doors last year and has been bringing people in from the hotel next door along with locals shopping downtown or with tickets to a theater performance nearby.

I met a girlfriend there recently before an afternoon performance at A.C.T. American Conservatory Theater. Good lunch spots downtown in Union Square are difficult to find if you don’t want a slice of pizza or a very expensive salad. Read More »

Kuleto's on Union Square in San Francisco

When we “play tourist” or have family visiting who really want to eat somewhere nice downtown in San Francisco, Kuleto’s is often our “go to” restaurant. The restaurant and its sister cafe are both located inside the Villa Florence, a very nice hotel in Union Square.

When you look around the immediate area, your restaurant choices are limited to bar food or super expensive restaurants, though I would be tempted to return to an old favorite, John’s Grill. At Kuleto’s their menu has so many great dishes, even my own picky mother found delicious risotto the evening we took her out.

Dining at Kuleto’s if it is the two of us, we love to sit at their long counter that faces the cooks. There is something about watching them cook for you that adds to the experience – and you are served pronto! We usually share one of their antipasti to start, like the Calamari Fritti alla Diavola or the Prosciutto di Parma con Carciofi. My husband swears by their Tagliata con rucola which is the hanger steak, and I often use my date night to eat exotic pasta like their Tortellini d’Anatra.

If you get a chance, arrive early for your dinner so you can have a glass of wine at their bar. It is an amazing 40-foot-long, intricately-carved Brunswick bar made in England, which was brought around Cape Horn aboard a clipper ship and survived the 1906 earthquake while installed at the Palace Hotel.

221 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 397-7720
www.kuletos.com

Sunday – Thursday 11:30am-10:30pm
Friday & Saturday 11:30am-11:00pm

Photo credit to my iPhone

Ireland Forever

I’m going to give up more secrets about the city of Saint Francis. Here are the names of the very best Irish Bars and Pubs to be found. This list includes the classics located all over town, not just in the Richmond or Inner Sunset neighborhoods where most of the Irish folk reside.

These are Irish bars and pubs that don’t just serve Guinness – they are bars without food, pubs with kitchens and bars that still allow smoking, a quite lively bunch indeed.

Whether you want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the massive crowds downtown or just enjoy a nice pub meal, you will find a place that is just your speed.

(Photo credit Seamus Murray)

The Plough and Stars – This is one of my favorite places to go for the great music – live and on the jukebox. Definitely an authentic Irish feel and a place to grab a pint or three on your way home.

116 Clement Street
(between 2nd Ave & 3rd Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 751-1122
www.theploughandstars.com

O’Keeffe’s Bar – This place is for people who don’t mind indoor smoking, want to hang out with Irish folk and enjoy good, cheap drinks. A wonderful group of people. Known as Annie’s to regulars this is a find for those of us who are too old for college hangouts, but want a nice dive bar to have a drink or two and listen to some fine Irish music.

598 5th Avenue
(at Balboa St)
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 751-1449

Irish Bank Block Party

The Pig & Whistle – I’ve been going to this place – known as the P & Wee in our circle – since they opened in 1991 and it is truly a gathering place as much as it is a bar or pub.

They have a professional darts board in the front and a pool table in the back. You’ll find the occasional Irish painting or moving crew eating some lunch here or grabbing a pint after work.

Their kitchen puts out good food, though sometimes it can be a bit on the “Stouffer’s Frozen Dinner” side when it comes to the Shepherd’s Pie, meaning it is not as fresh as some of their dishes. Both the fish and chips, and the bangers and mash are delicious every time.

They have a huge selection of draft beers which I appreciate because I love Boddington’s and that is hard to find sometimes. The P & Wee have a decently priced happy hour every day. They are also conveniently located across the street from the Landmark Bridge Theater, which is perfect for grabbing food before heading into the movies.

2801 Geary Blvd
(between Collins St & Wood St)
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 885-4779
www.pig-and-whistle.com

The Irish Bank – This is a favorite downtown lunch spot but also great when you want to grab a bite or drink after work. Located in a short alley off of Union Square, you will find a good crowd mixed in with some yummy pub food. Love their menu especially the fish and chips, the cheddar fries, and the Heinz Baked Beans served with their bangers (they use local San Francisco sausages).

Lots of outdoor seating on their patio, if you can stand the cold temperatures since you won’t get any sun if it’s out. They will have their first block party on Saturday March 14 after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, then again on Tuesday St. Patrick’s Day they will start their annual St. Patrick’s Day Block Party at 6:00am and go until midnight.

10 Mark Lane
(between Bush St & Harlan Pl)
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 788-7152
www.theirishbank.com

Harrington's before the crowds

Harrington’s Bar & Grill – A classic gathering place for the downtown workforce every St. Paddy’s Day. Harrington’s along with the other bars and restaurants in the immediate area close their block off to traffic and sponsor a huge block party for St. Patrick’s Day. This event can get wild but if you go early, you can enjoy some great food first at Harrington’s. Their pub menu includes some delicious salads and one of my favorite burgers!

245 Front Street
(between California St & Halleck St)
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 392-7595

(Harrington photo credit to Rebecca Kristeen)

(Irish Bank photo credit Dan Harrelson)

No passport needed for this French cafe

In the heart of Union Square, just outside the Chinatown Dragon Gate on Bush Street, is Café de la Presse. This hip little spot has been on this vibrant corner for years and has only gotten better with age.

When you walk into the front door you can almost feel the ebb and flow of the conversations taking place all around you. This is the kind of breakfast, lunch or even dinner spot you will to go to when you want that international vibe.

If you like to people watch, they are next door to the Hotel Triton where many famous folk like to hide out.

The front of this cafe has always catered to those looking for an international newspaper Le Figaro or maybe an Italian Vogue magazine along with their espresso and croissant.

I love coming here (with my beret) for a coffee whenever I want to reminisce of my college days as an exchange student – or when I want some of the best country style pate and soupe à l’oignon (onion soup) in town!

Literary Fare at Cafe de la Presse

They have a vibrant international lunch crowd so call for a reservation unless you have time to wait. There is little street parking but the Sutter-Stockton Garage is just up the block and one of the cheapest in town.

And if you need an extra push to try this hip place, consider stopping by for dinner from Jan 15-31 when Dine About Town returns.

352 Grant Avenue
(between Harlan Pl & Sutter St)
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 398-2680

Mon-Thu. 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fri. 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sat. 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

1950s Theme Diner

Lori’s Diner is a popular Rock & Roll themed diner that has been in San Francisco for more than 20 years. Their first location was a hit because if you were in Union Square shopping and wanted to grab a burger with a chocolate shake, you could not find a single place – and they were one of the only clean yet cheap places open late at night downtown.

Once Lori’s Diner became well known with locals and travelers alike, people really enjoyed the classic décor, the delicious food and all of the memorabilia they stocked each location with.

If you stop into their 500 Sutter Street store you will experience the nostalgic frills of the other locations but you can also check out a real 1943 Allstate motorcycle, a 1959 Ford Edsel, and a huge collection of vintage radios.

The Powell Street location is the largest and probably the best one to go to if you have kids along. You will need to walk up some stairs but here you will find a pre-war airplane, a Chevy Bel Air, a Chrysler, a vintage Indian motorcycle, and a pinball arcade.

Grilled Cheese and Fries

Lori's Powell Street

They have a great menu for kids and they serve breakfast all day at some locations. If you are a night owl or find yourself downtown after a show – you will find a Lori’s Diner to satisfy those late night hunger pains.

The Mason Street store is the only one still open 24 hours a day, but the Sutter Street store is open on Friday and Saturdays until 3:00am.

And if you are flying out of San Francisco International Airport, don’t forget that Lori’s has opened there in both domestic terminals and you can grab a bite anytime!

Lori’s Diner at Mason
336 Mason St, SF, CA 94102
(415) 392-8646
Hours: Open 24 hours

Lori’s Diner at Sutter
500 Sutter St, SF, CA 94102
(415) 981-1950
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 6:30-11:00pm, Fri & Sat 6:30-3:00am

Lori’s Diner at Ghirardelli Square
900 North Point St, SF, CA 94128
(415) 409-1950
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 8am-10pm.

Lori’s Diner at Powell
149 Powell St, SF, CA 94102
(415) 677-9999
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 7:00-10:00pm, Friday & Saturday 7:00-11:00pm

Lori’s Diner at SFO, Domestic Terminal 1 and 3
(650) 821-0500
Hours: Open 24 hours

New Delhi Restaurant, San Francisco

Do you find yourself downtown in the evening and needing a nice place for dinner that won’t break your wallet? Looking for a great restaurant experience with good value while holiday shopping in San Francisco?

If you like the rich curries and exotic spices of Indian food, then you are in for a treat. Located in the heart of Union Square, when you walk in the door of New Delhi Restaurant you are enveloped within the warmth and old world spices of India.

From the hustle of Ellis Street, as you enter you’ll see a dark mahogany bar, often full of tourists and downtown workers alike, with a bartender ready to pour you the most delicious fresh mango martini or other house specialty. This is a place that feels like fine dining, having hosted many famous local and international guests, but if you’re wearing jeans you won’t feel out of place.

Exotic spices of India

Come with an appetite or a large group so that you can taste many dishes including the tandoori chicken, the korma, or saag gosht, with tender pieces of lamb and spinach. If you are vegetarian or you have one in your group, there are still lots of amazing dishes on the menu to choose from.

One of my favorites is the baigan masala, eggplant cooked with mild spices. And every meal needs one or two of the naan breads, especially their kabuli naan. Yum! Its sweetness goes perfectly with the spicy curries dishes.

This is a wonderfully exotic choice for lunch or dinner. And if you find yourself ordering more than you can eat, they are always happy to wrap your leftovers for you to take home. Given their incredible selection of savory choices, it has happened to me a few times.

And remember that if you just need a cozy place for a night cap after the theater, their beautiful bar is open late.

photo credit to plastic bystander, warriorgrrl