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San Francisco: New, Best, Different?!!?


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Going way back to 1969, we have visited wonderful and charming San Francisco many, many times. BUT, it has been about 15-16 years since being there. Been too busy doing lots in Europe, plus Australia/NZ, Africa, Amazon River, etc.

 

Am looking to do a Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco cruise through the Panama Canal in late February-early March 2017. This would be our first time for visiting Columbia, Panama Canal, Central America, Mexico, etc.

 

Any special secrets, ideas, suggestions, experiences, etc., to share as to what is best, new and interesting to feed our loves in history, culture, food, photography and sampling the people and character of San Francisco?? Just doing the usual tourist stops/shopping is not our priority as we have done many or most of those in the past while in SF.

 

Any new must-see? Worth it to take that time and effort? We will have a couple days there in San Francisco before flying back home. For a hotel, we are looking to stay in the area near Union Square. Without going crazy on overly-trendy places, what are the best dining stars these days?

 

Looking forward to the smart sharing of any good, unique ideas, tips and secrets. And, love to read any and all key photo tips for the Twenty-First Century in this great town!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

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mmm, 1969 :eek:

 

Well for fine eats, don't think you can miss with this list, even though nobody in SF won this year :mad:: http://sf.eater.com/2016/2/17/11032678/james-beard-foundation-awards-semifinalists-san-francisco-2016

 

The Asian Art Museum that used to be in Golden Gate Park at the De Young Museum relocated to the City Hall area in it's own building (the old main library).

 

The SF Museum of Modern Art is a few long, but walk-able, blocks from Union Square at 151 3rd Street.

 

Beach Blanket Babylon in North Beach is still a favorite https://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/

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I am a fan of Eater SF as well and Thrillist SF

 

The "Essential 38" and "Where to eat now" are my two favorite sections of Eater SF

 

http://sf.eater.com/maps/best-san-francisco-restaurants-38

http://sf.eater.com/maps/best-new-san-francisco-restaurants-heatmap-oakland-berkeley

 

Thrillist SF has a lot of great breakdowns as well, one of my favorites is by neighborhood.

 

https://www.thrillist.com/san-francisco

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/san-francisco/best-neighborhoods-sf-san-francisco-california-dining-out-eating-food

 

I am in SF every few weeks and I always try to get in one meal at Tadich Grill. My grandkids are the 5th generation in our family to eat here.

 

http://www.tadichgrill.com/

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I am in SF every few weeks and I always try to get in one meal at Tadich Grill. My grandkids are the 5th generation in our family to eat here.

 

http://www.tadichgrill.com/

 

Tadich Grill is a favorite of mine as well. I love that place.

 

The Ferry Building is also a must stop, in my opinion.

 

http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/

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This requires a car or Uber, but Filoli is a mansion south of San Francisco in Woodside. Right up there with English mansions and amazing gardens to tour. It's the site of many movies too. You can google it and find out all about it. And I always recommend the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose too, if you have that car. Google that too. Be sure and see Beach Blanket Babylon in San Francisco for a lot of laughs.

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Appreciate all of these great ideas and suggestions for consideration to do in San Francisco. Keep sharing and posting these many options/potentials.

 

Had heard the name of Tadich Grill. Did a little more research and even Wikipedia does a profile on them noting that it is a seafood restaurant located in the Financial District. They say "It is the oldest continuously running restaurant in San Francisco, having opened in 1849 as a coffee stand. In the 1920s, the Tadich Grill claimed to be the first American restaurant to grill seafood over mesquite charcoal, a traditional Croat method."

 

Sounds very interesting. Love that kind of history.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

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Another place to eat is Le Central

 

http://www.lecentralbistro.com/

 

It's a noted place where some of the City's wheeler n' dealers dine.

 

Back in day our former State Assembly Speaker and Mayor Willie (the FBI ain't got a thing) Brown and local columnist Herb Caen would "talk", in the front window no less at least once a week :cool:

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Another oldie, this place has more than nine lives. The hotel keeps wanting to close it, but it just comes back: The Tonga Room in the Fairmont Hotel at the top of Nob Hill.

 

http://www.tongaroom.com/

 

It's been called one of the best "tiki" dive bars in the city, if not the only one; you diffidently don't go for the food or even the drinks:p

 

Afterwards, head across the street to the "Top of the Mark" for a drink and some of the best views of the City.

 

http://www.intercontinentalmarkhopkins.com/top-of-the-mark.aspx

 

From Wiki, "During World War II, when San Francisco was a major transit point for troops going to the Pacific Theater, servicemen traditionally had a farewell drink before shipping out while watching the sun set over the Golden Gate Bridge. The northwest corner was known as "Weeper's Corner" after the wives and girlfriends who would gather there for their final look at departing ships."

 

"A new tradition was established during the Korean War, when squadron members would sponsor a "squadron bottle" to be kept available at the bar. Each member would sign and date the label after claiming a free drink, and the man who took the last drink would keep the signed bottle and purchase a new bottle. By the end of the Korean War, thirty-two squadron bottles were in use."

 

Both of these places are a cable car ride up the hill from Union Square, "To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars..."

:)

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When folks come to town, we do a walking tour, starting with lunch on Belden Alley (about a dozen of restos to choose from) in the Financial District (5 minutes from Union Sq.), then walk on Grant Street through the unique Chinatown, up hill on Grant to Coit Tower on the top of Telegraph Hill to see the WPA murals in the Tower, then walk down the Filbert Steps to Levi Plaza and the waterfront.

 

All the hipsters are in the Mission and generally along Valencia Street, which can be reached by Muni or BART to the 24th St. or 16th St. stations. Valencia is lined with tons of cool coffee houses and hip restaurants. Take your pick.

 

European shoppers are flocking to Hayes Valley (Hayes and Gough is the center), behind City Hall, also home to lots of very high-end restos.

 

Walk along the waterfront from the exquisite Ferry Bldg. south to the Giants stadium. Great views, cafes to stop at.

 

Someone mentioned the Asian Art Museum in the converted library building in Civic Center. A gem.

 

Take in a show at the Jazz Center, also in Hayes Valley.

 

I guess I could go on and on... and also form your own opinion about the way the city is rapidly changing. Full of young people earning huge wages in the tech industry. Population growing rapidly, tons of new high rises. San Francisco has become a true city, for better or for worse. See what you think.

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The House (my favorite restaurant in the City)

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-house-san-francisco

 

PPQ Dungeness Island for Crab

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ppq-dungeness-island-san-francisco-2

 

If you have not had In-N-Out, then go to the one near Fisherman's Wharf.

 

I'll second the Ferry Building - do try Hog Island Oyster Co.

 

https://www.yelp.com/biz/hog-island-oyster-co-san-francisco

 

I'll second the Top of the Mark. It's a great place for drinks or dessert. They used to have live jazz weekend evenings, but I haven't been in years so I'm not sure if they still do it. Great views.

 

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and check out Muir Woods.

 

Check out the new Exploratorium, which is also near the Ferry Building.

 

House of Prime Rib is a San Francisco classic, but I prefer Lawry's (in Vegas or Beverly Hills).

 

If you go to Tadich Grill, get the seafood cioppino.

 

Ice cream at Mitchell's:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/mitchells-ice-cream-san-francisco

 

Gelato at Marco Polo's (get the lychee or mocha chip; it's amazing):

https://www.yelp.com/biz/marco-polo-italian-ice-cream-san-francisco

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If you like Oysters, definitely Hog Island at the Ferry Building. I could sit there all day and just munch on their wonderful fresh shucked oysters!

The Tonga Room brought back some good memories for me. Freshman year in college - went up to SF/Stanford for the weekend with friends. We went to the Tonga Room for dinner. So cheesy even back in the 70s! The little barge that the band was on that went up and back in the "lagoon" was too fun. It is where I fell in love with Cha Siu Bao - those heavenly steamed buns filled with chinese bbq pork. My mother had told me about the place - she and some girlfriends did a vacation to California back in the early 1950s and this was a place they went to!!!

If you want some more quintessential San Francisco Chinese, find a dim sum room! Carts filled with different Chinese little bites are pushed around the room. The carts stop at each table and you are told what they have. Take or not. They will either mark a tab with a stamp or, I've also been to place where different things are on different plates and they are counted up at the end for your tab. Maybe someone here can point you to to a good one (I haven't been in years) - I used to go to Yank Sing, but I heard it has gotten overpriced and quality has gone down.

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If you want some more quintessential San Francisco Chinese, find a dim sum room! Carts filled with different Chinese little bites are pushed around the room. The carts stop at each table and you are told what they have. Take or not. They will either mark a tab with a stamp or, I've also been to place where different things are on different plates and they are counted up at the end for your tab. Maybe someone here can point you to to a good one (I haven't been in years) - I used to go to Yank Sing, but I heard it has gotten overpriced and quality has gone down.

 

Unfortunately most of the "better" Chinese restaurants are outside of Chinatown :(

 

In Chinatown the only place for Chinese is R & G Lounge on Kearny St.

Upstairs is white table cloth service, downstairs...you're eating in the basement ;) Same food. http://rnglounge.com/

 

Outside of Chinatown, but still in the City is Hong Kong Lounge II at Geary & Parker. Make sure you go to "II". Key landmark is that there is one of the original Mel's Diners ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel%27s_Drive-In ) across the street. http://www.hongkonglounge2.com/ Easy to get to from Union Sq by bus: 38 Geary outbound and the return 38 Geary inbound.

 

Mel's Diner: This place used to have the drive up service where the "gals" come out to you car, take your order, and bring back your food. The food tray is clipped onto your car window. Whenever I got good final grades, my Dad would take me here and get me a shake and burger. I even sat in the front seat with no seat belts, car didn't have any :rolleyes:

 

Yank Sing: A new generation is in charge and they've moved to the new financial/tech district in the South of Market area. IMO it's for the "expense account" diners now.

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Appreciate this continued excellent sharing. Before we depart, I will pull together all of these notes, suggestions, tips, etc., and share with our travel group. Very interesting and helpful.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

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Dim Sum (yes, I'm both Chinese American and a San Francisco native so I'm picky):

 

Don't go to Yank Sing. If you want to be closer to the financial district/Chinatown:

 

City View Restaurant

https://www.yelp.com/biz/city-view-restaurant-san-francisco

 

Out towards the Richmond District, you can go to either:

 

(1) Hong Kong Lounge (yes, you can go to II, but I actually prefer the original at 18th and Geary):

 

https://www.yelp.com/biz/hong-kong-lounge-san-francisco

 

 

(2) Dragon Beaux (at 21st & Geary)

https://www.yelp.com/biz/dragon-beaux-san-francisco

 

There is also good dim sum outside the City.

 

Koi Palace in Daly City:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/koi-palace-daly-city

 

R&G Lounge is a classic Chinatown restaurant, but I've never had dim sum there for lunch. I used to eat downstairs in the basement weekly for lunch, as they have great lunch specials (the sizzling beef with egg rice is awesome). If you go to R&G for dinner, get the crab in two different styles...

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Dim Sum (yes, I'm both Chinese American and a San Francisco native so I'm picky):

 

Don't go to Yank Sing. If you want to be closer to the financial district/Chinatown:

 

City View Restaurant

https://www.yelp.com/biz/city-view-restaurant-san-francisco

 

Out towards the Richmond District, you can go to either:

 

(1) Hong Kong Lounge (yes, you can go to II, but I actually prefer the original at 18th and Geary):

 

https://www.yelp.com/biz/hong-kong-lounge-san-francisco

 

 

(2) Dragon Beaux (at 21st & Geary)

https://www.yelp.com/biz/dragon-beaux-san-francisco

 

There is also good dim sum outside the City.

 

Koi Palace in Daly City:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/koi-palace-daly-city

 

R&G Lounge is a classic Chinatown restaurant, but I've never had dim sum there for lunch. I used to eat downstairs in the basement weekly for lunch, as they have great lunch specials (the sizzling beef with egg rice is awesome). If you go to R&G for dinner, get the crab in two different styles...

 

Thank you for the Chinese options. If I remember, there was also some big place on Millbrae up the hill from the Westin - am I wrong? Yeah, I knew Yank Sing has become expensive - but it was the only one that I remembered. Well, I remember a place down in East Palo Alto, Mings; it was a go-to place for department lunches (my group was mostly Chinese engineers on visas plus 3 of us native-borns...). But, it's closed now.

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Thank you for the Chinese options. If I remember, there was also some big place on Millbrae up the hill from the Westin - am I wrong? Yeah, I knew Yank Sing has become expensive - but it was the only one that I remembered. Well, I remember a place down in East Palo Alto, Mings; it was a go-to place for department lunches (my group was mostly Chinese engineers on visas plus 3 of us native-borns...). But, it's closed now.

 

In Millbrae (yes, just up from the Westin near the airport), is Hong Kong Flower Lounge:

 

https://www.yelp.com/biz/hong-kong-flower-lounge-millbrae-2

 

You could also go to Zen Peninsula, which is also good:

 

https://www.yelp.com/biz/zen-peninsula-millbrae

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Appreciate these continued good suggestions and ideas. The Asian options are nice, but that might not be our personal top favorite. Italian probably wins that "award" from us. What is best and super special in Italian for San Francisco.

 

From several decades back, I remember having dinner in an old-style, central location that had its open-cooking being done within view of where we were seated. Don't remember its name and/or if they are still in business. Anyone remember this place? Or, have key Italian dining suggestions and loves in San Francisco?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

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Your probably thinking about one of the Joe's restaurants...Little Joe's or Original Joe's. Little is gone, Original is still around. There's also Original U.S. Restaurant on Columbus Ave in North Beach.

 

Sorry I can't provide links right now. Church service is starting ;)

 

 

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Your probably thinking about one of the Joe's restaurants...Little Joe's or Original Joe's. Little is gone, Original is still around. There's also Original U.S. Restaurant on Columbus Ave in North Beach. Sorry I can't provide links right now. Church service is starting ;)

 

Appreciate your follow-up. Yes, it sounds like it might have been at Joe's. That name sounds somewhat familiar. For Original Joe's, their website notes that it was at 144 Taylor Street until a 2007 fire destroyed part of that building. They noted they had an open kitchen and much on their history, food, etc.

 

Keep up the great sharing and wonderful help. Glad you were headed to church this morning. I feel blessed to be gaining all of this continued great background information.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 158,385 views for this posting.

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Yes, there are a few Joe's around :p

 

Yes, Original Joe's was burned out of the Taylor Street location, it was in a sketchy neighborhood anyway. It eventually relocated to the current location at 601 Union St in North Beach (SF's Little Italy). A few years ago they acquired another "Joe's": Westlake Joe's and gave it a two year makeover. Here's the link http://originaljoessf.com/

 

Here's the link for Original U.S. Restaurant http://originalusrestaurant.com/

 

Both "Original's" are within a block or two from each other and from the Mason Street cable car line that runs from Union Square.

 

Then there's Fior d'Italia which claims to be the "America's Oldest Italian Restaurant". :confused: Coincidentally it used to be at the current Union St location of Original Joe's. :rolleyes: http://www.fior.com/

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