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Post by cristina on Sept 9, 2010 1:36:34 GMT
Jazz's thread on eating modestly in Paris made me think that this applies in any major city. I am going to San Francisco in 2 weeks to visit my daughter and it seems much of our pre-planning revolves around food. There are certain places I wish to visit (ie: Humphrey Slocombe for ice cream, thanks to the NY Times article Bixa posted in the Ice Cream thread), and then there are a few that my daughter wants to take me to, in the hopes that I will foot the bill.  Anyway, our restaurant list grew so long that we decided to do the movable feast/restaurant crawl approach and eat one course at each restaurant since I'll only be there for 3 days. (I will probably also need to take out a loan to fund these meals.  ) So probably no modest eating, other than a food cart she likes. However today she sent me a link to this site, which lists the 100 dishes to try in SF during in the next 12 months, aka The Big Eat. I thought it was sort of fun, and a couple of the restaurants from our prior list show up. And this will make sure that I visit her at least once a month for the next year.  Not that I wouldn't want to visit her anyway...I miss her! |
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 9, 2010 2:32:28 GMT
But ... but ... but ... but ... where's the dim sum??If you are going to eat, modestly or outrageously, you have to remember that we'll be eating vicariously with you, Cristina. Come on -- you gotta munch some for the gippers! Seriously, I can't wait to see what you all will decide on for this first round. Didja notice there's a restaurant named after me, didja, huh? It even sounds like me, with the "nondescript brick facade" redeemed by my "plush banquettes" and of course, "always without a cover charge". |
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Post by cristina on Sept 9, 2010 3:11:34 GMT
I completely missed your restaurant! I will be sure to visit in your honor, especially for the tuna tartare (I may have to skip the martini, though, as daughter has a whole bunch of other alcoholic adventures in store for me.  ). The daughter and I had an animated conversation about this entry: 92. Bacon-wrapped hot dog from a cart in the Mission (preferably when you’re drunk) According to her, this is the SF take on the Sonoran hot dog which was invented somewhere between Tucson and the Mexican border. There are 2 places in Tucson that compete for the best Sonoran hot dog and she wistfully recalled driving into the ghetto to get one at either place while in college. I will pass on the SF street vendor version. Fundamentally, I think a Sonoran hot dog must be purchased and eaten in Tucson. (BTW, it involves more than just bacon wrapping. The toppings are unique, as is the bun. Although the 2 ghetto places in Tucson apparently compete with different bun philosophies.) |
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 9, 2010 3:24:14 GMT
The burning bun philosophy question!
I totally agree with you about something like that. There were several "exotic" items that it would seem to be a waste of time to eat while in San Franciso, especially with so many things specifically from SF beckoning instead.
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Post by cristina on Sept 9, 2010 3:28:25 GMT
Didja notice there's a restaurant named after me, didja, huh? It even sounds like me, with the "nondescript brick facade" redeemed by my "plush banquettes" and of course, "always without a cover charge". Delayed reaction... ;D ;D ;D
(no comment about the "no cover charge" ) |
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Post by Don Cuevas on Sept 9, 2010 10:30:54 GMT
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Post by mickthecactus on Sept 9, 2010 11:52:24 GMT
But ... but ... but ... but ... where's the dim sum??If you are going to eat, modestly or outrageously, you have to remember that we'll be eating vicariously with you, Cristina. Come on -- you gotta munch some for the gippers! Seriously, I can't wait to see what you all will decide on for this first round. Didja notice there's a restaurant named after me, didja, huh? It even sounds like me, with the "nondescript brick facade" redeemed by my "plush banquettes" and of course, "always without a cover charge". I reckon it was named after Bix Beiderbecke.......... ;D |
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Post by hwinpp on Sept 10, 2010 3:01:36 GMT
I think a couple of pics of Fisherman's Wharf would be in order, Cris!
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Post by cristina on Sept 10, 2010 3:47:57 GMT
It is actually sort of odd that no Dim Sum dish turned up on the list. Thanks Don C for the photos from Ton Kiang. I would love to try their menu. HW, I will take pictures while there; although since it seems I will be eating 24/7, I can't guaranty that there will be any pictures of anything but food. |
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Post by lagatta on Sept 10, 2010 15:05:54 GMT
No dim sum is very very strange - the new Californian cuisine is a major influence in many parts of the world, but I'd also be very much centred on Asian cuisines (idem in Vancouver). Though dumplings can be a dim sum choice. I still prefer dumplings stuffed with shrimp or other seafood to soup dumplings - those are an amusing culinary feat, but don't satisfy me as much as fishy things. I'd just as soon save the po'boy for New Orleans, yummy though it looks.
Er, there is dim sum on the list: 62. Dim sum at Ton Kiang
There are old Northern Italian and French communities in SF, in part owing to the growth of the wine industry.
I'm far too much of a wino to be bothered with martinis or any other hard stuff in California! One does want to be somewhat gentle to the old liver!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2010 16:58:02 GMT
One of the better things about San Francisco is that it seems to appreciate the joy of eating and drinking more than Los Angeles, which is often ravaged by health fads (not forgetting that once the health fads send them around the bend, Angelenos administer themselves an antidote of greasy dripping burritos or a Mongolian barbecue orgy).
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 13, 2010 19:13:37 GMT
The daughter of a friend of mine moved to Los Angeles, so my friend now spends time there whenever she goes to the US. She describes L.A. as as place with beautiful, expensive restaurants that don't serve good food.
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Post by cristina on Sept 14, 2010 3:52:38 GMT
The best place to eat in Los Angeles is my Aunt's house. But I don't think she takes reservations. Actually, I have had a few good restaurant meals in LA, but it really is usually the exception, and definitely depends on the neighborhood. And Lagatta, I agree about not wasting one's liver on martinis and the like in northern California, as there as so many really good wineries. But I would still like to share a Salty Dog with my daughter. Just to say I've had one. Finally, there was one more dim sum place on the list, Yang Sing. I missed both them and Ton Kiang. I will be sure to roll myself into one of those two places before my trip is over. |
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 14, 2010 4:07:10 GMT
You know, I was looking at the list again. The first time, I made a snap judgment that it was for younger people who might find some of the items fun or off the wall. Also, I couldn't understand why people would bother making time for some of the things during a visit to San Francisco. This time it hit me -- duh! The list is for people who live in San Francisco, people who have the time and inclination to try everything the city has to offer, whether "typical" or not. Whew! Glad that's out of the way. Oh Cristiiiiiiiina ~~ did you check out this little item? www.screamsorbet.com/flavors.php The site has a listing of all the farmers's markets -- something to do on at least one of your visits. |
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Post by cristina on Sept 15, 2010 1:11:38 GMT
Bixa, thank you for the market link. I will likely have no time on this trip, but have forwarded it on to Miss C as I am sure she will take advantage. On another note, I have had my airfare booked for awhile but not my hotel. I'm actually going for a conference for work, so my company is footing the bill for my air and one night of hotel. But I was fretting about the cost of the hotel for the weekend as SF is definitely not a cheap place to stay, and I knew I wanted to stay in the city. So I did a little Priceline bid for the first time and got a 4 star hotel for $150/night. I wanted a little bit of luxury since Miss C will be staying with me, but was very pleased with the results. I'll let you know later if the hotel makes us sleep in a broom closet, as Expedia and others have the room at around $300 per night. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2010 17:55:53 GMT
It has been a while since I have visited this fair city. One of my most vivid memories of it however,was the abundance of ethnic foods available with out having to traverse very far. I was there for a month,divided my time up between two couples,one downtown in the Marina area,and the other up in Diamond Heights,just above the Castro,not far from 24th Street and Church Street. I ate Indian,Argentenian,Vietnamese (my first taste of ever!!),Chinese,Japanese,Mexican,Korean,and Italian all within a two week period it seems. Also,very nice,are the abundance of small markets with specialty cheeses,wines charcuterie,and fabulous produce,fruit in particular. Fabulous markets in Chinatown can't be beat either. Most of the local wines were reasonably priced,at that time,my favorite was a Stag's Leap Merlot,can't recall the year,but,I want to say a 1985.  Probably costs a small fortune now. That paticular winery, btw,is fabulous,small (or was at that time...) and off the beaten path. I am long overdue for a trip out there as I have two dear friends who live there and I've been told that Southwest airfares are down quite a bit from NOLA. I will be scoping out this thread carefully in the meantime,thanks!!! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2010 18:02:10 GMT
You know, except for fast food places, I think that perhaps the only place I have ever eaten in San Francisco is Fisherman's Wharf. That's kind of sad.
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 17, 2010 2:43:11 GMT
So I did a little Priceline bid for the first time and got a 4 star hotel for $150/night. I wanted a little bit of luxury since Miss C will be staying with me, but was very pleased with the results. I'll let you know later if the hotel makes us sleep in a broom closet, as Expedia and others have the room at around $300 per night. Well, "they" say all hotels will give good discounts if you know where to look and how to ask. I'll be interested to know how this turns out. If you don't like the room you're given, you could probably get a different one if the hotel is not full. Casimira's list of foods of many nationalities is almost a history lesson in the waves of people who've come to that port city. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2010 16:52:44 GMT
Our best friend from NOLA is in San Francisco for a Saints football game  this weekend. He is a major foodie,so,I will get serious details from him on all the current fabulous places to dine. He and his entourage left to go a few days early for this very reason. |
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Post by welleasguest on Feb 11, 2011 6:34:43 GMT
The list is for people who live in San Francisco, people who have the time and inclination to try everything the city has to offer, whether "typical" or not. Looking through the list, yes, it does seem like it's for SF locals. Some true classics on there. For French food I like this place: www.chouchoubistro.com/It's on the pricey side but has very good food and the waiters and the cook are actually French. It's a bit off the beaten path so go there for a cozy occasion. Or if you're mainly focused on the food. Not such a great place if you're into people watching in the big city. Comfortable atmosphere and easy parking. |
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 23, 2011 4:45:02 GMT
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Anyway, our restaurant list grew so long that we decided to do the movable feast/restaurant crawl approach and eat one course at each restaurant since I'll only be there for 3 days. (I will probably also need to take out a loan to fund these meals. 
) So probably no modest eating, other than a food cart she likes.
).
Probably costs a small fortune now. That paticular winery, btw,is fabulous,small (or was at that time...) and off the beaten path. 
this weekend. He is a major foodie,so,I will get serious details from him on all the current fabulous places to dine. He and his entourage left to go a few days early for this very reason.