Tadich Grill is my favorite restaurant in the Bay Area. Part of why Tadich is so good is not just the food, it's superb; you know that; it's the
consistency. You have a constant going in: the bread is fresh, always fresh; the coffee, the white napkins, the waiters--everything is always the same. I like sitting at the counter. I used to see
Herb Caen and
Willie Brown at the back table but Caen once told me his favorite seat was the counter. So there. Did I mention the food? My god, heaven on a plate. Greatest sand dabs in the city. Salmon to die for.
Original Joe's is right at the top of the list. In its new reincarnation in North Beach, the place is always packed. The media crowd is thick. If you like Italian, this place is about at good as it gets. In my opinion, Joe's has the
BEST burger in the city. It's old-school, patty on grilled sourdough cut in half, (no bun)--and hardly any crap like lettuce and pickles --it's huge and delicious.
John's Grill: Been around for gazillion of years, John's Grill is much like Tadich: consistently good, great food, and old-school en fuego. It's a throwback to the old-fashioned San Francisco eateries--seafood, steaks, and the best iceberg lettuce salad on planet Earth. Another Caen hangout.
You didn't think I'd miss this place did ya?
Tommy's.
ReplyDeleteRich, ever been to Jack's Sacramento St.? I bussed there for a couple of years while going to school back in late 70s. Feinstein, Kopp, Brown, Alioto were regulars there. Loved the vibe of that place. Never could afford to bring a date there on my own dime.
ReplyDeleteThe House of Prime Rib on Van Ness...a San Francisco experience.
ReplyDeleteNice, very nice. Could not argue with any of them. Here's a few: the great, mostly locals only Pacific Cafe...let's not forget Izzy's & Ton Kiang; also, Spiazzo's
ReplyDeleteYou forgot Sam's
ReplyDeleteI used to love Ernie's because Hitchcock featured it in his movie VERTIGO. Hitchcock had an exact replica of the Ernie's restaurant interior created on a Hollywood soundstage and then had Ernie's fly down their actual food to be served on the set to the extras sitting in the dining room! Talk about attention to detail!
ReplyDeleteJoe's Cable Car Burgers, but he closed it this year. I still have the free T-shirt he gave me the last time I was in there. Lefty O'Doul's; Tommy's. My late brother Mario loved Tommy's.
ReplyDeleteJack's on California street was pretty good for those who wanted a formal dinning
ReplyDeleteexperience.
thanks for the tip.
DeleteI moved from SF ten years ago...and really, really miss Liguria Bakery on Washington Square. It has the BEST Focaccia on the planet! I also miss Chava's in the Mission (best Caldo de Res on the Planet). And I miss that old dive Sam Wo's on Washington in Chinatown (best Chow Fun on the planet)--which I know is now closed.
ReplyDeleteCall me a mutant but when I'm in Frisco I eat sushi and Ebisu is quite good. The Sunday Brunch at The Top of the Mark is an experience one must partake once in ones life, cost be damned. I've experienced it twice...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip about Top of the Mark. Always wanted to go there.
DeleteChava's is still open in the Mission, around 24th & Mission. Scomas on the wharf is always top notch!
ReplyDeleteHey, we forgot the mighty Silver Crest diner at Bayshore Blvd. Sausage, donuts, and that legendary ambience. I'm fairly certain Herb Caen popped in regularly - and I'm positive I saw Gary Radnich there.
ReplyDelete