Sarah's Guide to "The City"

Paige and I live in Sacramento, California. Therefore, we have only occassionally visited San Francisco - a/k/a "The City".

However, most of the visits were made to visit a resident of "The City" - Sarah Dvorak. Sarah has been in San Fran for, hmm, 5 years now (?) and has a vast amount of experience in... experiencing the best it has to offer.

So, instead of acting like Paige and I know what we are talking about when it comes to San Francisco, we asked Sarah to compile a list of recommended restaurants and areas of "The City".

For those of you who know Sarah, you know these places will be good. For those of you who don't know Sarah, trust me, she knows good eats. So without further ado, here are Sarah's picks:

EATS
Breakfast

Mama's 1701 Stockton Street (North Beach)

An all time favorite brunch spot in San Francisco. The line on Sundays may be around the block, and reservations aren't accepted, but sometimes it's hard to resist "Mama's" calling. Mama's delicious brunch features sweet and savory quiches (crabmeat quich recommended), orange sourdough toast, fresh squeezed juices, and stuffed "m'omlettes" as well as an everchanging specials menu. (description provided by sfstation.com)

Ella's 500 Presidio (Pacific/Laurel Heights)

Well known throughout town as the undisputed king of breakfasts, this restaurant's acclaim means you're likely to wait to get in up to an hour on weekends. But midweek and in the wee hours of morning, it's possible to slide onto a counter or table seat in the colorful split dining room and lose yourself in outstanding and obscenely generous servings of chicken hash, crisped to perfection and served with eggs any way you like them, with fluffy buttermilk biscuits. Pancakes, omelets, and the short list of other breakfast essentials are equally revered. Alas, service can be woefully slow, but at least the buspersons are quick to fill coffee cups. Come lunchtime, solid entrees like salads, chicken potpie, and grilled salmon with mashed potatoes remind you what's great about good old American cooking. (description by Frommer's)

Zazie 941 Cole Street (Cole Valley)

Zazie has a longstanding tradition as a brunch venue, with gingerbread or buttermilk pancakes a favorite. The rest of the menu is extensive -- ostrich burger, vegetarian Mediterranean plate and fresh goat-cheese ravioli basquaise with red, green and yellow peppers, garlic and herbs. There's also a prix-fixe option for less than $20, including one of the restaurant's decadent homemade desserts, like the Zazie brownie with raspberry sauce or carmelized-apple bread pudding. Lattes are served in ceramic bowls, and there is a good selection of wines. For late risers, breakfast is available until 2:30 pm. There is often a wait for brunch, either for a table inside or in the garden setting out back. (description provided by sfgate.com)

(aside from Justin - I have ate at all 3. All are magnificent. They are both in different parts of the city. The menus are diverse and reasonable.)

Tartine 600 Guerrero (The Mission)

This bistro has gained loads of recognition since its opening in 2002. This little place, consisting of a few tables with vases of fresh flowers, lends a countryside ambience. To add to this experience, the aroma of freshly baked cakes and buns fills the air. The mouth-watering lemon cream tarts and delightful Morning Buns with cinnamon and orange are a must have. Here you'll find a wide range of delectable pastries. (description by yahoo.com)

(aside from Sarah - This one is more of a bakery... but it is my FAV)

EATS
Dinner - Splurge

Chez Spencer 82 14th Street (between SOMA, Mission, and Potrero Hill)

French food, cute atmosphere...a bit romantic, but in the middle of nowhere! Rolling gates open into a flowered garden with a heated and fully covered patio. The restaurant is set in a soaring, loft-like space with a wood-burning oven at its center. I just had to include it because it's my FAV!

Bocadillos 710 Montgomery Street (Financial District)

Spanish/Basque small plates, tapas, and good wine.

Ozumo 161 Steuart Street (Downtown)

Best Sushi in the city! Contemporary Japanese cuisine also offered at this Zen-garden inspired restaurant located in the heart of San Francisco. Breathtaking bay views, authentic modern Japanese design, 30-person sushi bar, open kitchen and robata grill, sleek and sophisticated Sake Lounge, and a monumental Sake list.

Range 842 Valencia (The Mission)

Tasty Cali cusine. The menu features seasonal cuisine with appetizers such as 'marinated fennel with roasted peaches and chevre' and 'raw albacore, watermelon, avocado and hawaiian salt'. Entrées include 'halibut with braised artichokes, almonds, and cooked egg tartar sauce' and 'coffee rubbed pork shoulder with creamy hominy and braised greens'.

Myth 470 Pacific Avenue (Downtown)

Make reservations for this one!

1550 Hyde Cafe & Wine Bar (Russian Hill)

French-ish food. Offers simple, seasonal, organic cuisine that emphasizes local sustainable agriculture. Also has an award winning wine list with over 150 selections.

Luna Park 694 Valencia (The Mission)

Easy comfort food...and really not much of a splurge.

EATS
Dinner - Cheap Eats

Citrus Club 1790 Haight Street (The Haight)

Mix of various Asian dishes (Indonesian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, etc.). But you go there for the noodles.

Cha Cha Cha 1801 Haight Street (The Haight)

Cuban small plates & GREAT Sangria.

La Taqueria 2889 Mission Street (The Mission)

It's famous for it's tacos & burritos! Hot griddled tortillas stuffed with melted cheese, beans, meat and salsa make a savory, incredibly satisfying snack. Of the meat choices, carne asada (beef) and carnitas (pork) are the most popular, but diners can also get chicken or chorizo. No rice is used, thus diners actually get more meat.

Say Cheese 856 Cole Street (Cole Valley)

Great for Sandwiches, cheese, & wine.

Sushi Zone 1815 Market Street (The Mission)

No frills sushi...but very fresh. Order the Mango Sea Bass! Expect a wait.

Memphis Minnies 576 Haight Street (The Haight)

Great BBQ...and there's a killer sausage place across the way as well (Rosamunde) the hood is kinda sketchy though.

Jasmine Tea House 3253 Mission Street (The Mission)

Look them up...they deliver killer Chinese.

Taylor's Refresher 1 Ferry Building, Space # 6 (Embarcadero)

Located in the Ferry Building off the water. Great for burgers & the likes...they have a "Wisconsin" burger on the menu.

HOODS TO VISIT

The Mission / Dolores Park

It's a great park, with great food nearby... and good people watching.

The Haight

It's where the magic hippies play...so you have to at least see it! If you get sketched out, head south to Cole Valley (Cole & Carl) or take a strole through Golden Gate Park.

Cole Valley

Just a few blocks from the Haight Street scene is this charming neighborhood of renovated Victorians and small shops. The area retains a quaint, small town feel. Bakeries, markets, bars, and small gourmet restaurants add to a mix of refurbished homes, apartments, and gardens.

Union Square (Geary & Powell)

SHOPPING MADDNESS for all your big name stores

The Marina (Chestnut & Steiner...but all around there)

For great boutique shopping and fancy people...it's a taste of LA in SF. The Marina is a quiet & clean neighborhood known for its Mediterranean influenced architecture. The Marina Green, overlooking the bay and Golden Gate Bridge, is where you will see joggers, runners, and bikers.

Pacific Heights (Fillmore & Sacramento)

For AMAZING SF architecture (& HUIGE homes)...they call it Pacific "Whites"...so it's not too diverse, but kinda funny!

The Embarcadero

Just go to the Ferry building at the end of Market, you can't miss it!