San Francisco and what to do in it

well i'm definitely not an organmeat guy, but i thought i was consciously choosing "sf-style burritos" over something more like the real thing at Taqueria. have you been to that market, steve? i thought it was really good food but maybe it was just good timing. the town overall was slightly absurdly (or at least more-than-expectedly) conspicuously wealthy, but pleasant in a suburban village-y way and also had the best pastry I had in CA.

yeah, that's the heart of silicon valley (where the technology for whatever you're typing on and looking at right now has been developed).

but i have to admit having lived on a farm for half of my life, i don't really find the appeal of "farmer's markets" neither authentic or fascinating. for really authentic mexican food, i recommend this place just down interstate 5 from here. it's about a 40 hour drive.

My fave taqueria in SF is El Balazo. Outside of the fact that the help knows about 10 English terms, it's not very authentic, but damn is it tasty.

I guess I'm kinda soured on the notion of authentic cuisine since I had to eat real Chinese food for 2 weeks in China and it was absolutely terrible.

Yes, I am prematurely generalizing.

i am such a lazy tourist, i never care too much about the sights when i go to a place, i just like being there and walking around and eating and taking my own slow time about doing things, also i like looking at people and eavesdropping and watching the local news and lingering in hotel rooms.

I confess I'm going to be curious about Dutch tv this fall.

make sure you eat local snacks while you watch it.

hopefully there is no dutch carlos mencia.

I guess as this is my fourth trip, I'll finally go to Bernal Heights for the view.

Love it when all the book-and-poll-recommended things get "it's shit" from the locals (ie, Farolito). Very confusing.

Sorry, audio tour is worth 'enduring' to see Alcatraz once.

Farolito is the only place with Sesos (brains) and Cabeza (head cartilege)

c'mon Steve no way is this true. I can think of several taquerias on 24th St that have those on the menu (Vallarta, my personal favorite El Tonayense). altho I never eat that shit so what do I care.

Really? Most places either have one or the other. I need to go back to Vallarta.

granted its been at least a year since I've been to Vallarta

(Here we go with talking about SF food again...) I like Farolito's Al Pastor tacos. Why would you eat frickin' brains and shit anyway - Especially given the quality of meat that your average taqueria is buying... In the Mission, my favorite taqueria is actually El Metate (Bryant and 22nd) - amazing Chili Verde. If you go to the Ferry Building farmers market, the best (albeit fancy) Mexican food in the city is at the Primavera stand. Plus you can get Recchiuti chocolates. And a couple dozen oysters and a bowl of the best clam chowder EVER at Hog Island Oyster Company.

(Sheepish cuz I liked the Alcatraz audio tour when I was like 14 or something).

And if you are in the Mission, check out the new Bi-Rite creamery for some super-excellent ice cream.

If you go to the Ferry Building farmers market, the best (albeit fancy) Mexican food in the city is at the Primavera stand

i got a tamale from a blase non-mexican dude at the ferry building market (tuesday) that was pretty good. was that primavera?

Probably. You can buy Primavera stuff at fancy supermarkets, but the fresh stuff is way better. They do a great chorizo and eggs...

I will def go to Ferry Bldg...

Does anyone like La Cumbre?

The Ferry Building now houses the Slanted Door, which is a fave of many. Probably worth making a note.

the Ferry Bldg' worth a walk-through, regardless of where/what you end up eating.

Never heard of La Cumbre

"And if you are in the Mission, check out the new Bi-Rite creamery for some super-excellent ice cream."

OTM.

btw Shasta I was in Tonayense last night and they do indeed have cabeza and sesos both on the menu (I didn't eat either)

I am def gonna hit Ferry Bldg Fri or Sat (if my clothes arrive). M White, where wuz you?

Dude, sorry. Family thing came up and I had to help my putative (as we mutually call our relationship, tongue in cheek) mother-in-law. How long are you in town, again?

(I hear Hernandez looked good, **##^!)

til Tuesday, noonish. perhaps my bags will come
meantime.

Oh, Lord. I've had that happen. Not fun.

they're coming btwn 10 and 2, allegedly. I may buy a sweatshirt to get to MoMA.

Will there be a Sarah-n/a-Morbius summit?

we're missing each other, he's happy.

Shakey, looks like I'm bagging the Harryhausen movies, too much else goin on now that I have clothes. Saw de Palma's Obsession @Castro last night, maybe his best Hitchcock rip.

no worries - hey at least you got to see something at the Castro, that's what matters!

I go there every time I'm in town.

Is there a good brunch place in SOMA or the Mission (or Lower Haight) where I can be seated in less than 20 minutes on a Sunday?

ie, there's an online consensus that Kate's Kitchen has lost it.

I'd go to Suppenkuche for brunch. In fact I will go to Suppenkuche for brunch today.

would Chow be a long wait?

Not if you are willing to sit at the bar.

cherry cornmeal pancakes at Dottie's OMG

and I think the salted caramel at Bi Rite Creamery nearly gave me a coronary.

my omelette at Kate's Kitchen was OK...

Got out of Amoeba in about 90 mins, spending only $57.

Dotties >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Kate's Kitchen.

where is this Dottie's, I've never been there

on Jones, nr O'Farrell's. I waited 35 mins on Monday morning (after 10), but it was worth it.

O'Farrell St that is

btw, I laughed out loud at the Crumb stuff at Yerba Buena Ctr.

Dottie's was awesome, well worth the hour-ish wait. Chloe's was good for brunch too. We also hit Bi-Rite, the salted caramel was incredible. Had dinner at Millenium and Greens (hi dere vegetarians), both were fine but not really worth the $$$$$. Had lunch at Ferry Market Building one day, which was tasty but messed up my stomach. Unfortunately, never got around to eating any Mexican food.

We also did some stuff that didn't involve eating.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/x77tigersxus/sets/72157600337857235/

In case you care.

hey bros, i am going to be in sf mon/tues/wed.morning thurs next week on a business trip, anyone want to hang out?

Same phone, Ally?

yes. i have a blackberry now too and i can send you that # just in case but my regular cell should work.

Mr Shasta,

Would you mind disclosing a place or two in the Western continental United States (but not in Greater Los Angeles, Orange County or Seattle) in which to eat at least mildly creative sushi (or other haute Japanese food, but not a kaiseki meal) that is arguably comparable to or better than that found at certain locations above 14th St, on or East of 1st Ave, Manhattan, NYC, USA? This is for non-extreme-chowhounds, but stripmall-type places are a-ok.

Thank you,
gabbneb

I know you didn't ask me, but Ame is supposed to super-good (and very expensive). I also REALLY like Koo in the inner Sunset (San Francisco).

To be honest, I need to disclose that I'm not interested in creative sushi as that usually is a short road down a dead end street (not to mention I'm admittedly pretty discreet/aka asshole snob about where I eat sushi) but here's a couple lists of Bay Area Japanese food:

SF
1) Kappa - koryori (little plates, like a high-end izakaya)
2) Koo - fusion japanese
3) Ino - tokyo style sushi bar
4) The Dining Room @ Ritz Carlton - Ron Siegel was the first non-Japanese to not only win Ryori No Tetsujin (Iron Chef) but sweep all judges. The restaurant has a surprising amount of a Japanese influence as Siegel lived/worked in Japan for many years.
5) Tekka Izakaya (pub food, don't order the sushi, stick to the kitchen dishes)
6) Eiji - housemade Oborodofu - fresh tofu (again don't order the sushi)
7) Kyo-Ya - hotel-style (and priced) sushi

Bay Area
1) Kaygetsu (Menlo Park) - modern kaiseki but you can order ala carte. the kitchen chef is from Okinawa (I have a soft spot for Okinawan food).
2) Santa Ramen (San Mateo) - kind of weird pan-ramen place but they have great broth/noodles.
3) Shabuway (San Mateo) - they have imported japanese beef (mishima/matsusaka/kobe) shabu shabu, none of this US "Kobe-style" hybrid stuff you see all over NYC.
4) Sumika (Los Altos Hills) - best Yakitori in the Bay Area
4) Hoshi (San Jose) - excellent upscale Japanese restaurant
5) Sam's (San Mateo) - sushi bar