Visiting San Francisco next week

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: DLeRium

Originally posted by: EvilYoda

Originally posted by: zylander
Definitely hit up Tommy's Joynt on Geary and Van Ness, look up their website if you like. Great food and not very expensive. Go on Saturday so you can try their Saturday special; sweet and sour spare ribs...omg so good.

All the Dim Sum places I go to are in South City, but if your in China Town, look for the Golden Gate Bakery, best fucking egg custards I have ever had.

Strip clubs...well just go to North Beach, Im sure you'll find at least one strip club there you like.

Breakfast, brunch, lunch, Art's Cafe on 9th and Irving is really good, I go there quite often. Little hole in the wall, good food and cheap.

hah, you're not the first person to tell me to check out Golden Gate Bakery! "dan ta" are one of my favorite things in the entire world, and always have been. I'm definitely going to stand in line for a while to get some egg tart goodness.

Egg tarts there are amazing. I still like Oakland's bakeries better but golden gate is a MUST TRY. For $1.10 its not worth it, but whatever. There's a reason there's lines around that place and it closes for months because they make so much money.

Dim Sum I would recommend Peninsula like Daly City or Millbrae. Koi Palace is by far the best (and I've gone all over the Bay).

As for SF itself, there's some good moderately priced restaurants like Asia SF, Ana Mandara, Roy's, HOUSE OF PRIME RIB.

Clubs? Are you Asian? Clubbing should always be done by following a PROMOTER. Venues don't mean jack crap.

The promoter groups I've gone with are:
www.elementsf.com
www.synergysf.com

But yes that's if you want an Asian crowd. If you want a ghetto crowd just walk in on a random venue and bam. I'll never do that again though.

Wow, that's great. Thanks! As for the parties - I'm asian, but I will very likely be with some white people, so we'll see. Turns out I probably won't be going clubbing anyway, probably just a few bars.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
Heh, I'll be in town (sorta) at the same time. I grew up in the north bay though, so not making it a touristy trip to the city this time around.

If you feel like getting out, it's not a bad drive to Sonoma or Napa for a day trip of wine tasting. If you're willing to drive an extra 40 minutes, Mendocino County has great wines and fewer tasting fees.

I go to Napa about once a month these days. I never pay tasting fees. ......I typically rotate with Dariusch, Elyse, and Alpah & Omega.

Franciscan too, when I'm feeling randy....

I will take those recommendations under consideration when we're down next week. I grew up in that area but moved away before I was 21. 🙂 Thanks!

well, everyone has tasting fees of course, you just have to sweet talk them out of charging you 😉

But yeah, all of these are great. you need a reservation to taste at Eylse--not because they are super fancy or anything, but b/c their tasting room is very small. It's off the main road on the other side of the wine train line. It's really just a house...

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Not to threadjack but someone should recommend some restaurants so I can figure out where I can take my gf next month. I'll definitely add Foreign cinema on the list of places I need to go... =)

 

[EvilYoda]

Bump and question:

Should I get a 3-day passport? I anticipate using the Culture Bus on Saturday to get to the Academy of Sciences, which is normally $7 roundtrip, but it'd be $3 with the passport.

Friday morning, I'm headed to my hotel early morning to drop my bags off (hopefully around 9AM or so), after which I'll head up to the Golden Gate Bridge before the 12PM workout at Crossfit SF. I hope it's not too complicated to get there via muni.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
Heh, I'll be in town (sorta) at the same time. I grew up in the north bay though, so not making it a touristy trip to the city this time around.

If you feel like getting out, it's not a bad drive to Sonoma or Napa for a day trip of wine tasting. If you're willing to drive an extra 40 minutes, Mendocino County has great wines and fewer tasting fees.

I go to Napa about once a month these days. I never pay tasting fees. ......I typically rotate with Dariusch, Elyse, and Alpah & Omega.

Franciscan too, when I'm feeling randy....

I will take those recommendations under consideration when we're down next week. I grew up in that area but moved away before I was 21. 🙂 Thanks!

well, everyone has tasting fees of course, you just have to sweet talk them out of charging you 😉

But yeah, all of these are great. you need a reservation to taste at Eylse--not because they are super fancy or anything, but b/c their tasting room is very small. It's off the main road on the other side of the wine train line. It's really just a house...

Sometimes paying the tasting fee and sweet talking into an extra pour from the reserve or the port they don't have on the tasting menu is worthwhile. 🙂 I just <3 Mendocino because they are still in the "wine before wine was cool" mode, where the winemaker's wife is pouring and they'll give you impromptu tours of the cellars if you don't mind dodging the dogs while you walk around.

 

[SKC]

fyi Golden Gate Bakery is ON HOLIDAY! I walked by yesterday to try to pick up some dan tat and Chinese Rice Crispies (not sure if there's a translation, direct phonetic translation sounds like "horsies") -- and it looks as though they're on vacation until May. I could be wrong but wanted to give a heads up. Also, stay away from the places the ladies in Chinatown hand out fliers for - they prey on tourists who don't know better (food/service poor). Look for places with locals.

If you want club suggestions PM me, I'm happy to give advice. Off the top of my head for a mixed crowd they might enjoy Ruby Skye, depending on the night and your group's preference in music.

If you're going to be in the east bay - try the upstairs at Chez Panisse. Less formal than the dining room but great, great food. Reservations easier to get as well. (DLerium, recommendation for you too).

Enjoy your Crossfit workout. I've walked by many times but live and work out in the east bay.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
Heh, I'll be in town (sorta) at the same time. I grew up in the north bay though, so not making it a touristy trip to the city this time around.

If you feel like getting out, it's not a bad drive to Sonoma or Napa for a day trip of wine tasting. If you're willing to drive an extra 40 minutes, Mendocino County has great wines and fewer tasting fees.

I go to Napa about once a month these days. I never pay tasting fees. ......I typically rotate with Dariusch, Elyse, and Alpah & Omega.

Franciscan too, when I'm feeling randy....

I will take those recommendations under consideration when we're down next week. I grew up in that area but moved away before I was 21. 🙂 Thanks!

well, everyone has tasting fees of course, you just have to sweet talk them out of charging you 😉

But yeah, all of these are great. you need a reservation to taste at Eylse--not because they are super fancy or anything, but b/c their tasting room is very small. It's off the main road on the other side of the wine train line. It's really just a house...

Sometimes paying the tasting fee and sweet talking into an extra pour from the reserve or the port they don't have on the tasting menu is worthwhile. 🙂 I just <3 Mendocino because they are still in the "wine before wine was cool" mode, where the winemaker's wife is pouring and they'll give you impromptu tours of the cellars if you don't mind dodging the dogs while you walk around.

I'm typically getting 3-5 extra pours from wines that aren't on the tasting menu. Last trip to Dariush, I doubled the list 😀 You only have to know their wines, really, and simply ask about them and they'll hook you up.

Alpha and Omega always lets me try their estate from the barrel. 😎

 

[RabidMongoose]

If you want to brave the crackheads of the Tenderloin but want to go to a popular SF brunch place, then you can go to Dottie's in the Tenderloin. But you may be in line for a while with crackheads walking by.

If you want to try out the best coffee in the entire Bay Area, then check out Blue Bottle Coffee on Linden. It's basically a garage in the middle of an alley. Another nice brunch place is nearby - J's Pots of Soul. All in a nicer area - Hayes Valley.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: Parasitic
Been to Absinthe before...liked the place. It's on the corner of Hayes and Gough: http://www.absinthe.com/
And if you'd like some Japanese food, go and try some Japanese all-you-can-eat shabu shabu in Japan town. Cafe Mums was pretty solid. http://mumssf.com/default.aspx

Also, if you find yourself brave enough to venture into the Castro, there are some nice little places to hang out and see around there.

Also for all you can eat and all you can drink Shabu, there's Shabu House further down around 15th & Geary.

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: SKC
fyi Golden Gate Bakery is ON HOLIDAY! I walked by yesterday to try to pick up some dan tat and Chinese Rice Crispies (not sure if there's a translation, direct phonetic translation sounds like "horsies") -- and it looks as though they're on vacation until May. I could be wrong but wanted to give a heads up. Also, stay away from the places the ladies in Chinatown hand out fliers for - they prey on tourists who don't know better (food/service poor). Look for places with locals.

If you want club suggestions PM me, I'm happy to give advice. Off the top of my head for a mixed crowd they might enjoy Ruby Skye, depending on the night and your group's preference in music.

If you're going to be in the east bay - try the upstairs at Chez Panisse. Less formal than the dining room but great, great food. Reservations easier to get as well. (DLerium, recommendation for you too).

Enjoy your Crossfit workout. I've walked by many times but live and work out in the east bay.

Oh noes! That sucks...we'll still check it out, but that's not good news. Thanks for all the info though.

As for Ruby Skye - my weekend can go one of two ways: 1.) girl visits, we don't do clubs, just bars 2.) girl doesn't visit, I do whatever the fuck I want, which means Ruby Skye on Friday for Above & Beyond 😀

It's going to be difficult getting any work done today and tomorrow, LOL. I basically know what my plans for Friday are, Saturday's going to be just a bunch of eating, shopping, and walking around sightseeing until dinner time.

 

[dr150]

Originally posted by: astroidea
there's a nice bike tour that goes through a nice scenic tour of the place around golden gate bridge.
the 49mi scenic drive is noice too

Not to add to the other good advice, but this really popular bike ride from Crissy field to Sausalito and beyond and then taking the ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf is an AMAZING way to spend some time.

This is the most popular company for this adventure:
http://www.blazingsaddles.com/?reload

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: Parasitic

Originally posted by: torpid
When I was in SF over xmas break, I dined at and enjoyed Slanted Door and Chez Panisse. The latter might be tough on a week's notice, though.

Maybe it was just me, but Chez Panisse was overrated.

a bevy of the locals prefer Lalime to Chez Panisse.

I was a hair away from trying out Chez Panisse a few months ago, but the plans (and reservations) got lost in the fog, somehow...

Lalime is quite good, though. But hell, when you're drowning in fine restaurants and markets out here....what's the difference?

I don't know much about Lalime's but based on the menu I find it hard to believe I personally would enjoy it as much. Chez Panisse was the restaurant that more or less single-handedly started the farmer's market craze and local, sustainable ingredient restaurants (sometimes known as California cuisine). It is also consistently listed as both one of the 50 best restaurants in the world by Restaurant Magazine and one of the 10 best restaurants in the US by Gourmet Magazine. And it has a michelin star. Obviously neither of these places is going to be like the French Laundry, but you can't get a reservation on short notice to the French Laundry generally.

I'm referring to the "downstairs" restaurant here... no idea about the cafe or how it stacks up.

I'd rate Chez Panisse as the second best restaurant I've been to, with a big gap between it and Alinea. Was unable to secure a reservation to French Laundry when I was there last...

 

[EvilYoda]

I can't believe I've forgotten to ask about this: has anyone been to Toronado or La Trappe? I'm looking forward to La Trappe since it's all Belgian, but depending on what area we're in, we might swing by Toronado too.

Any other high-end beer bars like that more near Union Square?

 

[EvilYoda]

Just got the news - the girl's going to be able to visit me in the city, so most of the asian-centric plans will be scrapped.

Still, good news. Any suggestions on beer bars like Toronado or La Trappe?

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
Heh, I'll be in town (sorta) at the same time. I grew up in the north bay though, so not making it a touristy trip to the city this time around.

If you feel like getting out, it's not a bad drive to Sonoma or Napa for a day trip of wine tasting. If you're willing to drive an extra 40 minutes, Mendocino County has great wines and fewer tasting fees.

I go to Napa about once a month these days. I never pay tasting fees. ......I typically rotate with Dariusch, Elyse, and Alpah & Omega.

Franciscan too, when I'm feeling randy....

I will take those recommendations under consideration when we're down next week. I grew up in that area but moved away before I was 21. 🙂 Thanks!

well, everyone has tasting fees of course, you just have to sweet talk them out of charging you 😉

But yeah, all of these are great. you need a reservation to taste at Eylse--not because they are super fancy or anything, but b/c their tasting room is very small. It's off the main road on the other side of the wine train line. It's really just a house...

Sometimes paying the tasting fee and sweet talking into an extra pour from the reserve or the port they don't have on the tasting menu is worthwhile. 🙂 I just <3 Mendocino because they are still in the "wine before wine was cool" mode, where the winemaker's wife is pouring and they'll give you impromptu tours of the cellars if you don't mind dodging the dogs while you walk around.

I'm typically getting 3-5 extra pours from wines that aren't on the tasting menu. Last trip to Dariush, I doubled the list 😀 You only have to know their wines, really, and simply ask about them and they'll hook you up.

Alpha and Omega always lets me try their estate from the barrel. 😎

We seriously need to go tasting together sometime. What are you up to this weekend? 😉 And if you're ever up in the Seattle area I would be happy to show you Woodinville (or other, better places if you're in it for a day trip.)

 

[EvilYoda]

Awww, yet another happy couple meets in one of my threads.

matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match...

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Awww, yet another happy couple meets in one of my threads.

matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match...

:Q

 

[Orsorum]

Wish I could offer more suggestions, I've been to SF quite a few times but not enough to have real strong memories. Hooray for recruiting with accounting firms. 🙂 Best of luck, I hope you have a great time.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Awww, yet another happy couple meets in one of my threads.

matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match...

Yeah, I met my perfect match on Anandtech in 2001 and married him in 2005. 🙂

AreaCode707 :heart: linuxboy

But he'd come winetasting with zinfamous too!

 

[ed21x]

if it's not too late to suggest, go to Trish's Mini Donuts on Pier 39. They are heavenly.

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: ed21x
if it's not too late to suggest, go to Trish's Mini Donuts on Pier 39. They are heavenly.

No, it's not too late, and that's an excellent suggestion. I'm totally disregarding my "diet" for this trip, so donuts of the miniature variety are very welcome.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Awww, yet another happy couple meets in one of my threads.

matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match...

Yeah, I met my perfect match on Anandtech in 2001 and married him in 2005. 🙂

AreaCode707 :heart: linuxboy

But he'd come winetasting with zinfamous too!

ya, I think the GF and I will be heading back up in 2 weeks, actually. Hell, it's only an hour away at most. quite dangerous, really.......

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Awww, yet another happy couple meets in one of my threads.

matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match...

Yeah, I met my perfect match on Anandtech in 2001 and married him in 2005. 🙂

AreaCode707 :heart: linuxboy

But he'd come winetasting with zinfamous too!

ya, I think the GF and I will be heading back up in 2 weeks, actually. Hell, it's only an hour away at most. quite dangerous, really.......

Seriously, next time I'm in NorCal for period more than a few days I will shoot you a PM and see if we can work out a time to go bop around. I think we would easily win best netmeet. 🙂