Special Selections in a Renowned Restaurant City
San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood has long been noted for its outstanding Italian restaurants. Since it is so close to Chinatown, it also has an array of popular and well-reviewed Chinese eateries.
Among the very best is Gary Danko. It has a build-your-own tasting menu, the service is impeccable, and the décor is most pleasant. While it is very pricey, it’s well worth making a reservation two months to the day in advance.
Another impressive one is Fleur de Lys. It has an Old World romantic flair. You dine under a canopied ceiling. The service and ambience are equal to the cuisine, and it is also a build-your-own tasting menu.
Recently voted San Francisco’s most popular restaurant is Boulevard. It has great American cuisine and is very upbeat and fun. Try to get a table overlooking the Embarcadero.
Slanted Door is our finest Vietnamese restaurant. It is described by Zagat 2003 as “Vietnamese street food made upscale.” It’s best to go as a group to share dishes.
A Greek winner is Kokkari Estiatorio with superb food in a warm taverna atmosphere, fireplace included.
An authentic French Bistro is Fringale. The place is small and tables are very close together, but it has a superior Basque menu.
Elegant and sophisticated dining may be found at the Ritz-Carlton Dining Room. The cuisine is fantastic, and you couldn’t do better in France. It is the city’s only restaurant to get AAA’s Five Diamond Award for 2003. The hotel lobby and drawing room have Old World furnishings and charm.
For a Chinese meal with French infusion, Tommy Toy’s is your place. (Jacket and tie required.) The staff is particularly helpful with your selections.
San Francisco has many fine seafood dining establishments. Aqua has great seafood, a great wine list, and glittering décor. Farallon is a bit Disney-like in atmosphere, but the chef is among the best when it comes to preparing your fish order. Swan Oyster Depot is an old-time, family-run tradition in a class by itself. It is open only for lunch with no reservations, and you may stand in line for the counter-only seating, but it is definitely worth the wait, as the food is simply prepared and is as fresh as it gets.
Another intimate, pricey, but excellent French restaurant is La Folie. The chef’s dishes are “works of art in presentation and taste.”
For a fine dining Italian dinner, Acquerello has classic service and great food of “sublime combinations” as well as a great wine list.
For a supper-club atmosphere, try Jardiniere, near the Symphony Hall and Opera House. It has California-French cuisine that “glides over the palate.” Ask for a table near the balcony rail.
All of the above restaurants are considered by many guidebooks to be among the best and also the most expensive. Most require advance reservations, but one can always opt for a cancellation. All of the above quotes are from Zagat 2003 restaurant guide.
Bon appétit! ▪
James Gabby, M.D., is a member of the Northern California Psychiatric Society.
