3 nights at Fisherman's wharf - where to eat?

 William E. wrote:
> Hello -
>
> We will be spending 3 nights at the Holiday Inn at Fisherman's Wharf
and
> would like your suggestions for a good cross-section of restaurants
for our
> 3 dinners out.
>
> We enjoy almost all types of food (sushi a notable exception) and are
> looking more for interesting dining experiences than for views, clubby
> atmospheres, entertainment, etc.  We will be walking, so would prefer
> restaurants within approx. 1/2 mile from Fisherman's Wharf.
>
> Which 3 would you suggest?  Thanks for your help!
>
> Bill Englander
> Monterey, CA
>

This is a notoriously bad neighborhood in which to dine in SF. Lots of tourist traps. But two excellent places exist within walking distance: Emma's and Zax. You can search deja for my recent review of Emma's. Both are very SF, and very good, and places locals go to. Both have been reviewed positively by The Chronicle -- certainly no guarantee of a good restaurant, but that means you can find out more at sfgate.com, their websight:  http://www.sfgate.com/eguide/search/food/

Also, my husband's family loves Scoma's. I think this place is shockingly overpriced for pretty mediocre cooked food, and the lines are hideous. But I have found the crab louie to be a good choice there, very generous on the crab and a very SF dish.

Have a good visit. The weather here has been gorgeous!

 William E. wrote:
> Hello -
>
> We will be spending 3 nights at the Holiday Inn at Fisherman's Wharf
and
> would like your suggestions for a good cross-section of restaurants
for our
> 3 dinners out.
>
> We enjoy almost all types of food (sushi a notable exception) and are
> looking more for interesting dining experiences than for views, clubby
> atmospheres, entertainment, etc.  We will be walking, so would prefer
> restaurants within approx. 1/2 mile from Fisherman's Wharf.
>
> Which 3 would you suggest?  Thanks for your help!
>
> Bill Englander
> Monterey, CA
>
>

Here are the ones I keep returning to in the Wharf area (including North Beach & Chinatown)

Gary Danko is by far the best restaurant in the area & one of the best in the Bay area.  Expect to pay over $200 per couple for a meal with wine IF you can get reservations.  French/Calif

Jianna in North Beach  French

Rose Pistola in North Beach  Italian (kinda) - outside tables

Mooses in North Beach  Calif (I know - this is the classic clubby place, but I still enjoy it)

Emma  Calif

Zax  Calif (very limited menu - check it out first to make sure there is something you like)

North Beach Restaurant  Italian.

Albona  Istrian  (come with a big appetite)

Ana Mandara  - Vietnamese - I have tried several times to reserve here, but have not been able to get a table.  It has received good reviews, but prices have gone up recently & some say the food has slipped. (But it started out very high).

If I had to choose 3 with some diversity it would be:

Gary Danko for French if someone else is paying, and Jianna if I'm paying

Rose Pistola for Italian

Ana Mandara for Oriental

You can find reviews of these on www.sfgate.com

 William E. wrote:
> Hello -
>
> We will be spending 3 nights at the Holiday Inn at Fisherman's Wharf
> and would like your suggestions for a good cross-section of
> restaurants for our 3 dinners out.
>
> We enjoy almost all types of food (sushi a notable exception) and are
> looking more for interesting dining experiences than for views, clubby
> atmospheres, entertainment, etc.  We will be walking, so would prefer
> restaurants within approx. 1/2 mile from Fisherman's Wharf.
>
> Which 3 would you suggest?  Thanks for your help!
>
> Bill Englander
> Monterey, CA
>
 In North Beach, I'd put in a special mention for Cafe Jacqueline, a little store-front restaurant on Grant near Union that serves entree and dessert souffles.  They offer soups and salads to start with, but the rest of the menu is strictly souffles, and if you're in the mood, they are delicious.  A copy of the menu is at:

        http://www.sfnorthbeach.com/cafejacq.html

NNTP-Posting-Date: Thu, 08 Feb 2001 21:01:35 PST
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Date: Thu, 08 Feb 2001 20:30:33 -0800
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In that neighborhood, I'll second the recommendation for Zax.  It's very good and quite comfortable (and a good selection of interesting wines at affordable prices).

If you walk down Columbus towards North Beach, I recommend L'Osteria del Forno.  Small, store front restaurant.  Limited, but interesting menu; good preparation.  Fun wine selection.

Also in North Beach, is House.  I've always eaten at their other location (in the Sunset); it's one of my favorites.  I understand that the North Beach location is almost as good (but smaller, and less formal).  Asian fusion.

If you're up for a bigger walk, keep going toward Chinatown and check out Great Eastern for Chinese seafood, or R&G Lounge for a similar menu.

If you walk along the Embarcadero instaed of down Columbus, you should be able to reach Pastis; very good French/Basque cooking.  Keep going, and you might be able to reach the Greek restaurant, Kokkari.

-john