When friends visit – I often get asked which places I like to eat at the most. Rarely is that an easy question to answer. But I do have some “go to” favorites.
This listing is revised every few months to add or remove places/ You can see all of the reviews at the places I eat by visiting BiteTheRoad.Yelp.com or checking for the “Reviews” category to the right.
Restaurants:
Higher end fare:
Down in the newly energized Embarcadero, is La Mar. Sitting over looking the water at Pier 1.5, La Mar offers Peruvian tastes heavy on the seafood and fresh ceviche’s.
House of Prime Rib is another local fav for guests. It’s a one price standard in SF. They do a tableside mix of your salad, ask what veggie option and the size of your portion of beef!
Trattoria da Vittorio, this Italian favorite of mine, while it doesn’t take reservations – it is sure worth it! You can chek out one of my reviews of it on Yelp here.
Go To Standards:
Rocco’s has been my “goto” restaurant for 20 years, way before it got so much Food Network coverage– with its mix of Italian food, comfort food and daily specials – you are sure to please any taste. They do a great breakfast and lunch as well. Try the polenta fingers with pesto as a starter!
Max’s Opera Diner – is our local take on NY Diner/Deli style food with huge portions and with waiters who perform at night – it’s an opera and symphony goer’s food place for its close proximity. Avoid the 5 – 6 slot as that’s when the floor staff changes shift and can be a challenge with service. Note: This place isn’t as great as it once was – but still offers a huge assortment of food.
Another local Deli favorite is the Millers East-West Deli. This small and casual place – almost always has a line on weekends but is a great mid week place.
For Brunch:
If you want an over-the-top brunch – check out The Palace which is one of more spectacular brunch buffets in one of our historical hotel on Market street or kick up the fun at the Starlight Room for Harry Dentons’s Drag Brunch its an old school female impersonation show – very Follies-style with a nice easy buffet.
Castro
In the Castro – Café Mystique and La Mediterranee are both spins around a similar theme – Mystique having great specials including a lamb burger and salmon dishes, while La Med is a simpler greek style with supper fresh mixed platters.
Cafe Mystique 464 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114-2020 +1 415-865-9963 My TripAdvisor review
Sometimes I want something plain and simple- if this fits the mood – hit the Cove on Castro a long-time local LGBT supporter for years they have 2-3 different soups daily.
Noe Valley:
Just down the road is Erics one of two locations, offering great quality, dine-in quality Chinese food.
SOMA
Rocco’s has been my “goto” restaurant for 20 years, way before it got so much Food Network coverage– with its mix of Italian food, comfort food and daily specials – you are sure to please any taste. They do a great breakfast and lunch as well. Try the polenta fingers with pesto as a starter!
West Portal
Trattoria Da Vittorio – A super good italian theme with a Calabrian center. Love the folks here. 150 W Portal Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127-1306. +1 415-742-0300. MyTripAdvisor Review
Mission
Southpaw BBQ & Southern Cooking; Top-notch quality flavor, portion size and super friendly staff. My TripAdvisor review
Bayview-Hunters Point
Old Skool Cafe 1429 Mendell St. San Francisco, CA 94124. b/t Palou Ave & Oakdale Ave My Yelp Review