San Francisco Restaurant Tips by Gypsystravels

Restaurant Name: Yet Wah Restaurant

Yet Wat Restaurant is a great Chinese restaurant located in the heart of Clement Street where you'll find greeat Asian restaurants like Burmese, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. I was in the mood for Chinese and we decided to have an early dinner here. The restaurant is pretty big with nice boths along the side of the restuarant and many tables for large parties in the center. As you enter you will be greeted by the hostess and it is where you will also find a smallish bar stocked with the usual shelf liquor.

They have a huge selection of your favorite dishes along with some dishes not found in most Chinese restaurants like Abalone, Goose Web and Shark Fin soups just to name a few.

Prices are reasonable and the best part is the that food was excellent and the service just as good.

Favorite Dish: We started our meal with an order of yummy "pot stickers" and "spring rolls". We decided to order a few items and share for the main course. We ordered the glazed Walnut Prawns and the Szechuan Spiced Chicken with an order of steamed rice.

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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415-387-8040
Address: 2140 Clement Street
Website: www.yetwah.com

Restaurant Name: Catch Isle

We were spending the afternoon doing some shopping at the Westerfield Center, a mall here in the heart of downtown San Francisco. We needed to get something to eat and decided to check out the restaurants at the food court here at the mall. I knew I didn't want your typical "mall food" and Catch Isle proved to be a great choice.

It's a great restaurant with a pretty nice selection of fresh seafood and an excellent choice rather for us "foodies" . You make your selection from the menu on boards over the counter and you are given a number which will be called once your meal is ready. The food is prepared fresh, so you'll usually wait at least 5-10 minutes.

Our choices were yummy and way too much food to finish.

Favorite Dish: I ordered the crabmeat sandwich which was prepared with pieces of crab, a bit of mayo, lettuce, tomatoe on a ciabatta bread, it was amazing.

Ro ordered the fish platter sandwich which was a filet of fish on a ciabatta bread with a side of paremesan fries!! Yum!!

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Theme: Seafood
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Food Court at the Westerfield Center

Restaurant Name: Trattoria Sodini

I've been to this restaurant at least 3 times during my many visits to San Francisco. Its a family owned restaurant with a nice homesy feeling. The food is fantastic and the place is always jammed pack. The decor is a throw back to the early 1960's which gives it a nice vibe. The service was good and the food is always excellent!

They recently (2007) underwent renovations making the restaurant a little more popular. It really isn't too kid friendly though since it is on the smallish side. I would say if you are looking for a little romance, or dining with a group of freinds, Sodini's is the place. They get super crowded and I would recommend getting here a bit early so you won't have to wait in the bar area which is pretty small. The prices are great with a large selection of daily specials.

If you're in the North Beach area, pop on by and enjoy a great meal.

Favorite Dish: I love their fried calamari and I usually order their Tortellini Alla Panna, YUM!!

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415-291-0499
Address: 510 Green Street, SF
Directions: In the North Beach section

Restaurant Name: Alegria's

During one of my visits to this fantastic city, Ro hosted a dinner here for fellow vt'rs Willy_Wonka and Arasnosliw.

The food was fantastic with a wide range of authentic cuisine from Spain, and the sangria was wonderful as well!

We ordered many tapas to share among the four of us.

Favorite Dish: We started with a pitcher of Sangria and then ordered the Patatas Bravas, Calamares Fritos con Alioli, Chorizos Espanoles, Aceitunas aliniadas, Croquetas del Dia and the Jamon Serrana con Piquillos, which all were excellent.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415-929-88888
Address: 2018 Lombard Street
Website: http://www.themenupage.com/alegriasmenu.html

Restaurant Name: Ana Mandara

Geisha_Girl hosted a vt dinner to welcome to San Francisco our Willy_Wonka. She chose this beautiful, relaxing and inviting restaurant for the 20 plus individuals which joined us for a fantastic meal, idol chatter and some fun.

The restaurant has a large selection of authentic Vietnanmese dishes to please anyone.

The following words were taken from the restaurant's website:

"The ancient story behind Ana Mandara, or “beautiful refuge,” is one of love and loss, courage and honor, romantic rage and sacrifice. Look around you at the intricate carvings, ancient pottery, and delicate bamboo, and be transported to a special time in Vietnam… A time when life was as fragile as the lotus flower, but also powerfully rich with passion and culture."

You may notice the symbols of the crane and turtle around you. In Vietnamese culture, the turtle and crane each symbolize enduring power and longevity. The two, standing together, represent a healthy long life of happiness. This is our wish for you as you visit us at Ana Mandara, our “beautiful refuge.”

This is a wonderful place to enjoy a great meal and atmosphere.

Favorite Dish: We ordered so many different dishes to share, I can't remember any of them though.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 415-771-6800
Address: 891 Beach Street
Directions: Ghiradelli Square
Website: www.anamandara.com

Restaurant Name: OOLA Restaurant & Bar

In May 2008 I was back in town and of course had to meet up with my IPGs, Geisha_Girl and MeSoBlonda, but where to meet? G_G recommended that we try this place out. The restuarant/lounge was a great choice for us IPGs to catch up and plan our upcoming trip.

The restaurant with its high ceilings, velvet booths, brick faced walls was a warm and inviting place to have some great food and a few good cocktails ("effen prick" was G-G's choice).

Favorite Dish: We ordered a few appetizers to share. We started with the Ahi Tuna, Ceasar Salad and Macaroni and cheese, we also ordered a large plate of spare ribs which were excellent. The Blonda ordered a burger and fries as well.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 745-995-2061
Address: 860 Folsom
Website: www.oola-sf.com

Restaurant Name: Cafe Claude

Cafe Claude is a a fantastic French Cafe with great food and atmosphere. The restaurant located on a small alleyway in the financial district. This cafe reminded me of the wonderful little bistros and cafes of Paris.

The restaurant has a typical French touch, with its furniture rescued from a Cafe in Paris. I truly felt like I was enjoying a great meal with excellent wine back in my favorite city, Paris. The waiter was excellent in suggesting some good wines for some of the girls, while Ro and I enjoyed mixed cocktails.

There were five of us and we decided to enjoy a crisp evening at the out door seating area. Prices are very reasonble for an excellent French meal.

Favorite Dish: We started our meal with an obligatory cheese plate, then we each selected an appetizer to share among all of us. We ordered the Pate Plate, the Trouffle Mouse, the Endive Salad and one of the girls ordered the special corn soup which was excellent.

I ordered the Coq au vin which was quite good, Ro had the special pasta of the day which was the Fettucine Alfredo while the other three girls ordered the Salmon.

We finished this fabulous meal with coffe and I had the Creme Brulee which was perfect!

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Theme: French

Phone: (415) 392-3505
Address: 7 Claude Lane
Directions: Financial District.
Website: http://www.cafeclaude.com

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Theme: Other