Future Mrs. Whiner and I will be eating out A LOT in SF in the upcoming weeks, so we can't break the bank too many times. We'll be staying in a hotel on Union Square this week so we're planning on hitting Scala's, and we loved Frigale and Pastis, so we're deffinitely going to hit Piperade. But, where else should we try? While I welcome reccomendations for all price categories, I'm particularly interested in restaurants where apps for dinner are less than $11 and main courses are less than $22. Suggestions?

As an aside: we're planning on going to Gary Danko as our: "Hello, San Francisco!" restaurant. Is this a smart choice, or is there something better I just don't know about?

What JimmyV said.

JIMMYV

I agree that I rather pay $8 instead of $45 for an 88 rated wine, but my point is they are still both good wines. I'm looking for the best price too. Unfortunately, when a $8 wine gets a good rating, it becomes a $15 wine the next year (or next day at the liquor store).

Hopefully, we stock up on the lower priced stuff and not the higher priced. Although with allocations, we sometimes get stuck!

I feel your pain. I've had the same problem with Peay. I've popped 6 bottles so far of various wines and had 2 showed up corked so far. On a good note I contacted Andy about it and he said Vanessa would look into it and in the meantime we'll work it out when I order off the Fall mailer. So there is a silver lining in regards to their customer service. You should call Melville and see what they say.

Danko is superb. I was there last Sunday and food was great. I had the five course menu including cheese and came to $100 including tip and tax. I did not have any wine because was to realy taste the food. If you can, take the wine with you and pay corkage. I think it is $20.

Chapeau is a good restaurant with good price and we had an excellent offline there where food was great despite so many people. The only problem is that it is far from union square. Can try Kuletto near Union Square.

Orlando

Orlando,

Thanks for the quick reply. And it is good to hear the Danko is what the Zagat says it is.

Let me clarify one thing -- L and I will be staying at a hotel this week, but starting in mid-August we will be living in, most likely, Cow Hollow (if not, than the Marina, Russian Hill or Pacific Heights). So, restaurants needn't be in the Union Square area.

Anyway, thanks for the reply. L and I will be running around like chickens without heads this week. But we deffinitely want to get together with people, perhaps starting the week of the 15th. There's a chance I'm driving across the country and won't be in SF until the 21st, but I'd love to meet all of you Bay area folk.

I can't believe we're actually doing this!!!!!!

a

whiner... if you drive and don't have a laptop, be prepared to read around 3000 posts when you get there!

I'm not a huge fan of Danko. An early issue (the first?) of Oeno-file has a detailed review of Danko. Their wine list is insanely expensive so if you go bringing wine in is a must. The last time I was there corkage was $25 and there was a limit of two bottles (1500 ml) per group no matter how big the group. Here is a list in no particular order of restaurants on the more reasonable side (some more expensive and some less but none at the Charles/ Masa's/Dining Room/Danko/Fifth Floor/Michael Mina/Aqua/Boulevard etc level) that I would try if I were you (not an exhaustive list but this should get you started):

Thep Phanom (Haight)
1550 Hyde (that's the address)
Bkk Thai (Tendernob)
Eliza's (Western Addition)
Liverpool Lils (Cow Hollow)
Merenda (Cow Hollow)
Town Hall (SOMA)
Greens (Marina)
RNM (Haight)
La Taqueria (Mission)
Ton Kiang (Dim Sum - Outer Richmond)
Andalu (Mission) (disclosure - Andalu is a current direct client)
Incanto (Noe Valley)
Frascati (Russian Hill)
Claypool's Totally Smokin' (Marina) (disclosure - past direct client)
Sushi Groove (Russian Hill)
Chow (Castro - multiple locations)
Bix (late night) (Financial District)
Godzilla Sushi (Western Addition)
Firefly (Noe)
Baker Street Bistro (Cow Hollow)
Cafe Kati (Japantown)
A16 (Marina)
Globe (late night) (Financial District)
Quince (Western Addition)
The Slanted Door (Financial District - Ferry Building)
Swan Oyster Depot (Polk Gulch)
Sociale (Presidio Heights)
Magic Flute (Presidio Heights - for brunch on back patio when weather is nice only)
Chez Nous (Fillmore)
Last Supper Club (24th)
Luna Park (Mission)
500 Jackson (Financial District)
Antica Tratorria (Russian Hill)
Delfina (Mission)
Pesce (Russian Hill turning to Polk Gulch)
Chez Spencer (Mission)
Foreign Cinema (Mission)
Chez Papa (Potrero Hill)
Baraka (Potrero Hill)
Marketbar (FiDi - Ferry Building)
Acquerello (Polk Gulch)
Petit Robert (Russian Hill turning to Polk Gulch)
Hayes and Vine Wine Bar (Hayes Valley)
Plumpjack Cafe (Cow Hollow)
Balboa Cafe (Cow Hollow)
Clementine (Inner Richmond)
Chapeau (Outer Richmond) (parking is a problem)
Liberty Cafe (Bernal Heights)
Slow Club (SOMA)
Plouf (FiDi)
Bistro Aix (Marina)
Universal Cafe
Talula (Castro)
Home (Castro - caveat they lost their chef and I have not been back since)

That's a pretty exhaustive list JW1. I'll have to bookmark this thread. You are not the only one to not think super highly of Gary Danko. My boss went and was not impressed (he's a foodie and I've been to several fine restaurants with him). For the bucks he said to go to Chez Panise (the downstairs). I've always wanted to go to Charles Nob Hill and I'm betting that The Dinning Room at the Ritz Carlton should be spectacular now that Siegel is behind the stoves. If you want something really cheap (and kind of divey and a bit scary) check outTu Lan. It is on 6th between Market and Mission. Be warned that this isn't a real great neighborhood but is very close to lots of public transportation (and not that far from Union Square). I'll second the recommendation ofPlouf, especially if you like shellfish.Thep Phanom Is also very good and not super expensive. If you go there walk around the corner on Haight and check outThe Toronado the bar with the best selection of locally brewed beers in San Francisco. They also have events which can be quite nice.

I like Aperto (18th & Connecticut - Potrero Hill). It's a moderately priced Italian bistro, casual with a neighborhood feel. Poor wine selection, but I've never been charged corkage. No reservations.

I'll second Universal Cafe. I was there about 5 yrs. ago and thought it was an excellent value and corkage wasn't too bad either. Very good sweetbreads, if you are into that sort of thing.

jb

Whiner-- Again, congrats on the move! I say go to Danko, but for purely selfish reasons. Mrs. TJ and I are hoping to hit Danko's place as one of the two dinners we'll have when we're there in April. So, go and tell me about it now!

Just for fun, hit the Carnelian room at sunset for cocktails. It's at the top of the B of A building. Pricey and the food wasn't impressive, but it's cool to have a martini or 3 and watch the sun set from the tallest building in town...

How about a wonderful all-you-can-eat happy-hour buffet for $7.00?

The Happy Hour includes an extensive buffet of Pacific Rim delicacies. With items such as spare ribs, vegetable chow mein, pork buns, pot stickers, chicken drummettes, cheese, fresh fruits and crudités, the all-you-can-eat buffet is a 'steal' at only $7 per person with a one drink minimum. To complement this feast fit for kings and queens, the tropical restaurant and bar serves tantalizing cocktails at Happy Hour prices.

As you marvel at the exciting decor, be sure to hold on to your drink during the surprise thunder and lightning storm.

I'd forgotten about this place. It would be GREAT for kids. I think I was about 10 when I first went there. That was 1952.

The Tonga Room

Seigal is now at the Ritz?!? What happened to Portray, and who's at the helm of Masas?

Oh, and Jones left one restaurant off his list.

La Tacqueria.

Actually I left restaurants like Garibaldis, Baldoria, Limon, Alma, and Betelnut off the list by accident but La Tacqueria is already on the list.

Siegel announced he was leaving Masa's essentially right after the Napa Valley Wine Auction - dispute with new owner not over money. Portray iirc is now working for Alain Ducasse so Siegel took over the Dining Room. Most of the kitchen followed Siegel to the Dining Room. Masa's tried to get Perello to come to Masa's but she said no. Masa's then hired on a temporary basis (at 250k per year rumor has it) Richard Reddington late of Auberge du Soleil. Reddington is going to be at Masa's supposedly only until, his restaurant is up and running. Lousy decision by Masa's imo.

Another restaurant to take a look at that should be open in a few months is Spruce. Spruce will be at where Pascal Rigo's failed Le Table was located on Sacramento.

Who is behind Spruce?

my bad, jones. I got crosseyed trying to read the entire list in one fell swoop.

So Siegal is now at The Ritz.. man. It just might be safe to work there now.

Portray is your very typical french chef. If you know what I mean.

oh, and whiner... if I was having a "welcome to SF" type dinner where I wanted to splurge... I'd go to Fleur de Lys.