San Francisco

[theetruscan]

Mexican is good in the Mission. But like with Vietnamese, Thai, or Indian food in my area, neighborhood's a bit sketch, so not sure if you want to come by at night...

The Mission is not a sketchy neighborhood. Otherwise, all good calls. Flour + Water is excellent, though there will be a serious wait if you go. Kill the time with the cocktails in Dalva Hideout.

[kompressorkev]

From what I could gather, in general it's alright but certain areas around the Mission are safer than others. I haven’t lived there or visited a whole lot, just speaking off what I heard anecdotally. I have no problem being there myself at night, visiting El Faralito, Little Star, seeing movies at the Roxie (the normal kind). I'm basically living near the Tenderloin for right now, where there’s a lot of good southeast Asian food, but when recommending a place to visitors I generally think it can be helpful to give heads up about the location. Perhaps a heads up about the Mission is unwarranted, and equating it with the Tenderloin isn’t fair. My apologies if it came off as judgmental.

I haven’t been to Flour + Water yet but heard it’s very good. Thanks for the tip about Dalva Hideout, will check that out.

Also E, two more things came to mind.
- Fatted Calf Charcuterie in Hayes Valley has some meats/pates/salumis that would go great with some bread from the Ferry Building or Tartine (after 5pm), perhaps for a nice picnic at Dolores Park (near Tartine).
- Fog City News (maybe 1 block away from Embarcadero Bart) has a great selection of chocolate bars and some magazines as well.

[theetruscan]

Don't worry Kev, it didn't come off as judgemental at all. It's just not accurate. The tenderloin is definitely a bit of a sketchy neighborhood (with some really sketchy areas), while the mission no longer is at all. 10 years ago when I first lived there, yes. But even five years ago, it was an expensive trendy area, with the sketchiness long gone. If you go far enough out in the mission (outer mission, across Cesar Chavez then another handful of blocks) it can get sketchy, but none of the areas you would visit for food, drink, or people watching are at all sketchy anymore.

[sargon97]

Flour + water is good, but not so easy to get a table, maybe midweek its better. I'm sorta so so on Una Pizza, I think I could enjoy it more if it wasn't so hyped up. Great list though.

Yes, was going to say Tartine! You can take the Bart towards Daly City, get off 16th and Mission, and walk a little bit to there.

A bit closer by to Embarcadero is the Ferry Building, certainly in walking distance. Boulettes Larder in the Ferry Building is a kind of a nice place for breakfast/brunch (though a bit pricey), but still very casual (not really a sit-down restaurant). 2 other things to note in the Ferry Building. For an excellent burger, try Prather Ranch's American Eatery (a takeout place), or 4505 meats kiosk (on Thursdays/Saturdays at the Farmer's Market right outside).

For a casual breakfast on Thursday or Saturday, i'd probably just grab some fruit from the Farmer's Market, some pastries from Della Fattoria (Farmer's Market kiosk on Saturdays only i think) or like sargon said Frog Hollow Farms, some jam, and some coffee (there's Blue Bottle and Peet's inside...i'm not a coffee connoisseur).

Anyway on SF generally, La Trappe for some beer and moules frites (it's in North Beach, just above downtown / chinatown. Sushi (and Japanese food in general) is not a strong point in SF, NY has much higher highs. Mexican is good in the Mission. But like with Vietnamese, Thai, or Indian food in my area, neighborhood's a bit sketch, so not sure if you want to come by at night...For pizza, i'm hearing Una Pizza Napoletana and Flour+Water (also for pasta) are great.

see you guys at Downtown tomorrow!

-------------------
links to said places:
Tartine, breakfast (Mission)
Boulette's Larder, breakfast/brunch (Ferry Building) + menu
Prather Ranch American Eatery, burger (Ferry Building)
4505 Meats, burger (Ferry Building Farmer's Market)
Della Fattoria, pastries (Ferry Building Farmer's Market)
Frog Hollow Farm, pastries (Ferry Building)
La Trappe, BEER + pub food (North Beach)
Una Pizza Napoletana, pizza (SOMA)
Flour + Water, pasta + pizza (Mission)

[Faust]

Hey all,

I am at downtown. Come say hi.

[AKA*NYC]

Don't worry Kev, it didn't come off as judgemental at all. It's just not accurate. The tenderloin is definitely a bit of a sketchy neighborhood (with some really sketchy areas), while the mission no longer is at all. 10 years ago when I first lived there, yes. But even five years ago, it was an expensive trendy area, with the sketchiness long gone. If you go far enough out in the mission (outer mission, across Cesar Chavez then another handful of blocks) it can get sketchy, but none of the areas you would visit for food, drink, or people watching are at all sketchy anymore.

ummmm the mission is and always will be turf for certain subgroups no matter how many pour over coffee joints open. the chances of something happening are slim but as long as guys called "trigger" still roam those streets i would be on alert while i go there. anyway read the comments in this article from 2011: http://missionlocal.org/2011/02/shoo...and-mission-3/ there's still a war going on. all this takes place on 16th and 17th and mission.

[kunk75]

dottie's is the best breakfast place in san fran IMO. get there early

[darkbydesign]

Go to the free Fire Poi Exhibition in Union Square tonight. It's always awesome! Starts at 7:50 by Temple of Poi.

[Faust]

I'm back home. It was a wonderful visit. I love SF and I was happy to meet a couple of SZers. I wished more of you had come.

[darkbydesign]

^^Yes. I, for one, am sorry that I did not show. It's my last few days at work so it's all about spontaneous "going away parties". I'll hopefully meet you and more SZr's in Manhattan.

[Faust]

My experiences from the recent trip:

HIT:
Blue Bottle coffee. Good. I still think it's overpriced, but whatever, the end result is that they make a stellar cup of drip coffee.

Cafe Zuni - delicious, laid back, pretty space. Had a great meal and a good conversation there with theetruscan and kompressorkev.

Akiko's - tasty and fresh sushi in a great, skilfully run-down decor.

Frog Hallow Farm - fantastic breakfast and coffee.

Boulette's Larder - absolutely delicious breakfast though really overpriced.

SKIP:

Philz coffee - was completely without character from the coffee to the space. Blue Bottle was by better by a mile (much better than their Williamsburg outpost, I must say).

Om Shanti Teahouse - horrible experience from A to Z. Bland food (their avocado sandwich was two slices of white bread and half of sliced avocado on the side, and their pu erh must the be Lipton of Chinese tea), clueless staff, pretentious decor. Everything just screamed fake.

Overall, San Fran definitely blows away anything in the US in terms of fresh honest food. Will be back again.

[comedyzen]

Sweet!! Found/bought some Stumptown beans at Rainbow Grocery.

[Urthwhyte]

Moving to Mountain View for a few months in just over a week and hoping someone here could recommend any popular fringe theatre venues in the city. Any suggestions?

[Chinorlz]

Been reading online a lot... what do locals consider the best ramen place for tonkotsu ramen in SF?

[comedyzen]

^In the city, there is nothing good. Drive 20 minutes out and go to:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ramen-dojo-san-mateo