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Good food doesn�t always have to equal $$$$. We share a great love for food and here are some of our favorite places in San Francisco and beyond.
BBQ
Memphis Minnie�s
Voted as the best BBQ in the entire country (citysearch). Behind the cutesy exterior, nationally known barbecue master Bob Kantor serves up top-notch, smoky goodness. When Jarred feels homesick, the combo plate of pork, brisket, greens and corn bread is sure to cheer him up.
Brazilian
Cafe do Brazil
Some say it's mediocre Brazilian food but what do we know? We have never been to Brazil. All we know is that all-you-can-eat tasty meats (sausage, two different kinds of beef and chicken)on a real BIG SWORD delivered right to your table one after the other by staffs in Brazilian costumes is not a bad way to entertain ourselves on hungry evenings. Did I mention All-You-Can-Eat?
Buffet
Todai
All-You-Can-Eat Japanese Seafood Buffet, but it's not just Japanese and it's not just seafood. The menu includes fresh steamed crab legs, lobster claws, and other cold items; a huge selection of sushi; hot entrees like teriyaki chicken, baked prawns, clams, bbq pork; and sweet treats like creme brulee, cakes, cookies, ice cream and a crepe station.
Californian/San Franciscan
Indigo
The menu is "San Franciscan, which these days translates to California cuisine filtered through French technique and Asian accents." Jarred and Suhi love the food at Indigo very much. We had Chilean sea bass with white truffle parsnip and hints of orange marmalade which was to die for. We also liked lamb shank stew. The pre-opera prix-fixe (5pm - 7pm) is a great value but why not wait until 8pm for "Ultimate Wine dinner" which offers unlimited wine. Indigo's wine list is praised to be one of the best in the city.
Chinese/Dim Sum
City View Restaurant
Less well-known means you won't have to wait in line clutching your hungry stomach until you faint. Suhi thinks City View offers the best dim sum she has ever had outside of Hong Kong. It's always piping hot and fresh. The restaurant itself is spacious and beautifully appointed. A pleasant weekend brunch experience.
Coffeeshop/Diner
It's Tops Coffee Shop
This tiny diner with tabletop jukeboxes screams the 50s, although opened in the 40s. The restaurant claims to have the best pancakes in SF and we believe them. The fluffy buckwheat hotcakes with some perfectly prepared eggs and home fries are what diner cuisine is all about.
Dessert
Tart to Tart
Pies, tarts, cakes, cookies, brownies. . . mmmmmmmmmm
Ethiopian
Axum East
Generous portions and moderate prices at this tasty Ethiopian restaurant tucked away in the Lower Haight. From fiery meat stews to gentle vegetarian sautes, dishes are spread over a piece of giant, spongy flatbread (injera) and eaten communally. Wash your hands before you eat. There are no utensils.
Fast Food
In-N-Out Burger
Suhi generally hates fast food but once in a while she takes a trip down to Fisherman's Wharf for In-N-Out treats. Fresh all-beef (made-from-scratch) patties, crisp lettus, thick-cut tomato and a blanket of Thousand Island dressing come tucked inside buns grilled to golden brown. Don't forget skin-on oversized french fries.
French
Bistro Clovis
Quintessentially Gallic food and appeal draw Francophiles to this charmer in Hayes Valley. The masterfully executed dishes include all your favorite bistro fare - extravagant house-made foie gras, escargot in butterliciousness, duck with citrus sauce, beef and mushrooms in a velvety wine reduction sauce, and last but not least, tarte tatin!
Crepes
Ti Couz
Simply the best crepes in San Francisco!!! Thin, nutty-tasting buckwheat crepes are folded in big flat squares around dozens of fillings, from a simple butter and cheese to ham and Gruyere, ratatouille with tomato, eggplant and zucchini or small, plump shrimp topped with a ladleful of terra-cotta colored seafood sauce. Sweet crepes are yummy, too.
German
Suppenkuche
Take advantage of the "awesome beer selection" to wash down the "Hearty Bavarian fare at this "easygoing" Civic Center German restaurant. You are sure to find excellent wiener schnitzel, bratwurst, potato pancakes with lots of sour cream and more!
Indian
Tandoori Grill
Delicious Indian food, sophisticated d�cor and superlative service. Our favorites are chicken makhni (chicken in tomato butter sauce) and saag paneer (cheese cubes in spinach sauce).
Italian
Scala�s Bistro
We had lunch here after the proposal. Wonderful, food is super, ambience is just about perfect! It can get a bit noisy, so if you can, request a booth seat close to the bar.
Pasta Pomodoro
We ate here on our first date. In addition to good pasta at an exceptional value, they carry low-carb pasta! Some say it's too californified, but we seem to like it.
Pizza
Arinell Pizza
As close as you'll get to a New York slice without hopping on the subway.
Gaspare�s Pizza House and Italian Restaurant
While Arinell reminds Suhi of her days in NYC when she used to grab a slice and go go go, Gaspare's sends her back to absolutely delicious and welcoming family-owned Italian pizzarias in nooks of New Haven, CT. Great super thin crust Pizza and loads of fun. Try the pesto pizza.
Japanese/Sushi
Ebisu
Fabulously fresh sushi served in a festive environment at this longtime favorite in the Inner Sunset. When Suhi gets homesick, she sits at the sushi bar and talks to the chefs while they pamper her with their delicious creations.
Benihana
Are you thinking of dinner and a show? How about Benihana where dinner IS the show. (Simpson's) Although it isn't exactly a culinary adventure ( everything is served with the same sauce), all the ingredients are cooked to perfection and the entertainment value more than makes up for lack of creativity in menu.
Korean
Koryo Wooden Charcoal BBQ
Great Korean BBQ and many other tasty dishes. It's not as good as grandmother's food but it's good enough to satisfy Suhi's occasional cravings for authentic Korean food.
Russian
Cinderella Bakery, Deli and Restaurant
Authentic Russian food at an amazing bargain. Order a bowl of Borcht (only $3.00) if you can, and order all the bread you like! Suhi thinks this is the best borcht she's ever had. Her other favorites include pelmeni (potato dumplings), chicken cutlet and beef stroganoff. Although the food is to die for, service can be "scary". Some say it's because we, Americans, are used to "brown-nosing" waiters. According to one reviewer, "that's how all of Russia is, so deal with it!"
Salad/Sandwich
Pluto's Fresh Food for a Hungry Universe
Cafeteria style with cute and refreshing decor. Pluto's has a great salad station consisting of everything you ever fancied in a salad. If you want something heartier, try the herb-roasted sonoma turkey as a dinner plate or sandwich.
Saigon Sandwich Shop
The best and the cheapest Vietnamese sandwich in town. Warm crisp-crusted French rolls are stuffed with shredded carrots, onions, cilantro, jalapenos and your choice of five-spice chicken, roast pork, ham, pate or pork loaf, dressed with mayonnaise and tangy vinaigrette--all for an amazingly cheap $2 to $2.25.
Seafood
Swan Oyster Depot
Mayberry-style friendliness, impeccable seafood and affordable prices--this family-owned oyster bar has earned its legendary status. Avoid high-traffic hours and bring cash.
Soul Food
Powell�s Place
When you need soul-lifting, Powell's is the place to be. Best Fried Chicken in the city.
Steakhouse
Izzy's Steaks & Chops
Juicy filet medallion with peper, cream and brandy. Delicious aged (for 21 days) New York sirloin and succulent prime rib. The sides are amazing, too. - Izzy's potato (scalloped potato gratin), creamed spinach, and roasted carrots and onions. The portion is huge, the food is excellent and the price is right. What more can you ask for?
Vegetarian
Herbivore
All vegan fare but you really won�t miss the meat. Food is delicious, healthy and cheap!
Wine
Hayes & Vine Wine Bar
Hayes & Vine is a wine connoisseur's dream. Flights of four ($12-$20) offers a great value. A menu of slightly overpriced, wine-enhancing food - olives, cheese, antipasta, smoked sturgeon (Suhi's favorite) and caviar, is available but there are so many restaurant to fit every budget in the neighborhood.
Factoid: Lexington, Tennessee, with ten restaurants for 6,000 people has more barbecue restaurants per capita than any other city in the US according to writer Terry Mancour.