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 | A Good Time at the Barracks Walk into Presidio Social Club and step back in time. Set in a historic barracks building a century old, this spacious meeting/drinking/dining spot charms and promises a good time as easily as it could have sixty years ago. Of the three just-opened Presidio establishments, including La Terrasse and Pres A Vi, Presidio Social Club is the newest and most casual of the national forested bunch. The restaurant serves classic American fare -- solid comfort food with an occasional departure -- and offers a relaxed and convivial ambiance, attracting the neighboring Presidio/Pacific Heights and Marina clientele.More | | | A newcomer to the Presidio, PSC gives a flashback feel in sync with its historic site. The ambiance is at once animated and relaxed, with plenty of stimulation both visually and on the palate. The drink list references the era of the Pimm's Cup and the Manhattan, and for the most part, the classic American fare is sumptuous with few misses. Some of our favorites include the crab "cupcakes," the house chopped salad, and Kobe beef burger. Though Pres A Vi and La Terrasse have also recently opened in the Presidio, Presidio Social Club seems to be winning the popularity contest. It’s certainly got my vote.More | | | Never having been to a German beer garden, I can only imagine it to be like Suppenkuche, with perhaps many more tipsy souls in the surrounds. With few Bavarian restaurants in the city, this one does it right, with a folksy but cool atmosphere that is candlelit and furnished with pine bench seating. An impressive list of beers includes pilsners, wheat beer, bock beer and a few Belgians to boot. Speaking of boot, if you go with a group of friends and want to make it a true communal experience, request the 2-liter boot to guzzle from. Keeping in line with the authentic brews, the fare is hearty with lots of meat and potatoes.More | | | Don't mind the overly greasy spoon vibe here where home-style Cantonese and Mandarin are served up. That feeling easily subsides once you catch sight of the famously gargantuan pot stickers, a true meal in themselves. This neighborhood favorite along the cable car track presents portions that are consistently fit for a family -- and make for great leftovers. Though some plates are hit-or-miss such as the Chop Suey, which we don't dare go near, or the soups which are less than mediocre, other dishes like the ginger beef with green onions or the simply sauteed bean thread with spinach are must-haves.More | | | Tucked in a cozy prime spot overlooking the Presidio gate, this lil' pub feels like it hasn't changed in decades, its interior characterized by deep dark wood and walls covered with old photos of local figures. Offering up solid fish and chips, a mean burger, and other usual pub fare till 1am, it draws a late been-out crowd. When the weather heats up, whether it’s a lazy afternoon or brunch time, expect to see crowds vying for the outdoor seating.More | | | Dim sum aficionados flock to Ton Kiang for its regaled delicate dumplings like the siu mai and the shrimp balls. But just about every dish wheeled by is a spectacle for the eyes and stomach. And they taste even better than they appear. Being a traditionalist, I opt for the winning barbecued pork buns, daikon cake, and shrimp blanketed in wide rice noodles, but there are always plenty of new creative dishes waiting to be tried. And the best part is, dim sum is served until 10:30 at night, so it’s not just for brunch anymore.More | | | Francophiles will love the food but hate the aggravatingly slow wait staff and kitchen at this Pascal Rigo outpost on Russian Hill. However, the classic French bistro fare is so good that it keeps us coming back. Le Petit Hamburger is Frenchified with caramelized onions and Roquefort, accompanied by crispy frites. On a nice day, request an outdoor street-side table, and order a bottle of rose with your steak tartare or decadently cheesy baked macaroni. Just make sure the maitre'd doesn’t let someone steal your table like he did with us.More | | | Neighborhood sushi places are a dime a dozen, but the good ones like Sushi Rapture are purely luck of the draw. Housed in a spot haunted by the bad feng shui of several failed Chinese restaurants, Sushi Rapture has brought new life to this corner of Nob Hill, featuring delectable rolls like the Swamp Roll, a combination of tuna, cucumber and avocado topped with seaweed salad, and the Snake Roll -- spicy tuna with salmon and an interesting and complementary addition of cilantro. Don't miss Happy Hours 6 days a week from 3:30pm-6pm, when a California roll and a cold beer cost a mere $5.More | | | Of all the noodle houses in Japan Town, Mifune still ranks best in my book. Amidst the many restaurants in the Japan Center, this noodle emporium has lines out the door at lunch and dinner just about everyday of the week. Open almost 30 years and still going strong, it offers over 30 choices of hot or cold udon and soba noodle soups, topped with tempura, vegetables, or meats. For under $10, it's a delicious steal of a meal for dinner a la carte, or combination lunch specials. On a cold foggy night, these perfect heart-warming brothy affairs hit the spot.More |  | Hot off the Printing Press The guys behind Town Hall and Postrio have done it again. Located in a 1930s printing house, the 75-seat Salt House is a tall, warm space with a lived-in feel, despite its recent opening in October 2006. Notorious for excellent service and haute foodie cuisine respectively, GM Doug Washington and chefs Steven and Mitchell Rosenthal have given the historic building at Mission and 2nd a facelift, providing San Francisco with another solid option for high-end casual dining.More |
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