A Crash Course in San Francisco Dining...?

Question

My boyfriend and I (we're both in our 20s) will be visiting San Francisco next week (we've never been) and we are looking to find some dining suggestions. We'll be staying in Union Square and we'll have access to a car for one or two nights. 

I posted almost this same post before a recent trip to Seattle and the results were phenomenal (I had one of the best and most unique dining experiences ever!). 

Here's what we're looking for:

Something that’s classic San Francisco

The hidden gem

The place tourists shouldn’t know about

The out of the way spot with beautiful views

The restaurant with great food and fun staff

The cool bar where all the hipsters / locals go

The best music (jazz, etc.) night spot

The place you won’t find anywhere else

I know this is a tall order, but I know I can count on CH to help make our first trip to San Francisco a great one. Any suggestions for any of these criteria will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer

If you asked in Seattle it was under a different name because this is the first post under this name. So if you reported back what your likes and dislikes were in Seattle ... which might have been a help with your inquiry ... I'm not seeing it.

Answer

Except for the view, Bix fits your criteria perfectly.

Answer

Something that’s classic San Francisco - Tadich, Bix, or Swan Oyster Bar

The hidden gem - in my eyes, it is hardly, but Canteen is this city's Gem.

The place tourists shouldn’t know about - you think we're gonna tell you? LOL

The out of the way spot with beautiful views - doesn't really exist; the places with views are hardly out of the way. The best view in the city is Top of the Mark.

The restaurant with great food and fun staff - Incanto

The cool bar where all the hipsters / locals go - Alembic / Bourbon & Branch

The best music (jazz, etc.) night spot - Boom Boom Room, Yoshi's

The place you won’t find anywhere else - Aziza

Answer

The out of the way spot with beautiful views: the back table at Bloom's on 18th St.

The place you won’t find anywhere else: Aziza.

Answer

I like the funkiness of Liverpool Lil's. It is a little pub style place on Lyon with really good food. It is one of those "out of the way" places that many people don't know about. It is worth consideration.

Answer

Seeing this post makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong at Incanto. I've been there a half dozen times or more, and though the food is wonderful...'fun staff'?

I wouldn't say I've had bad service. Perfunctory and aloof perhaps, and I have generally no great expectations for service. It's the darndest thing.

Answer

Since you have access to a car, pack up a picnic and head over to Alameda to the St Georges Spirits tasting room. It's on the old Navy supply station. There's a picnic table outside overlooking SF and Oakland harbors. You can watch the tankers come in. Very Harold and Maude. Oh.. and the tasting of spirits is not to be missed. Absinthe makes a great souvenir.

Answer

I'll throw in my two cents for classic, only in SF:

Zuni Cafe -- Great food, Bay Area vibe. Ceasar salad, great burger if there during lunch or late afternoon or latenight bar menu.

Tadich Grill -- Claim to be the oldest restaurant west of the Mississippi. Gruff, pro waiters/bartenders who have been there forever. No reservations. Definitely order the petrale sole or the sand dabs.

If you get over to the East Bay -- A meal at the Cafe in Chez Panisse. A stop at the Berkeley Bowl.

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A Crash Course in San Francisco Dining...?

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