Here are a couple of things to know about Gary Danko (I have eaten there once when it first opened 2 or so years ago.)
You can order 3 ($55) 4 ($64) or 5 courses ($74). The chef will have a 5 course tasting menu, but you can chose your own. I remember the glazed oysters as being a standout. also the lobster. I did not like to chermoula squab so much. If you get the 5 courses, once course will be a decent sized cheese cart.
If you tell me what your hotel is, or the streets, I can tell you some fun cheap eat spots.
For Dim Sum in Chinatown I recomment Gold Mountain, a largish place on Broadway between Grant and Stockton. There are many cheaper, lower quality places that you may not like as much. I do love Yang Sing, not in Chinatown but near downtown at Rincon Annex, just South of Market.
An inexpensive place in Chinatown I always go to is Washington Bakery. Very good duck soup with shrimp dumpling, salt and pepper shrimp (large pile of it) and a large selection of jook. Nothing over 7 bucks. Washing St btwn Grant and Kearney.
Even cheaper is Hun's Wun Tun House. Get the #8 shrimp dumpling soup noodles, and a plate of chinese broccoli with oyster sauce. Quite a dive, but incredible dumplings. Lunch only, Kearney St near Clay.
Shalimar - your local tenderloin dive Indian/Pakistani. Get the tandori chicken and the lamb curry, rice and garlic nan, maybe a veg. Nothing is over $5-$6. Open for lunch, Dinner starts at 5 and is open late. Line up and order at the counter. Don't forget to get a bottle of the green cilantro sauce from the cooler. Everyone goes here. Jones Street btwn Geary and O'Farrell.
Nice breakfasts and lunch at Dotties True Blue Cafe right next door.
Osteria al Forno is a reasonable storefornt place to eat at in North Beach, for simple Italian. Get an assortment of antipasti and don't miss the roast pork in milk. Or just a sandwich on the great house made foccacia for lunch. Columbus btwn Green and Union.
For a few bucks more, Da Flora, is a charming eclectic spot that really blew me away--incredible polenta, foccacia. Columbus at
Greenwich (I think, anyway just a little past North Beach down Columbus.
It is always fun to have a family style in NB. I like La Felce for quality ($25 full dinner) Union at Stockton, or Gold Spike for atmosphere ($10-$14 full dinner) and good pot roast.  |