Need a quick tip!!!

[n00bchef]

I am taking my wife to San Francisco this weekend for her birthday... I would like to find a good seafood oriented restaurant. Any recommendations? I would like to avoid the uber high end restaurants, I am thinking maybe one that is $20-$40 per plate...

We head to San Francisco tomorrow afternoon so any quick tips would be appreciated... Thanks!

-Jason

[Pastry Maven]

Jason,

Depending on what "experience" you're looking for, there are a lot of restaurants to pick from:

Don't know if you've heard of/been to Thanh Long or Crustacean. Both owned by the same family, and most folks go for the roasted crab and garlic noodles. The crab can be pricey, but they also have lots of other excellent, less-expensive items on the menu. Thanh Long is on Taraval Street at about 47th Avenue, in the Sunset District. Crustacean is located on California street, between Polk and Van Ness

I've been to Swiss Louis on Pier 39 several times, and have always been pleased. It's a busy place, but the food is quite good and the service excellent (in my experience, anyway).

Then there's the Stinking Rose, in North Beach, which serves up a classic San Francisco-style Crab Cioppino. I've never been, but have heard good things from friends.

Another option would be one of the Seafood places on Fisherman's Wharf...can be somewhat "touristy" but always excellent food. Alioto's and Scoma's come to mind.

Just a few ideas to get you started...

Enjoy!

Micki

[KevinVilla]

I've been to the Stinking Rose a few times. Fun place. Their motto is "we season our garlic with food," and it's true. They actually have garlic ice cream (never had the guts to try it though).

While I've never had their seafood, everything else I've had their is pretty good. If you love garlic, be sure to try the Bagna Calda or the forty clove garlic chicken.

Also tried Thanh Long once. Excellent garlic noodles, but the garlic crab wasn't spectacular. Might've been an off night.

If you're looking for comfort food, go to the wharf. Most days, there's a line of street vendors all selling fried seafood, poboys, and cocktails. Prolly not a place to bring your wife for her bday, but still, good seafood.

[n00bchef]

Ok so after looking online quite a bit and reading all your suggestions I decided to try The Hayes St. Grill... here is the review I pulled from the internet... I will be sure to post a review here when I get back from SF on Sunday afternoon.

Hayes Street Grill
Tel: 415/863-5545
320 Hayes St
For well over a decade, this small, no-nonsense seafood restaurant (owned and operated by revered food writer and chef Patricia Unterman) has maintained a solid reputation among San Francisco's picky epicureans for its impeccably fresh and straightforwardly prepared fish. The concise menu offers a dozen appetizers -- most of which are fresh and lively salads -- a half-dozen grilled fish selections cooked to perfection and matched with your sauce of choice (Szechuan peanut, tomatillo salsa, herb-shallot butter), and a side of signature fries. Fancier seafood specials, which change with the seasons and range from mahimahi (with Vietnamese dipping sauce, baby spinach, roasted peanuts, and basmati rice) to classic paella, are balanced by a few meat-driven dishes, which may include Niman Ranch (organic and wonderful) minute steak with mustard butter and balsamic onions. Finish your meal with the outstanding crème brûlée.
Cuisine Type: Seafood
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm; Mon-Thurs 5-9:30pm; Fri 5-10:30pm; Sat 5:30-10:30pm; Sun 5-8:30pm
Reservations: Reservations recommended
Transportation: Bus: 19, 21, 31, or 38
Price: Main courses $14-$20 lunch, $16-$23 dinner
Credit Cards: AE, DC, DISC, MC, V

[DaPanMan]

got this a little late but the Fog City Diner has great cioppino...not too much $

[AprilB]

I like Bubba Gump's on the pier in Fisherman's Wharf.

Nice, not fancy...good food...

April