|
|
An oft-forgotten neighborhood for San Francisco dining, the Sunset is a long section of single residences stretching all the way to the sandy and picturesque Ocean Beach. But the straight drive to Ocean Beach is worth leaving the confines of inner San Francisco. A completely renovated Cliff House, overlooking the churning Pacific and on the site of the historic Sutro Baths, is one of San Francisco's best seafood restaurants, both for scenery and innovative dishes. At the oceanfront edge of Golden Gate Park, in the shade of a giant Dutch windmill, the Beach Chalet is a bustling spot for casual brewery cuisine and Art Deco murals in full view of the Pacific Ocean. Along the way to Ocean Beach, the Sunset offers more commendable dining options, including the award-winning PJ's Oyster Bed and Ton Kiang for dim sum.
1000 Great Hwy., San Francisco CA 94121
Come for the home-brewed beer and the incredible view of the tempestuous Pacific Ocean just across the street. With Gatsby-era murals gracing the walls and an outdoor patio on the green edge of Golden Gate Park (complete with a roaring fire at nights) San Francisco's Beach Chalet is must for seaside atmosphere and staple brewpub fare.
|
|
Chou Chou was started by a renowned French pastry chef and features the homestyle cooking of Provence and classic Parisian pastries. Garnering fame for her "Les Petits Mitron" pastry shop on Rue Lepic in the 18th arrondisment in Paris, Chef Samie Didda has brought her pastries to San Francisco at Chou Chou and she serves them up alongside classic fresh food like seafood cassolettes.
|
|
Come for the view, but stay for the food. Opened in the landmark Cliff House, the Cliff House restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual setting with world-class views. Nibble on a popover while overlooking the ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin coastline through the floor to ceiling windows, or order a salad and entree featuring fresh seafood or sustainably raised produce. The bar serves up bloody Mary's and other classic cocktails to enjoy while waiting for a table or enjoying one of San Francisco's best views.
|
|
Creole. Voted by the SF Chronicle as one of the top 50 restaurants in Northern California, PJ's Oyster Bed serves inventive Creole seafood in San Francisco Sunset District.
|
Beijing on Irving
1030 Irving St. above 11th in the Inner Sunset. Tel. 415.753.9802
$$. A clean, open, neighborhood place with top Mandarin food and an extensive menu. |
Ebisu
1283 9th Ave. in the Sunset district. Tel. 415.566.1770
Try the daily sashimi specials, if you can get a seat at this unpretentious but all-the-rage place.The tempura is exquisitely light. If you can't get a seat, try the maki-to-go. |
Ha's
Irving St. above 24th in the outer Sunset. Tel. 415.665.6033
$$. The food's not as fiery as some people like, but try the dumpling with Sichuan sauce, shredded beef in hot sauce, and spiced prawns in red garlic sauce. |
Joubert's
4115 Judah St. above 46th. Tel. 415.753.5448
$$. In case you've forgotten, the draw here is twofold. One is an excellent menu of South African fusion cuisine from the Cape Malay area. The other is the excellent wines from South Africa. |
Park Chow
1240 Ninth Ave. San Francisco, CA; Tel. 415.665.9912
Chow restaurant, which now has three locations in the Bay Area, has hit on a winning combination with high-quality comfort food, great prices, and a casual, friendly setting. The inner Sunset location continues to please the crowds with down home and darn good dishes like meat loaf, Thai noodles, pizza, and steamed mussels. |
Tasana
339 Taraval St. Tel. 415.664.7603
Lively Thai dishes prepared with care and fresh herbs. Try porpia savoey (mushrooms, chicken, onion, potato, corn, carrot and glass noodles wrapped in a thin pancake and deep fried) or tom kah gai (chicken in coconut milk soup with lemon juice, chile, mushroom and galangal). |
The Seafood and Beverage Co. at the Cliff House
1090 Point Lobos at Great Highway. Tel. 415.386.3330
$$$. You'll rediscover the range of excellent dishes, all the way from hamburgers to chicken stuffed with crab meat and teriyaki swordfish. Like the name implies, you can't get any closer to the Pacific Ocean. |
Ton Kiang
5821 Geary Blvd. San Francisco, CA; Tel. 415.386.8530
For 30 years and counting, Ton Kiang has been one of San Francisco's premier dim sum restaurants. At lunch the cavernous dining room is like rush hour as waiters wheel carts of ornate and delicious dim sum creations for your choosing. At night the restaurant serves Hakka-inspired specialties and more dim sum. |
|
