Food in San Francisco: Places We Won't Revisit

San Francisco has some of the best food in the world. I say that after having lived in Manhattan. There are many, many places that provide truly excellent eats.

But there's also more tolerance for restaurants with low standards. Places that get away with a level of quality that is just not up to the prices they charge. There are many restaurants that would get chased out of town in New York by the more competitive place down the street, but thrive here.

(The worst: places that get by on location. For example: The Four Seas restaurant in Chinatown. Our experience there was terrible. Do not go, under any conditions.)

We've also experienced other restaurants here that are consistently voted "best" but ... maybe coast a bit. Mamacita's on Chestnut? We arrived two minutes before 5 p.m., and -- along with the other folks who'd shown up a few minutes early -- were treated as if we were imposing on the somewhat unfriendly greeters. Quite rude of us to show up, hungry with cash in hand.

I love San Francisco's laid back attitude, but ... waiters, if you see a hungry-looking guy push away his plate with more than half left uneaten, and he makes a face when you ask if you should box it, you might want to ask if it was okay. Because it wasn't.

Bar Crudo on Divisadero? I like the look. The food was fine, though not fantastic. But we stopped at appetizers instead of staying for dinner because your waitress showed up with her personal issues on display. I do not care if your boyfriend is a jerk, give me the damn horseradish without rudeness ... and I won't write out a note to your boss on the credit card receipt about your rudeness. When you're the type of restaurant that gets by on vibe ... create a positive vibe.

Above: a place I will be going back to, David's Delicatessen on Geary.

A Second Try

Another day, another attempt to get a decent rainboots shot.

Food in San Francisco: Farmer's Market

Here's the recipe:

First, go to the Farmer's Market. (They're everywhere, but you'll actually have to go outside.)

Second: bring cash. Not a lot, because the entire point is to get really good food for a fairly cheap price.

Third: buy Heirlooms. They'll look funny, because you're used to those bright red, unbruiseable things that are bred for shipping. Ignore the ugly exterior, as these are for eating rather than display.

Fourth: get a Sourdough Round. Again, ugly is good.

Now: slice the tomatoes. Put them on the sourdough bread. Add something to it, like salt and pepper. Maybe, maybe: put mayo on the bread, or drizzle olive oil on the tomatoes. Improvise, just don't cover up the taste.

Food in San Francisco: Gussie's

Sometimes, things should just be fried. Went to Gussie's Chicken and Waffles and tried catfish sliders and fried okra.

Both were good, but did not live up to fond memories formed in restaurants around 116th Street in NYC. Still, reasonable prices and good flavor, so a positive experience. Learned there's a type of drink called Soju. Will research this further....

Above: iPhone snapshot. The iPhone is not exactly good for macro work.

Food in San Francisco: Pride of the Mediterranean

Needed vegetarian chow, on a low low low budget.

Found Pride of the Mediterranean. Nice selection of dishes, several vegetarian, and Lebanese beer as well.

We weren't adventurous enough to try the hookahs, though.

Food in San Francisco: Frjtz

In the Hayes Valley, stumbled upon Frjtz. A lot of possiblities there, with a Belgian angle on things.

Above: The Matisse is a crepe with smoked salmon, crème fraiche, and chives. (Most items on the menu are named after artists. I guess that's a good idea, maybe.)