Marc "Stranger In A Strange Land" S.'s Profile

IMHO, this online service has shown itself to be the fastest, most reliable get your working dinner delivered to your door in San Francisco. Tonight was as good as it gets... some excellent Chinese food from Red Jade arrived within 18 minutes!

This fantastic new eatery is off the main drag of Hayes Valley, so you have to be willing to walk out of your way some what to find it. And, once you do, you'll likely agree that it's a welcome new addition for any one who loves Japanese cuisine. Delicious special sushi rolls, well-made hot food entrees (featuring short ribs and mackerel, among others), and sake, sake, sake make this a must-try night out for foodies. Very nice sized portions that are great for sharing among friends, and the small bistro feel makes this an excellent addition to a neighborhood already full of great places to eat. Typical pricing is about $30-$40 per person, but it's well worth your time and attention, and never a bad thing to spend your hard earned dollars on a new enterprise!

Best sandwich shop for your to-go lunch in Lower Haight. I recommend the BIG SHERM, which is the namesake combination sandwich that goes back to the days of the original owner in the late 90s. Today, Estela and her small staff make each order with the highest quality organic ingredients. And, this yummy whole in the wall offers quick and tasty wheat grass shots while you wait.

RECESSION BUSTER ALERT - Now here this... this place could become seriously addictive, and it may just give the Mission burrito joints a run for their money. For under $10, you can enjoy (2) large and tasty Indian wraps that just melt in your mouth, along with a side salad and yogurt. Yesterday, I chose the lamb and kebab versions, which left me just as full as I like to be for lunch. YUM! Add to that the wonderful natural light (lots of windows), casual counter service, and friendly staff, and you really cannot go wrong. I adore the simple metal plates, bowls, and cups. So refreshing to have a quality ethnic eatery in the Castro that is good, cheap and, YES, open late, too! This one will be packed for months to come.

This is a fun dining out experience where you can get great Japanese food and enjoy some unique, hip SF atmosphere. Nestled far away from the hustle of the City, Moshi Moshi is Sushi lover's delight in Dogpatch that also boasts an extensive Japanese menu with all kinds of hot entrees. It's also a very pleasant neighborhood restaurant, with friendly staff and owners on-hand to make you feel welcome. Menu-wise, the appetizers are especially notable. And, the combination of full bar, great service and an indoor/outdoor dining setup give you great options for enjoyment. Occasional live music also adds to the feeling of being out for a night on the town, without having to go to a club. Certainly, I've been there dozens of times over the years, and whenever I'm asked by others where to eat uniquely Japanese in SF, I am always reminded of Moshi Moshi as a great option. Pass it on...

Indian Oven is a fairly decent Lower Haight eatery that is best enjoyed in the quiet back room, which can accommodate large groups for dinner. Slightly on the pricey side, the food is reasonably tasty but not memorable. If you're walking by and the lineup outside is a long one (which is common), I'd keep on walking down to Haight and Webster for Rotee. Better prices, better food, and more appealing vibe. Somehow, Indian Oven just doesn't come together. It isn't nearly as enjoyable as its upscale vibe wants it to be. As a customer, you're kind of left wanting something more from the dining experience.

This is Lower Haight at its best. Lively corner location at Fillmore and Waller with terrific outdoor table seating makes for something special on sunny days. I love the vanilla latte served french style in the coffee bowl. And, I've tried most of the open faced sandwich menu - all I can say is YUM!!! You cannot go wrong with any of the pastries in the window display by the counter. Ham, cheese and butter croissants (yes, butter!) make Cafe du Soleil truly of the sun. Hail the wifi laptop crowd.

FUNNY - I celebrated my 28th birthday at Katia's back in 1996 and only recently returned here 12 years later for another delicious round of dinner time dining out. Notably, I was blown away to find that nothing much had changed at this darling Russian bistro. The small corner restaurant space is simple & unpretentious - located in a strangely wonderful quasi-Russian corridor of San Francisco near Balboa and 4th Avenue. Katia is the owner and proprietress. She cooks, hosts and comes out to visit you between courses. And, she has a memorable way with cuisine that is best characterized by the phrase upscale comfort food!  In short, COME HERE HUNGRY AND CURIOUS! You will dine among hipsters, elders, Russian language folks and other typically colorful walks of life. Your menu selections should include a selection of Katia's piroshki, eggplant caviar, pel'meni (dumplings), chicken and pork cutlets, and shashlik (lamb.) While I myself am truly crazy for blini and vareniki, these uniquely self-rolled Russian crepes & dumplings are not for every one. Many include raw but cured fish and other salty sea foods. These special dishes are for folks on the adventurous side - those seeking a TRULY AUTHENTIC national cuisine experience. Support Katia, a local with a heart and flair for cooking. Do not be turned off by the difficulties you will likely have finding parking. It's worth the effort!

Simply one of my favorite civilized cafes in San Francisco. In the past year, I've had some 15 breakfast or lunch meetings at this cafe that were either important for my work or professional in nature. This place sets a great tone for any meeting, especially if it's with some one you're meeting for the first time. The atmosphere is just casual enough and just serious enough - perhaps business casual SF-style at its best. Add in great coffee, insanely good bakery items, delicious french style open face sandwiches, and large well made salads, and like me, you might make this your second office - especially for those days when working at home just will not be productive no matter how hard you try.

Nice corner restaurant, with tasty Pakistani and Indian menu, good service and large portions. Never very crowded on week nights, so it's easy to walk up, sit down, order and get a lovely dinner with friends. One of my frustrations with our city is that San Francisco is not known for its range of Indian and Pakistani options, except for some of the awesome places down in the TenderNob. But, this is a great neighborhood restaurant that non-Lower Haighters should take note off. A good excuse to come patronize our 'hood. And, don't be too scared of the Haight and Webster location. For those of you not in the know, it's much much much safer than years gone by. :)