Down town SF restaurants to try ?

Try the lobster roll sandwich at Sam's chowder house in Half Moon bay, for hoagie/muffuletta type sandwiches try Giordano Brothers in North Beach San Francisco. My favorite Deli in San Francisco Bay Area is Genova delicatessen in both Oakland and downtown. Napa.

 

Ike's for man-sized sammiches.
Phat Philly for cheese steak.
Brenda's soul food pho po boys, gumbo & other southern/cajun-french awesomeness.

 

Alfred's in the Alley

 

+1

 

How's Tommy's for Mexican?

I hear they have an incredible tequila program and that they taste each made from scratch margarita before it's poured.

Tommy's

 

I went to Alexanders for the first time and was not impressed. It was the Sunnyvale location though. Perhaps the location in the City has it going on. Flemings (in the Stanford shopping center) is unsurpassed in my opinion.
In the city, definitely Espetus on Market street (Brazilian Steakhouse). It is clearly a step up from their San Mateo location.

The cool thing about this thread is that not only am I learning about new dining experiences in the City, but I am discovering who the cool Ferrari folks are who live nearby and enjoy fine dining!

 

For steak, I like Harris' and 5A5.

Bobo's used to be good, then they changed ownership or something and it's been dogsh*t ever since.

 

For prime rib, try SF original, House of Prime Rib on Van Ness. For quality of steaks and the best view in SF, probably anywhere, Epic Roasthouse on Embarcadero. Try their Bloody Mary...AWESOME! Any Ruth's Chris, Flemings's, and Morton's are great, but you can find these in other cities.

 

More peninsula. Manresa (after rebuild). Chez TJ and Madera. Madera having the easiest access and the hottest bar....!

SV

 

Tony's Pizza on Stockton & Columbus
Green Chili Kitchen
Ferry Building Farmer's Market

 

I wanna be that bartender!

 

I would second Tony's Pizza, as Tony is a world champion Pizza thrower and an overall nice guy. Try his "Cal Italia" pizza as this is truly unique and at one time won the world pizza challenge in Italy a few years ago.

 

Their shifts are about an hour long . . .

 

On the Peninsula (San Carlos) there is no better steak hose than Town (Townsc.com). Town blows Alexanders away hands down.

Skip Espetus altogether and head to Fogo De Chao in Santana Row, it's the gold standard for Brazilian.

Bon Appetit

 

For sushi, Akikio's on Bush st. Sit at the sushi bar and order omakase.

 

+1 for Tamarine in PA and for Fogo De Chao.

In San Francisco - I just discovered BIX as having really good food.

 

Acquerello has a "sister restaurant" called 1760 (it's at 1760 Polk St.) I took the missus there for a dinner and we were blown away. Simple food done incredibly well, served on small plates for sharing, with Michelin-star-style service. And a great wine list too. Highly recommended.