Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
drink, for just $7. Seriously—as much as you think you're pigging out here, the
dollar tally is still unlikely to break one digit. They make and sell their own hot
sauce, too. Not all the staff speak good English, but good enough.
A second dim-sum option, and one that perhaps has a more aloof service staff,
is the slightly more expensive
Gold Mountain Restaurant
(644 Broadway, at
Stockton;
%
415/296
-
7733; AE, MC, V).
If you can tolerate the slightly more non-
touristy energy at Dol Ho, you'll find better food there.
THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT
The power players of the city dine here, among the skyscrapers and the oldest
parts of town, so it's a better locale for finding a chic wallet-drainer than a bar-
gain. But there are a few bright spots. Despite the businessy crowd, places remain
open for evening dining.
$$-$$$
Bring your eyeglasses to
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
(1
Harrison St., at Embarcadero;
%
415/243
-
8246; www.gordonbiersch.com; Sun-
Thurs 11:30am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11:30am-2am; AE, MC, V),
because the view of
the Bay Bridge is remarkable. In fact, it's the major reason why you'd want to kick
back here for a while, nursing a homemade brew. The service can be lame, but I'd
still pick this successful microbrewery chain as a nice spot to raise a beer, even if
there is better food elsewhere. As there aren't many other places to eat in this part
of town, and places with views are rare in general, this joint gets a nod. The grub
consists of heightened versions of bar food, about $11 to $17. To fit in, order a
beer served in a glass boot.
Taylor's Automatic Refresher
555
9
(One Ferry Building at Market and
$$
Embarcadero, Space 6;
%
866/328
-
3663; www.taylorsrefresher.com; daily
10:30am-10pm; AE, MC, V)
has, since 1949, operated as a beloved drive-in burger
joint in Napa County's St. Helena (p. 230). When the Ferry Building re-opened
as a food destination focusing on local brands, it was invited to open a San
Francisco version at the northern, city-facing end of the Marketplace. Diners sit
on stools at long, communal tables, where the view is of the historic F-line trams
trundling by. Ingredients are fresh and meals are made to order, but it still has the
heart of a '50s-style drive-in, with a full slate of fat burgers (the Wisconsin
Sourdough [$9] has mushrooms, bacon, barbecue sauce, cheddar, on grilled sour-
dough), excellent $5 shakes (using real malt, if you like), and plenty of options
that won't weigh you down with grease (including seared ahi-tuna burgers [$14]
and crunchy Chinese chicken salad [$9]). The spicy tomato soup ($6) is tasty
(and so rich you could use it as a sauce) but served in impossible-to-finish por-
tions. Wines are from Sonoma and Napa, but the scene is generally much more
kid-friendly than the rarified gourmet environment in the rest of the Marketplace.
Prices and menu here are exactly the same as in Napa, so don't hold off on a visit
thinking you'll save in the sticks.
$$-$$$
High-design decor and affordable Thai food is the stock-in-trade of
Osha Thai Restaurant
55
(4 Embarcadero, behind the Hyatt;
%
415/788
-
6742;
www.oshathai.com; 11am-11pm; AE, MC, V),
a chic but approachable place where
you're as likely to drink a specialty cocktail as you are to enjoy a pad Thai. Menu
