Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
130
Franciscan
AMERICAN/SEAFOOD It's all about the view here, which explains the
upside-down nature of this oddly shaped, peach-color ed structure. Stairs lead you from
the crowded wharf below into a w elcoming dining r oom, which offers bay vie ws from
practically every table. Given its location in the most heavily touristed pat of town, you'll
pay more than you should for a crab cake appetiz er ($12) or slice of halibut ($26), but
you do get a fabulous vista, friendly ser vice, and better far e than at most r estaurants in
the vicinity. The pasta and sandwiches come in at under $20, and all kids ' menu items
are $5. The kids' fish and chips is big enough for adults and comes with cray ons and
drawing materials. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, but if you want a nice lunch
without having to leav e the neighborhood, the F ranciscan may be wor th the higher
prices.
Pier 43
1
/
2
(at Embar cadero).
&
415/362-7733.
w ww.franciscanrestaurant.com. H ighchairs, boost ers.
Reservations accepted. Main courses $10-$50; k ids' menu $5. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am-11pm.
Muni: F-Market streetcar to Mason St.
McCormick & K uleto's
AMERICAN/SEAFOOD I'm not usually into extra-
large restaurants with massive menus smack dab in the most touristy par ts of town. But
this establishment, which brings well-known local restaurateur Pat Kuleto together with
the nationally renowned McCormick & Schmick's seafood restaurant chain, keeps high
standards. Overlooking the lovely Hyde Street Pier, with Alcatraz in the backgr ound, it
has one of the best views in all of San Francisco and is a good stand-by for visiting grand-
parents. The options are not especially inventive—cedar plank-smoked Alaskan salmon
and griddled Parmesan-coated petrale sole are typical dishes—but they are fresh and well
prepared. Although the menu is dominated b y seafood, it 's so long that ther e are still
plenty of choices for the fish-averse. The kids' menu includes a tasty fish and chips plate
that you'll want to polish off if y our little one doesn 't manage to . Be sure to come in
daylight to enjoy the view, but don't expect a quick meal—ser vice can be slow.
900 Nor th Point St. (bt w. Larkin and P olk sts.).
&
415/929-1730.
www.mccormickandschmicks.com.
Kids' menu, highchairs. Reservations recommended. Main courses $13-$40; kids' menu $5.35-$7.75. AE,
DC, DISC, MC, V. M on-Thurs 11:30am-10pm; F ri-Sat 11:30am-11pm; Sun 10:30am-10pm. Muni: No .
30-Stockton bus t o Larkin St., and then walk 1 block nor th, or Powell-Hyde cable car t o Beach St., and
then walk 1 block west.
5
Rainforest Cafe
Overrated
AMERICAN The phony flo wers and plastic rainfor est
complete with waterfall, aquarium, and African music in the background just cry out for
a B ticket (for those of you old enough to remember how things once worked at Disney-
land). The food at this mer chandised-to-the-hilt restaurant is strictly pedestrian: a little
fish, a little chicken, a hamburger , a steak—something for ev eryone. With 500 seats,
however, you're going to get production-line quality. The draw here is the decor, but my
suggestion is that if y ou want the fun of a tr opical storm, head for the Tonga Room at
the Fairmont Hotel. There, for a lot less money, treat the kids to snacks and an umbrella-
bedecked drink with benign rainstorms on the half-hour .
145 Jefferson St. (nex t to the Wax Museum).
&
415/440-5610.
www.rainforestcafe.com. Kids' menu,
highchairs, boosters. Reservations not accepted. Main courses $11-$29; kids' menu $6-7. AE, DC, DISC,
MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm; Fri 11am-10pm; Sat 11am-11pm. Muni: F-Market streetcar to Mason St.
MODERATE
Blue Mermaid Chowder House
AMERICAN/SEAFOOD Blue Mermaid offers a
no-nonsense menu of cho wders, sandwiches, salads, and a fe w bigger main course
options at pr etty reasonable prices. The decor plays on the r estaurant's location in The
