Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
134
One taste of the delectable offerings, and you may decide meat is overrated. Start with
baked goat cheese with grilled br ead and golden beets, and follo w it with risotto with
snap, snow, and E nglish peas, or y ellow vegetable curr y with cashe w jasmine rice. F or
dessert, how about a warm fr uit cobbler with buttermilk ice cr eam? Vegan appetizers,
entrees, and desser ts—like egg-fr ee, dair y-free chocolate mousse—ar e also av ailable.
Most nights ar e a la car te, but on S aturday night a $49 four-course prix-fix e dinner is
served. Some folks gripe that meatless far e should be less expensiv e, but I feel G reens'
prices are in line with vegetarian options at any upscale restaurant. If you can't get a table
at lunchtime, pick up sandwiches fr om the G reens to G o takeout counter and hav e a
picnic overlooking the bay.
Building A, F ort Mason (at Ba y St.).
&
415/771-6222.
www.greensrestaurant.com. Highchairs, boosters.
Reservations recommended. Main courses $8-$14 lunch, $16-$23 dinner; prix-fixe
(Sat night only) $49. AE,
DISC, MC, V. Lunch Tues-Sat noon-2:30pm; dinner Sun-Fri 5:30-9pm; Sat prix-fixe dinner 5:30-9pm; brunch
Sun 10:30am-2pm. Muni: No. 30-Stockton bus to Laguna St. and transfer to the no. 28 bus to Fort Mason.
Presidio Social Club
AMERICAN One of a handful of r estaurants in the lo vely
Presidio National Park, this old army barracks has been revamped to feel like a charming
1930's officers ' club . Weathered windo w shutters, potted plants and a white-washed
interior provide an air y, friendly feel that makes families feel w elcome—provided they
come for a w eekend brunch or early in the ev ening, before the bar fills up with adults
swigging classic cocktails. The American “comfort food” menu offers plenty of options
for the little ones, like fish and chips or an extra-fancy sloppy J oe's made with American
Kobe-style beef . O ther nostalgic menu items, for those so inclined, include liv er and
onions or beef Stroganoff on egg noodles. Mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and sautéed
spinach are typical sides. M ore adventurous eaters can look to the appetiz er menu for
inspiration; they'll find tuna poke, steak tar tare, and even shrimp fritters guaranteed to
be too spicy for young palates. My family and I like the Presidio Social Club for its loca-
tion inside the national par k and for its fun, old-time feel. Although some menu items
are quite tasty, we wouldn't come here for the food alone.
Building 563 Rutger St. (in the P residio, just inside the L ombard Gate).
&
415/885-1888. www.presidio
socialclub.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $18-$23 dinner , $10-
$16 brunch. V, MC, AE. Dinner Sun- Thurs 5:30-9:30pm; F ri-Sat 5:30-10:30pm; brunch Sat-Sun
10am-2pm. Muni: No. 43-Masonic bus to Lombard and Lyon sts. Walk through Lombard Gate into Presi-
dio; restaurant uphill to the left.
5
MODERATE
A16
ITALIAN/PIZZA This hopping Chestnut S treet locale quickly established
itself in the B ay Area's dining scene. I t's named after the motor way that transv erses the
Italian region of Campania, home to Naples. As one might expect, A16's most acclaimed
specialty is its wood-o ven-fired Neapolitan pizza, which could blo w away y our young-
sters' pr econceptions of what pizza is all about. O rder a “ pizza marinara, ” with just
tomato, or egano, garlic, and oliv e oil, and they 'll be amaz ed that something without
melted cheese could taste so good. Of course, there are mozzarella-topped pizzas as well.
The rest of the menu is also impressive (and changes seasonally). Dishes like house-made
fennel sausage with grilled br ead or wild salmon with basil, almonds, and lemon ar e
deliciously inspired by southern Italian cuisine. For dessert, your options might include
ricotta almond mousse or warm chocolate haz elnut cake. Although the menu is mor e
limited at lunch, it may be the best time to bring younger children. They'll enjoy watch-
ing the pizzas being made or drawing on the paper-co vered tables. The dinner scene is
usually too noisy and grown-up for all but the hippest teenagers.
