Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
139
Tips
Sushi for the Whole Family
San Francisco kids have grown up with sushi, and it's not unusual to see sushi
served at lunchtime in some of the cit y's middle and upper schools. Even very
young children in the city are used to accompanying their parents on sushi out-
ings. For a fun Japanese dining experience, arrive early when the restaurant is
less busy and sit your family down at the sushi bar. Your kids will love watching
the sushi chef expertly patting the rice into oblong shapes and placing raw fish
on top, or making artistic rolls and slicing them ever so precisely with a very big
knife. Finicky eaters may prefer leaving the
hamachi
(yellowtail) or spicy tuna
rolls to their parents and sticking to cooked shrimp or vegetarian rolls. Many
sushi restaurants also serve other Japanese dishes like tempura, teriyaki chicken,
or
udon
noodles. Don't forget to order
edamame
(soybeans in the shell) to start.
They're fun to eat and healthy.
2301 Fillmore St. (at Clay St.).
&
415/922-0102.
www.crepevine.com. Kids' menu, Highchairs, boosters.
Reservations accepted for parties of 8 or more. Main courses approximately $12. Kids' menu items $4. V,
MC, AE, DISC. Daily 8am-10pm. Muni: No . 22-Fillmore bus. Noe Valley: 216 Chur ch St. (at M arket St.)
&
415/
431-4646
.
Muni: Streetcar to Castro Station. Sunset: 624 Irving St. (at 7th Ave.)
&
415/
681-5858.
Muni: N-Judah streetcar.
Ella's
AMERICAN/BREAKFAST This is one of the best places for brunch in S an
Francisco. Maybe that explains why the line at E lla's usually goes w ell out the door . The
menu changes frequently, but expect fresh baked breads, exceptional pancakes, and omelets
with appetizing fillings like sausage, mushr oom, roasted red pepper, and Gruyère. To skip
the weekend wait, come for a r egular weekday breakfast. If you just can't come b y in the
morning, lunch (think cashew egg salad on cornmeal molasses br ead) and dinner (curried
lamb stew, perhaps) are also fine times to tr y Ella's neoclassical American cuisine.
500 Presidio Ave. (at C alifornia St.).
&
415/441-5669.
www.ellassanfrancisco.com. Highchairs, boosters.
Reservations accepted for lunch only, not for brunch. Main courses $8.75-$12.25 brunch, $5.50-$16 lunch/
dinner. MC, V. Mon-Fri 7am-3pm; Sat-Sun 8:30am-2pm. Muni: No. 1-California bus to Presidio Ave.
5
Tango Gelato
Finds
ICE CREAM Like the U.S., Argentina has had its fair share
of Italian immigrants and, as a r esult, has a delicious array of gelaterias. F ortunately for
San F ranciscans, one enterprising Argentine made his (v ery long) way up nor th and
opened a gelateria in Pacific Heights. In addition to recognizable Italian flavors like
noc-
ciolo
(hazelnut) and
amaretto,
you'll find luscious South American favorites like
dulce de
leche,
an ultrasw eet caramel concoction, and coconut. You'll also find other Argentine
specialties, such as
alfajor
cookies.
2015 Fillmore St. (btw. California and Pine sts.).
&
415/346-3692.
No credit cards. Small cup $3; lar ge
cup $5.15. Mon-Thurs 11:30am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm. Muni: No. 1-California bus to Fillmore St.,
and then walk
1
/
2
block south.
2001 Thai Stick
THAI The name of this place is so bad that I passed b y it for years
before a friend who lives in the neighborhood assured me that the food is actually quite
good, and perfect for a casual family meal. H e was right. My kids gobbled up their pad
Thai and loved the spring rolls. My green curry with chicken was lightly spiced and had
the smooth creaminess of coconut milk without being too rich. I t was perfect. My hus-
band loved the pork in peanut sauce. Even better was the price.
