arenn's San Francisco Dining Guide (Archival Page)

Flying Saucer (***) $$ Casual/Informal
1000 Guerrero at 22nd, (415) 641-9955

This ecletic eatery's name must refer to the exotic plate presentations that look like they were beamed in from a parallel dimension. The food is good, if a bit pricey. The desserts are a particular highlight, with swirls and towers of sugar everywhere. Be warned, this place is always packed, so be sure to have reservation.

The Fly Trap (**) $$ Casual/Informal
606 Folsom at 2nd, (415) 243-0580

Yawn. Standard upscale pan-American cuisine in a faux-historic atmosphere. Not bad, but nothing to write home about.

Michelangelo's Cafe (**) $$ Casual
579 Columbus at Union, (415) 986-4058

Decent pasta and other Italian dishes. This tiny and cramped North Beach establishment does not take reservations and always has a line that extends out the door. Grab a bottle of beer at the liquor store next door for the wait and enjoy the complimentary entertainment from the the local homeless folks trying to wheedle money out of would be diners. (And I'm not being cruel here. The homeless really do try to entertain you to earn tips). A good place to take out of town guests to convince them they are going someplace "hot and happening" - which is exactly how I first experienced it.

Scoma's (**) $$ Casual
Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 47, (415) 771-4383
588 Bridgeway St., Sausalito, (415) 332-9551

Standard seafood awaits at these two ultra-touristy hangouts. With entree's poking at the $20 range, it's probably a bit pricey for what you get. I must admit that my Midwestern friends liked this a lot better than I did. The Sausalito location has an awesome view of the city from a pier built out onto the Bay.

Sol y Luna (**) $$ Casual
475 Sacramento at Battery, (415) 296-8696
A nothing special tapas place. It is loud and packed, but does have live Flamenco dancing, which is something I guess. The food is not bad, but is certainly nothing to get excited about.

Squat and Gobble (***) $ Casual

This Lower Haight cafe has awesome crepes and a great atmosphere. A near perfect late breakfast spot. Go at mid-morning on a weekday and try to figure out for yourself how the crowd of people here manages to feed themselves and pay rent aparently without a job.

The Stinking Rose (***) $$ Casual
325 Columbus at Broadway, (415) 781-7673

When friends from Louisville told me they'd been here, I instantly put this self-styled North Beach "garlic restaurant" on my do not go to list. But I got roped in and was pleasantly surprised. The food was good and the service was excellent. Everything comes with massive amounts of garlic (just huge cloves just sitting on top of every dish). If you like massive amounts of garlic like me that's great, otherwise you're gonna hate this place. Bring some mouthwash to use immediately afterward. Ostensibly, the term "stinking rose" is nickname of garlic, but I've never heard that anyplace else.

Thep Phanom (**) $$ Casual
400 Waller at Fillmore, (415) 431-2526

This Lower Haight Thai joint is just the sort of moderately upscale neighborhood place I like. Good Thai food at reasonable prices with decent service makes it worth the drive. If you live in the neighborhood, you probably already go here all the time, especially if you're one of those damn yuppies that are taking the place over.

Tomasso's (**) $$ Casual
1024 Kearny at Broadway, (415) 398-9696

Decent Italian food is served up at this small and crowded North Beach eatery. It's located next to one of the ubiquitous North Beach strip clubs, but don't let that put you off. The pizza seems to be well regarded in the city, but if you're from a real pizza town like Chicago or New York you will be disappointed, so stick to the other dishes instead. Be warned, if you don't get there early, expect a long wait.

World Wraps (**) $ Casual
2257 Chestnut at Pierce (unrated), (415) 563-9727
2227 Polk at Green (unrated), (415) 931-9727
201 University Ave., Palo Alto, (415) 327-9777

If you've never had a pesto chicken burrito, this is place to get one. While fine dining this is not, it is a great place to just grab a quick and moderately healty bite to eat.