re: San Francisco to-do list

Fisherman's Wharf is THE tourist trap in San Francisco, so know that going in if you're going to stay there. It's probably cheaper to stay in that area, but the best hotels in town aren't there, and there's really nothing in that part of town that I would recommend other than In'N Out Burger, and the departure point for the Alcatraz tour. Tourists eat in the Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf area, it is lousy with them 24/7.

If you like to eat, you have to go to the Ferry Terminal. If you're there on a Saturday and you like to eat, you're a fool if you don't go to the Ferry Terminal farmer's market. In addition to the produce/meat vendors, there will be a bunch of vendors selling stuff ready to eat: breakfast, hamburgers, porchetta sandwiches, etc. It's incredible. I can't think of a single place in that building (stuff that's there all the time, not just during the FM) that sucks.

If you want good Italian, I have always liked Perbacco in the Financial District, A16 in the Marina, SPQR on Fillmore, and Acquarello on Sacramento if you want something intimate and romantic with a great wine list. If you're in to organs, Intcanto does that as well as anyone. I love the place, but I don't eat that shite. Ironically, none of those places are in the Italian district, North Beach. For NB, I like Rose Pistola and L'Osteria del Forno, owned and run by two lesbians, probably seats 20 people, max, but really good food.

Chinese, I like R&G Lounge, House of Nanking, Hunan Homes, Sam Wo (rough, real Chinese, you walk through the kitchen when you enter and go upstairs to the dining room and basically nobody speakey the engrish). Tong Kiang for great dim sum. It's way the frick out on Geary in the Richmond or Sunset district, I always get those two confused. Yank Sing is also good dim sum and more convenient with a couple of locations down town. If you want classic SF seafood, go to Tadich Grill for cioppino, or Sams. Both are super old school with waiters who will probably be rude to you.

Local places I like: Town Hall, Salt House for comfort food. I think the owner/chef is actually from Baton Rouge (but it's better than anything you'll find in BR). Canteen is a very small place with fantastic food. Dennis Leary, the owner/chef, is usually behind the counter cooking every table. Nopa is really, really good also, and I recommend it highly. Laurence Jossel is a really good chef and a very nice guy. If you want really high end, there's Gary Danko, The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton, and Michael Mina. All are awesome Michelin starred kind of places.

Take a look at this list, it's pretty accurate.

38 essential SF restaurants

If you have questions about other specific places, let me know, I'm happy to help if I can.

SF is a fricking terrible taxi town, so know that in advance. It's particularly bad form 5-6 pm or so if you're in the financial district. And if you're out in one of the outer districts after dinner, it can be a pain in the arse to get a taxi. And the cab drivers are almost universally assholes.

Go to Alcatraz, it's pretty cool. Spend time in the neighborhoods where people live. The Marina, Cow Hollow, the Mission, are all pretty cool with good restaurants, shops, people watching, etc. The gay pride parade is the day before you arrive, so you're going to miss that. It's.....an experience. Seriously, it makes Mardi Gras in N.O. look like a revival.