THE MOST SAN FRANCISCO BLA BLA BLA

As you would expect my reaction to SF Gate's photo eassy entitled The most 'San Francisco' restaurants: The new classics is a big gaping hoohah!
I'm not into hip. High fallutin' and inventive poseurism irritates me. And several of these restaurants I can't afford to eat at anyway.

Besides, I've got my own list. It's less pretentious, more working class and honest.

SAM'S
618 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94133.
415-391-1539
An excellent burger in a clean but seedy ambiance (it's near a dozen residential hotels and several "night clubs", on Broadway in North Beach), this may very well be the best place to take a date or your out-of-town relatives. Anthony Bourdain liked it. Late night is best.


華盛頓茶餐廳
WASHINGTON BAKERY AND RESTAURANT
733 Washington Street
San Francisco, CA 94108.
415-397-3232
A nice interpretation of the Hong Kong chachenteng phenomenon, with some hipper more western dishes than normal. Plus HK milk tea, and if you ask for it, Portuguese Chicken Rice. Or you could get the pineapple bun porkchop sandwich.


永興餅家茶餐廳
AA BAKERY & CAFE
1068 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94108.
415-981-0123
Some of the best Chinese baked goods there are, bustling. Great cakes.
Elderly regulars at the tables enjoying the afternoon.
Fellow villagers and eccentrics.
Hot bevs.


新光
SUN GWONG
1400 Jackson Street
San Francisco, CA 94109.
415-673-9478
New ownership since two years ago, excellent urban Canto food, daily lunch specials.
A delightful neighborhood restaurant.


小巴黎咖啡室
LITTLE PARIS COFFEE SHOP
1131 Stockton Street
San Francisco , CA 94108.
415-982-6111
A classic hangout, new location. The old one is turning into the Chinatown Subway stop. Get your sandwich here, or your noodle soup. Plus a Vietnamese coffee. Watch the world go by.


荷里活茶餐廳
NEW HOLLYWOOD BAKERY & RESTAURANT
652 Pacific Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94133.
415-397-9919
Rambunctious old people snacking on HK pastries, and lovely tomato porkchops over rice (蕃茄豬扒飯 'faan ke chyu baa faan'). Good HK milk tea.


城景
CITY VIEW RESTAURANT
662 Commercial Street
San Francisco, CA 94111.
415-398-2838
Dim sum in the business district. Top notch.


BELL TOWER
1900 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109.
415-567-9596
Pub food. A great burger, French onion soup, chops.
A good place for dining with a friend.
Educated wine selection.


Real people. Real food.



==========================================================================
NOTE: Readers may contact me directly:
LETTER BOX.
All correspondence will be kept in confidence.
==========================================================================