Eating San Francisco

Living in New York I have access, if not the financial capability of actually going, to some of the best, and highest rated, restaurants in the world. Upon rare and special occasions I get to slurp with the elite but mostly it’s just middle-of-the-road cuisine that still fills the bill for really good food at reasonably moderate prices. Sometimes the Amex Card gets stretched if the occasion deserves it.

However, like most people I get to indulge in something different and appealing while trav-eling, when oneself is the reason for induce-ment. San Francisco never fails to impress me with its variety of eateries, both large and small; both cheap and expensive; both glitzy and tacky. Last week was no exception. Whatever the venue, the food (and accompanying beverages) always seemed to be beyond the ordinary. I dined as follows and in proper order:

Lunch at Park Chalet (see photo).
Dinner at “Q” (grungy and basic).
Breakfast at Velo Rouge (neighborhood coffee hang-out).
Pres a Vie (drinks and hors d’oeuvres only but a gorgeous bar and a fabulous men’s room with lime-flavored soap).
Philz (coffee and cranberry pastry).
green chile kitchen (breakfast burrito…please note lower case name). Dinner at Downtown (funky with modern kitschy art on the walls and ceiling; in Berkeley).
Brunch at Park Chalet (a second visit for a special occasion).
Breakfast at Caffe Trieste (in Sausalito).
Dinner at Bacco (a very fine Italian restaurant).

I might add that at every venue the service was attentive and friendly as were the friends and/or family with whom I shared a table.