http://www.escapefromnewyorkpizza.com/

333 Bush (btw Kearny & Montgomery)

First note that I will not often stop to talk about chain fast food pizza. 

This is an entry about the wonderment that comes from just looking up.  I find that relaxed people will do just that.  They are not in a hurry, they take their time.  They notice the sky is blue today (this is unusual because it is San Francisco).  They wonder how the skyline will look in a few decades with 17 more glass buildings.  These lucky individuals see things that the speedy passer-by has become immuned to.  So now somebody please tell me, why can't we be looker-uppers during the week?  There's so much to discover!  Now consider me.  A rather clumsy person, who out of nothing more than courtesy, not wanting to trip into people, combined with a fear of ruining her flats with feces, has trained herself to always look down.  But on this particular day, she has time.  She is hungry.  She has 20 minutes until what soon becomes known as that traumatizing doctor's appointment.  She sets off for lunch and ends up seated with a slice of pesto pizza.  She has a penchant for both pesto and pizza; combined the temptation is 2% too much.  She takes her first bite, and in looking up, sees for the first time giant poetry on the wall of this otherwise average looking pizza joint.  Now that's different, she thinks.  She reads the length of the verse, then reads it again.  She still has 10 minutes after all.  Finishing up her last bite, she turns to throw away her plate, and she sees another verse on the opposing wall.  Cool, almost like a museum...but there are probably hundreds and hundreds of people who order a slice and turn right back around and leave, without looking up, without noticing.  Readers, please pay attention to the decor.  Someone has worked hard to put it there for your viewing pleasure.  Thank you.

www.lecharm.com

315 5th St
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 546-6128

In my first entry, I took a picture of a chandelier that made an impression on me.  Here again I've chosen to pay tribute to another illumination.  Growing up, my father was a stickler for good, strong lighting, and although he would not approve of this photo, I have found that his extremist fluorescent tendencies have actually enhanced my appreciation for a softer, smoother ambiance.  (Nobody likes to see the pores of the person inhaling French food in front of them, agree with me here!).  Le Charm was a surprising SoMa find.  It was a gamble certainly, as I had never been before and had chosen it to be the venue of my most loyal reader's birthday bash!  Quite daunting, but I'm pleased with the result.  Le Charm charges only a modest corkage fee.  The coziness of the room, tucked away from the grime of the street it sits on, is so pleasant that you almost forget that you've had French food before.  The back patio looks promising too, for rental and for warmer weather.  The staff is gracious and kind; that makes for half the memorableness I would say.  I have only fond memories here.  Happy Birthday, and you know who you are!

(Matt, Kim, Luci, Jasemin, Wendy, Randy)

545 Mission St., San Francisco, CA

415.543.8900

http://www.salthousesf.com/

I finally made it to Salt House.  The restaurant, rather inconspicuous from the street, is actually quite large and boasts an upstairs room as well as a main dining hall, all dedicated to an ambiance worthy of the seafood it sells.  It's hard to tell, but this picture actually represents part of the "at-sea" theme, as the waiters bring the bread to the table, wrapped in brown paper, as if it is the catch of the day.  The bread is good, but the food is even better, surprisingly flavorful and fresh for a place that so few people even see as they bustle past on the busy street.  This was a night of fine dining, work colleagues, and special occasions.  Here's to a paycheck that can buy a nice dinner for two.  CL, I know the appetizers scared you away, but I wonder if you'll give the place a second try?

(AH)

http://www.schnitzel-haus.net/

294 9th Street, San Francisco, 94103

Today, at work of all places, I found myself in a conversation with Wort Up Brewery http://www.wortup.com/ about Schnitzelhaus, and I found myself craving schnitzel (even after three consecutive bbqs this past weekend).  There are not a lot of recommendable foodie pit stops between SoMa and the Mission, so please stop here and receive dinner and even a little entertainment for free!  The rowdy crowds, the theme-park style music, the animated owner--tip: he is even more animated if you can manage to bust out the native tongue!, the glass boots (not mugs) full of beer...there are several factors of success for this bustling diner, but it is better to experience it yourself than have me finish this list.  Now, a little more on the beer in this joint.  There is nothing wrong with drinking beer out of a shoe, as long as that beer is Franziskaner!  Now, I have two good German friends who have personally vouched for this beer!  So, three Germans in a row cannot possibly be wrong, can they?  Folks, I am not even passionate about beer like the rest of you, but I will put Franziskaner second only to Wort Up http://www.wortup.com/.  And now you've learned how to spell Schnitzel to boot! (thanks for laughing at the pun). 

(MB, Jasemin)

335 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 397-9222

http://www.michaelmina.net/

Well I must say, the hype killed it for me.  As a third child, I couldn't help but love the trio plating concept, but honestly, I expected more.  Presentation isn't everything, as you can see from my melting dessert.  On this particularly warm evening, while awaiting my very late friend (ahem jadedpalette.com), I happened to be seated next to a young sous chef from Vancouver.  An ambitious foodie targeting his own restaurant by age of 30 (4 years to go), this friendly gentleman patiently endured the two of us in our quest to better understand the back ends of restaurants of the world.  He was on his third foodie tour of San Francisco, and because he shared several similar insights into great restaurants and had ventured out on his birthday to dine solo at this famous spot in Union Square, we couldn't help but add him to our party (after all, it was his birthday, and any decent human being would've done the same); and so the trio enjoyed three trio pre fixe courses.  And eagerly planned out the next foodie journey.

(WN, unnamed rising star chef from Vancouver)

 1 Ferry Building
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 861-8032

Art tea is no ordinary brew.  Served in a wine glass to showcase its delightful presentation, one can watch the splendor of the unfolding flower while contemplating entrees to come.  Of course, if you're here because you've forgotten that the other Ferry building restaurants close up shop early on the weeknights, then you must also be content to have snapped up the last two consecutive barstools amidst a row of other fine diners.  The bar is a nice spot for an elegant weeknight bite and bit of chit chat.  Dallas, Los Angeles, London, just a few of the cities we're thinking about tonight.  And the babies we remember in each one.  Why does the world seem so large and yet so small at the same time?  Thoughts are more than welcome.  In the meantime...Copenhagen...Sydney perhaps...here we come. 

Chances of coming back: Having a reservation is a good idea, otherwise get cozy in the lounge while you wait two hours.

Why here: Elaborate drinks, hip crowd, guaranteed good food, the satisfaction of actually having a reservation, perhaps, the need for a mid-week pick-me-up?

Belly buster?: Save room for dessert; it's always a tight squeeze by this point...but so worth it.

(Wendy)

655 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

(415) 495-3064 or 3065

Kang hae fat choi.  Anyone who wants to offer a better phoenetic spelling, please do so...but Happy Rat New Year!  There's plenty to celebrate, and wanting to do it properly, the waitress is quickly handed a cell phone to talk to a Cantonese-speaking mother on the other side of the country.  What follows is a clay pot of pork and eggplant, a "lucky" tofu dish, a "lucky" noodle dish (noodles = long life, duh), and finally a complimentary red bean based "lucky" dessert.  Though the rather entertaining dinner conversation is under wraps, rest assured that the hysterically giggly group of girls are not much of a disturbance, seated apart from the rest of the diners, closer to the half of the giant space that is empty (pictured here).

Chances of coming back?: For quality dim sum, without having to schlep to Chinatown, heck yea!

Why here?: The large space can accommodate wedding parties...and since it is in SoMa, there is plenty of free parking after 7. 

Belly buster: Just perfect for a Chinese New Year feast.

(Karen, Bonnie, Lucinda)

The concept sounds good: duck prosciutto.  In theory at least...little gamey, little strong for some people's taste, but hey, they probably don't have it in Texas so get your fill here.  Coco500 is the kind of place you'll eventually try since people are always curious about it.  The menu is fresh, the decor minimal-- four paintings reminiscient of the seasons remind you that this is a cozy place where you can eat at all year round.  The wood paneling is lovely and overall, there's a nice warm feeling that pervades.

Chances of coming back?:  Pretty good fine dining experience.  Maybe if someone else is treating...like the boss. 

Why here?:  It's the perfect intersection of neighborhoody yet nice for all those SoMa employees out there waiting for their friends to return from the peninsula. 

Belly Buster:  They won't hound you for ordering light tonight, just one appetizer, salad, and pizza, please, to share. 

(Anne)

330 first street, (between folsom and harrison), 415-777-4200 

Oh to have lived walking distance and never even have known it was there!  A relative newcomer to SOMA, this place is modern, elegant, and interestingly enough, full of more counter space than tables.  Think marble.  Think crystal.  Think white.  Think clean and modern.  Think about impressing someone.  And think about how the lighting would change with each meal.  What a great find.  Come quick, before the One Rincon residents move in and it becomes a 2-hour wait.  Thanks for making SoMa a little more hip.

Chances of coming back: Want to try breakfast and lunch next!

Why here?: Because you want breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  Because there is that table that seats 12 that is hidden from view.  Because you need to impress your boss.  Because you love hidden gems with easy parking.  Because you need to stock up on wine and they have a shop attached to the dining space.  If nothing else, because you possibly feel like buying a magazine...yes, they sell the most recent editions at the front.

Belly buster: Great 3-course pre fixe set-up for large groups.

(Jean and almost 20 other people)

 1581 Webster St # 206, San Francisco - (415) 922-7765

Eclectic little cafe, but cute nonetheless.  Be careful not to pour your soy sauce on the books and magazines that surround you within these tight walls.  Despite it's un-original name--as it's named after it's physical location in Japantown--this spot offers a good weekday dinner full of rather interesting creations.  From traditional donburi to spaghetti?? concoctions, the cook nevertheless aims to please.  Special note, if you insist on extra sauce; the cook may come out and lecture you that he knows his stuff better than you as he reluctantly delivers.

Chances of coming back: Quick and easy dinner if you make it inside.  Sure, why not.  Especially if you're feeling too lazy to make a decision on any of the usual spots.

Why here?: Japanese spaghetti...just for fun.

Belly Bust Factor: You'll leave with the perfect level of fullness...but probably craving dessert.

(Amy C. with an "e")

1581 Webster St # 275 San Francisco CA

415-929-7732

Chances are, you just ate in J-town, so you probably just finished a light and healthy dinner.  Time for a little indulgence.  Walk across the bridge to the very end of the more crowded side of Japantown and turn left; by now you've burned off enough calories to warrant the treat...perhaps not.  But it's a light treat.  Buy a crepe.  Fill it with ice cream, or fruit, and/or gooey goodness.  Watch the magic as the crepe forms before your very eyes.  And then sit on the benches outside and just let the happiness fill you.  Yum. 

Chance you'll come back: 100% 

Why here?: An easy late night treat for anyone of any age, this is like the beacon guiding you home as you wander the dimly lit corridors of J-town.

Belly buster?: messy but delectable treat; perfect for sharing