I will be in SF (staying downtown @ Courtyard Marriott) from April 9-20 for a business trip. I should be fairly free on weeknights and evenings and wanted to compile a list of must stop places. I know City Beer and Toronado already and will be returning. I have been to Monk's Kettle but will probably pass on that one this time around. I have also been to Magnolia and will probably go again. Other than those places, what are the must sees in terms of shops, bars, and restaurants? Also, I won't have a car, so it will be either walking, cab, or public transport. Finally, if anyone wants to meet up for a beer one of those nights (as I will be in SF alone for 2 weeks with nothing to do except work/sleep/eat/run), let me know!
The Giants are going to be at home the 13th-18th and if you've never been before I highly recommend going to a game at AT&T and getting a few beers at the Public House (attached to the ballpark), its a really good beer bar, and (last year at least) you can bring a couple good beers into the stadium (they have Blind Pig often). The stadium is beautiful, look for 3rd deck seats on the third base side, it has an amazing view of the bay, and the seats are close enough to see the game.
I also might be down to SF again for work during that time frame (I'll know next week). If you want to do an IP trade, meet up for a pint, or catch a ballgame let me know. I am planning on going to a game regardless. Cheers!
Dang, I'll be there from April 11-14, but am busy each night with the wife's business events (at least I get to tag along for free). Otherwise, it'd be cool to catch up with some left coast BAs.
OakedCanuck, I would definitely be down to grab some beers and see a game. Did you have a night in mind? I could do Friday or Sunday...
Also, please let me know if I'm missing anything... I have walking(ish) distance from my hotel: Thirsty Bear, 21st Amendment, City Beer Store, La Trappe, Rogue Public House, Church key, Anchor Brewing, Amsterdam Cafe And a short cab: Toronado, Healthy Spirits, Magnolia, Alembic, Suppenkuche, Social Kitchen and Brewery, Amenesia, Zeitgeist, Speakeasy Am I missing anything? Are any of those not worth it? I have 2 weeks to kill plus get a daily stipend for food and drinks, too! As for restaurants, I was looking at Slanted Door, Crab House 39, Scomas, Brenda's, Yanksing, Pacific Catch, Sotto Mare, Anchor Oyster Bar, Pancho Villa, Umi, Hard Knox, and Absinthe. Anyone have opinions about which of those are and are not worth it? Also, of those beer places who has good food?
Some of those places may look like they're not bad to walk to on a map but beware of the hills. You might want to hop on muni instead of walking. -Anchor Brewery - Not open to the public. Make a reservation for a tour asap. -Speakeasy - Only open on Fridays and Saturdays. -Amnesia - I've never been here before or heard it brought up in a beer bar discussion. -Beer Revolution - Definitely go here. It's in Oakland but easy to get to via bart. -Public House - Put this on your list too. It's attached to the ballpark. If you go to a Giants game you can enter through Public House and take 2 beers into the stadium. Even if you don't go for a Giants game it's close by and has a good beer selection. For food, your list is pretty good. Suppenkuche has good German food. 21st Amendment, Thirsty Bear, and Rogue aren't known for their food. Here's a couple other recommendations: -Get a sandwich from Deli Board for lunch (they're not open for dinner). It's just down the street from your hotel. The Boca is my favorite and their most popular. You can get it to go and eat it in City Beer Store which is just over a block away. -Nopa is my favorite restaurant in SF. Their burger, pork chop, and french toast are all amazing. Small beer selection but they have a couple Moonlight beers on tap. -When you go to Toronado, get a sausage from Rosamunde next door.
Thanks for all the tips! I have been to Rosamunde... amazing. I will check out Beer Revolution that Saturday. And will check out Public House on Sunday whether I make it to the game or not.
Get to know MUNI. Buy a map and a City Pass (just transit) or a Passport (free admission to some cool things). http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/passports.htm
Crowd at Public House thins out during the middle innings, but before and after games it will be packed. Unless you're lucky enough to grab a table you'll want to belly up to the center bar, as that's where most of the best taps are. And if you don't go to the game take a walk around the park anyway, especially along the water, where you can watch for free through the fence. 21st Amendment will also be packed before and after games, but not during. Ah, baseball season.
Thanks for all the suggestions. If anyone wants to grab a pint over the next couple weeks let me know.
If you can get your company (or just someone else) to pay for Yank Sing, it's worth it. If you're the one footing the bill, it's not. Brenda's, Zazie, and Kate's Kitchen are my favorite breakfast places in SF. The weekend brunch at the Cliff House is also great. Absinthe is a great choice. If you don't mind waiting in line (or having a pretty early lunch), try Swan Oyster Depot on Polk and California. Someone else suggested Nopa. Listen to them. I'd be happy to grab a pint with a fellow BA - shoot me a message and we can trade contact info.
Thanks, I'll shoot you a message next week when I'm out there and have a better idea of schedule. But yes, company is fronting the food bills hence the nicer places listed.
