Kabuto Sushi, http://www.kabutosushi.com/ , in the Richmond District is a must visit in my book. It's a little hole in the wall, but the fish is amazing.

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The House is amazing. http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/11344537/san_francisco_ca/the_house.html

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I would say Michael Mina, Gary Danko, Sushi Ron, Tan Kiang, Yank Sing, Town Hall, Salt House, Zuni, there are so many great places.

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Ferry Building of course :)

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Oooh, I just love San Fran. I had a seriously great meal at Boudin (squash ravioli with mushrooms and sage brown butter, as I recall) and I love the clam Chowder at Hog Island Oyser Co. in the Ferry Building as well as Patisserie Miette. I know those are all sort of touristy, but I am not a local! But I did very much enjoy those. I also loved a Mexican food spot called Cactus in Oakland. And I love to hit up Japan Town for authentic Japanese food, Japanese craft books and Bento Boxes (we don't get much of any of that in Denver!). Enjoy your trip.. I'm hella jealous.

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The Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building!
http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

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Sapporo-Ya in Japan town's Kinokunya Mall has absolutely amazing hand made Ramen(across the way is a crepe shop also awesome, but bring cash)
Scalas off of Union Square, across from Borders Books.( http://www.scalasbistro.com/ )
The Daily Grill, off Union Square also, Macys side.
Lefty O'Douls makes a killer Corned Beef sandwich, next to The Daily Grill.

Chinatown has more places to eat than I could ever try, but the Eastern Bakery at 720 Grant Ave is my favorite place. I have to get a bbq pork bun whenever I go, as well as their little egg custard tart thing.
They only take cash as well.

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There is a great vegetarian restaurant called Greens. I went there for lunch (less crowded) and it was amazing.

http://www.greensrestaurant.com/

I would also recommend Swan Oyster Depot, 1517 Polk St. There is always a line out the door and it is some of the freshest seafood I've had. It's a tiny hole in the wall place that is open for lunch, but it's definitely worth the wait. You know their seafood is fresh when their selection is dependent on the weather the day before.

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Oh and the bombolonis from I Preferiti di Boriana at the Ferry Building. I still dream about them. They are the lightest, most delicious filled donuts I have ever had.

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XOX Truffles: http://xoxtruffles.com/ - 754 Columbus Avenue (between Filbert & Greenwich)

Definitely the Farmer's Market which others have suggested.

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A strong second on Yank Sing at the Rincon Center for a dim sum brunch. Buy a jar of their hot sauce as a souvenir.

For a true SF classic go to Scoma's on Fisherman's Wharf for their absolutely fantastic cioppino (with plenty of sourdough of course) or their dungeness (out of season, but available).

You, of course, have to get a burrito in the Mission District. El Farolito on Mission & 24th is the most famous option, but there are others in the neighborhood.

For food souvenirs another place to go is the restaurant supply store on 6th and Clement in the Inner Richmond district. It's a mini-Chinatown, also with some great dumpling shops (about 90% as good as Yank Sing, but 1/3 the price).

Other favorites include the crabmelt sandwich at Toasties on Irving & 10th St in the Inner Sunset, the Steak Diane at Harris' Restaurant steak house on Van Ness,


Enjoy SF. It's the foodie promise land.

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I strongly second second Yank Sing at the Rincon Center for a dim sum
brunch. Buy a jar of their hot sauce as a souvenir.

For a true SF classic go to Scoma's on Fisherman's Wharf for their
absolutely fantastic cioppino (with plenty of sourdough of course) or
their dungeness (out of season, but available).

You, of course, have to get a burrito in the Mission District. El
Farolito on Mission & 24th is the most famous option, but there are
others in the neighborhood.

For food souvenirs another place to go is the restaurant supply store
on 6th and Clement in the Inner Richmond district. It's a
mini-Chinatown, also with some great dumpling shops (about 90% as
good as Yank Sing, but 1/3 the price).

Other favorites include the crabmelt sandwich at Toasties on Irving &
10th St in the Inner Sunset, the Steak Diane at Harris' Restaurant
steak house on Van Ness,


Enjoy SF. It's the foodie promise land.

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Oh, I forgot about North Beach (Little Italy)
The Mona Lisa, try the mozz and prosciutto stuffed chicken breast, with a glass of DeLoach OFS Cabernet 2003. Absolutely to DIE for.
Nearby is The Stinking Rose (garlic) that is a mecca for garlic lovers.

Johns Grill is a place to stay away from. It's a tribute to "The Maltese Falcon" and the food is horrid. Dry underseasoned steak, that was done through and through, even though I had asked for med rare.

Really though, walk around and peek inside. If it smells good and looks scary, don't worry, its probably awesome.

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I have written about my top favorites. Check them out here: http://amusesbouche.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/20-of-my-favorites-around-san-francisco/
But I would say if you have to go to one place, go to A16...

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xox truffles! its run by a french guy who makes amazing handmade truffles. you can get a cup of coffee and one truffle for a dollar. the earl grey one is worth trying. its on columbus and chestnut, on the right hand side if you're going downhill.
http://www.xoxtruffles.com/framepage.htm

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Go to the House of Nanking.

http://www.inetours.com/Pages/Dining_Archive/House_of_Nanking.html

Looks like the proverbial "hole in the wall", but don't let that fool you. It's inexpensive (for San Fran), and it's great food. If the waitress finds out you've never been there, she'll probably tell you she'll get you something good and then leave to do just that. Trust her.

The service can be a bit abrupt, but they crank out great food. Just go early, or you'll be waiting in line to get in.

It's the first place I go whenever I'm in town. Great food.

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Wat Mongkolratanaram - Thai Buddhist Temple in South Berkeley. Trust me on this one - if you like Thai, this is the place to go. Many of the best Bay Area Thai Chefs donate their time and skills on Sunday mornings for an extraordinary food experience - you can smell the food from a couple blocks away! http://www.yelp.com/biz/wat-mongkolratanaram-berkeley

Also, Cafe Trieste in North Beach on Saturdays - late mornings/afternoon - no better place to enjoy a glass of wine or espresso and sandwich while listening to Live Italian music where Mario Puzzo penned The Godfather!

Give SF a big hug for me - I really miss it after living there for 4 years!

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A mission-style burrito, virtually anywhere. Like New York pizza, this seems to be the only place to get one done right.

Millennium, pretty easily the best vegan restaurant in the country.

As Totoro said, the Ferry Building Farmer's Market. Snack your way through the crowd for a couple of hours.

Take a side trip to wine country, and while you're up there, try to get a table at the French Laundry or Bouchon.

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Visited SF in Jan '08, and a friend suggested Old Krakow, a Polish restaurant (IIRC in Presidio). Authentic food, great atmosphere.

Old Krakow Menu: http://flickr.com/photos/smooshipantz/2645940259/
Cheesecake: http://flickr.com/photos/smooshipantz/2645940107/
Polish sausage: http://flickr.com/photos/smooshipantz/2645939965/

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There's a lot of great stuff in all price points - but as a former San Franciscan who's really missing good food these days, I have to recommend Burma Superstar out on Clement st. in the Avenues. Great burmese food, funky atmosphere, and no reservations required (but you may be standing on the street for a while).

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