Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [98]
sweet NOTHINGS
Hayes Valley will woo you with its cutesy boutiques, littering of sidewalk cafes, and specialty stores like Flight 001, a visually striking display of designer travel gear. But perhaps our favorite stop in the new “it” neighborhood is for a perfect macaroon at sweetshop Miette ★★, 449 Octavia St. (at Linden St.; 415/626-6221)—and maybe a bag of brightly colored, homemade candies to go, you know, since we’ve already come all this way—followed by a cup of joe across the way at Blue Bottle Coffee ★★, 315 Linden St., a well-hidden kiosk down a side alley that serves some of the city’s best organic, gourmet, brewed-to-order coffee. Second locations for both can be found in the Ferry Building. A third Miette branch is at 2109 Chestnut St. (btw. Steiner and Pierce sts.; 415/359-0628). You’ll find two other Blue Bottle locations at 66 Mint St. at Jessie Street ( 415/495-3394), which is home to a fancy $25,000 Japanese coffeemaker, and the new rooftop sculpture garden at SFMOMA.
Cupcakes from Miette bakery.
Pluto’s ★ CALIFORNIAN Catering to the Marina District’s DINK (double income, no kids) crowd, Pluto’s combines assembly-line efficiency with high quality. The result is cheap, fresh fare in the build-a-meal style: huge salads with a dozen choices of toppings, oven-roasted poultry and grilled meats (the tri-tip is great), sandwiches, and a wide array of sides such as crispy garlic potato rings, seasonal veggies, and barbecued chicken wings. Pluto’s serves teas, sodas, bottled brews, and Napa wines as well as homemade desserts. The ordering system is bewildering to newcomers: Grab a checklist, and then hand it to the servers who check off your order and relay it to the cashier. Seating is limited during the rush, but the turnover is fairly fast. A second Inner Sunset location is at 627 Irving St., at Eighth Avenue ( 415/753-8867).
3258 Scott St. (at Chestnut St.). 415/7-PLUTOS (8867). www.plutosfreshfood.com. Reservations not accepted. Main courses $3.50–$5.75. MC, V. Mon–Fri 11am–10pm; Sat–Sun 10:30am–10pm. Bus: 28, 30, or 76.
JAPANTOWN
For a map of the restaurant in this section, see the “San Francisco Restaurants” map.
Moderate
Takara ★ JAPANESE/SUSHI When I’m in the mood for sushi, I often head to this unassuming restaurant tucked at the eastern end of Japantown. Not only is it large enough that you don’t have to wait in a long line (unlike other local sushi spots), but the fish is extremely fresh and affordable and the other offerings are fantastic. Along with standard nigiri, I always go for the seaweed with fabulously tangy vinegar and a floating quail egg. On the occasions that I can curb my sushi craving, I get more than my fill with their yosenabe. A meal for two that’s under $20, it’s a giant pot of soup brought to the table on a burner accompanied by a plate of fresh raw meat or seafood and vegetables. After you push the food into the liquid and briefly let it cook, you ladle it out and devour it. Even after serving two hungry people, there are always leftovers. Other favorites are anything with shrimp—pulled live from the tank—and sukiyaki, another tableside cooking experience. Bargain hunters should come for a lunch plate.
22 Peace Plaza no. 202 (in Japan Center Miyako Mall). 415/921-2000. www.takararestaurant.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $15–$23. MC, V. Daily 11:30am–2:30pm and 5:30–10pm.
CIVIC CENTER/HAYES VALLEY
For a map of restaurants in this section, see the “Mission District & Castro Area Restaurants” map.
Very Expensive
Jardinière ★★ CALIFORNIAN/FRENCH Jardinière is a pre- and post-symphony favorite, and it also happens to be the perfect setting for enjoying a cocktail with your significant other. A culinary dream team created the elegant dining room and sophisticated menu: owner-designer Pat Kuleto, who created the beautiful champagne-inspired decor,