San Francisco is considered one of the greatest restaurant towns in the World. It seems that a new trendy restaurant pops up on almost a daily basis. Thankfully, some of our classic dining establishments like House of Prime Rib, Swan’s Oyster Depot, Tadich Grill and a handful of others survive and thrive. And others get rescued by “angel investors”- like Joe’s of Westlake (fingers crossed), Tosca Cafe, The Big 4, The Old Clam House and Schroeder’s. But I sadly salute the passing of some of my all-time personal favorites.
Capp’s Corner
(formerly 1600 Powell at Green St., North Beach)
This Family-Style Italian dinner house was a go-to for good food at a good price, and always great company. So many memories at Capp’s with family and friends. Dinner always served with a tureen of really tasty Minestrone (“Pass that bowl down here, please!”), followed by a tasty kidney-bean laden house-dressed salad. The long time owners, the Ginellas, were recently booted, another victim of San Francisco’s latest landord eviction frenzy (shameful). Capp’s Corner is also notable (to me) for being the place I first met the late great Seamus Coyle, in his capacity as the greeter. No one could greet you like that grizzled Irishman! I miss Capp’s….and Seamus.
Caesar’s
(formerly 2299 Powell St at Bay St., near Fisherman’s Wharf)
Over the years, Caesar’s was the destination for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries…Hell, ANY festive gathering. As teens, we would head to Caesar’s and settle in for a 7-course “pigout” (always trying, but never getting used to the pickled pig’s feet appetizer. No problem, because there were 6 other plates with antipasti, cold cuts, marinated ceci and kidney beans). So loud and raucous that you had to shout your order at the waiter. The best Cioppino in town. Excellent bar! A great, friendly, attentive staff, with owner Matteo actually cooking in the kitchen. And you were always greeted by the smiling face of the late, much-missed co-owner Luigi Romani. R.I.P.
Empress of China
(formerly 838 Grant Avenue, Chinatown)
The classiest destination in Chinatown, the Empress had one of the most spectacular views of The City from both the dining room and the bar. You didn’t go to Empress of China for authentic Regional cuisine. The menu was very “Americanized”. But it was a blast from the past, a step back into San Francisco, circa 1960. Check out the celeb photos on the wall. (“Hey, that’s Jack Soo from “Barney Miller”!) Order a perfect Mai Tai and imagine you’re in a scene from a Bond movie. Another classic bites the dust for more office space. Thanks, Progress…
Villa Romana
(formerly 731 Irving St., near 9th Avenue, Inner Sunset)
A very old school North Beach feel in the heart of the busy Inner Sunset, the Villa Romana dining room was decorated with grapevines and Chianti bottles hanging from the barrel-like ceiling. IMHO, there was one reason to make the trip to this Irving Street staple: Pizza. If you missed Villa Romana, you missed one of the best pizzas in town. Period.
Sam Wo
(formerly 813 Washington St., Chinatown)
The legend of Sam Wo lives on in the memories of anyone who had the pleasure of climbing the rickety stairs to the second or third floor dining areas, sitting at the funky, beat up, hodge podge of communal tables. If you were lucky, you were verbally abused by the legendary Edsel Ford Fung. Kitchen on the first floor? No problem. Dumb waiter that bowl of noodles up to the appropriate floor. Open until 3 am, Sam Wo had a BYOB policy (despite the hand-written sign that stated “No Booze”) that let us bring in whatever beer we could buy at the liquor store down the block (that had, let’s say, a very liberal policy on checking I.D.) The food? Whatever. The experience? Priceless.
Vanessi’s
(formerly 498 Broadway at Kearny, North Beach)
The granddaddy of all Italian sit-at-the-counter Italian grills, Vanessi’s was another multi-course dining experience (do you notice a trend in my favorites?) There was nothing like sitting at the counter across from the exhibition grill, and feeling the heat blaze up every time the chef flopped a steak or chop on the wood-fueled fire. Savory sensory overload! Vanessa’s had a great red sauce, slathered on spaghetti and ravioli, offered as your main course or a side. In the late’s 80’s, they moved from Broadway to Nob Hill, and closed soon after. Thankfully, Original Joe’s (North Beach and Downtown San Jose), Marin Joe’s, and a handful of others keep up the tradition.
Gold Spike
(formerly 527 Columbus Ave., North Beach)
Guess what? Another Italian Family-Style Dinner House. (Hey, I like Italian food, served in mass quantities. Sue me.) The things that stood out about Gold Spike were: 1. That uneven floor in the front dining area near the bar. 2. The dollar bills and business cards plastered all over the ceiling and walls. 3. The butteriest, garlicky garlic bread ever. Delicious! 4. HUGE portions. Pro-Eater Joey Chestnut would have difficulty not doggie bagging some of his meal. I went there for lunch with a group from work who complained that Gold Spike had “hair on it” (i.e. it was old).You think? It was over SEVENTY YEARS OLD at the time! They didn’t get it. You want pristine? I have the address of Olive Garden for you. As for me, (to paraphrase OG’s motto) a trip to Gold Spike was truly “when you’re there, you were family.”
Johnson’s Tamale Grotto
(formerly Vicente at 24th Avenue, Sunset District)
Tamales were a big deal in The City, WAY before the Tamale Lady and her garbage bag full of delicious masa treats made the bar scene in the Mission. I mean, “Tuesday was Red’s Tamale Day”, fercryinoutloud! The Hot House at Playland was the favorite of many Locals (including my wife’s family). But we were a Johnson’s Tamale Grotto family. They had the original 20th and Mission location and one in Westlake. But from the Sunset District location, we had Johnson’s deliver their deliciously sauced beans and rice (in the round ice-cream containers), enchiladas and cup tamales (made in coffee cups, if I remember correctly?), all wrapped in newspaper and tied with butcher string, to our front door. The sauce? Who knows what they put in it, but it was pure Mexican gravy magic.
The Shadows
(formerly 1349 Montgomery St. near the Filbert steps, Telegraph Hill)
The Shadows on Telegraph Hill was, to me, a “classy date night” destination. I couldn’t afford Ernie’s or Julius Castle (down the block), so when I did save a few bucks, I’d put on my Harris Tweed sports coat and a clip-on tie, and escort my girl (Lincoln High girl, Shirley) to The Shadows for some German-Swiss-Continental-American cuisine…and love. The dining room looked like my idea of what a Swiss chalet would look like (the closest I had ever been to Switzerland being the Matterhorn ride at Disneyland). The glorious panoramic view of the Bay from the bar was impressive. Their lentil soup (with refills!) was delicious. And I scored huge brownie points, even though the tie came off mid-meal.
Paoli’s
(575 Commercial St near Montgomery, Financial District)
Paoli’s has a spot near and dear to my heart for one specific reason- their Happy Hour buffet. I make the case that it was the most impressive array of freebie comestibles (with purchase of a cocktail of course) offered at any dining room bar anywhere, ever! It seemed like almost every item offered on the Dinner menu appeared on the massive buffet table near the bar (not true, but a great selection, nonetheless). Another great date night restaurant, dark and moody, Paoli’s offered up a delicious mixed bag of Continental-American-Broiler dishes. But you had to have one at the bar and wander over to see what was happening at Happy Hour first. You might not make it to dinner.
What are your favorite, long-gone restaurants? I’ll have my second list of 10 posted soon…
Attitude Adjustment Hour 
Ken’s Seafood on Silver Ave, served the best abalone sandwich and clam chowder
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The Iron Pot on Montgomery.
Huge pots of delicious minestrone and hot sourdough bread.
Yummy ravioli and a Baby Steak followed by Spamoni ice cream for dessert. Scrumptious !!!
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I miss those family style Italian places, where a working class family could sit down to a cloth table covering and order a bottle of wine and a dinner with sauces which had been cooking for days without spending an arm and a leg. The Dotcom industry is killing those places off.
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R.I.P. Capp’s Corner, Gold Spike, San Remo, Green Valley (although Mark Sodini is doing a great job with that location! Not family style, but delicious food, great staff, and kinda old school)
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I loved the Iron Pot as a kid – getting all dressed up to go with our grandma and parents – classic waiters and amazing minestrone. I’ve tried to find pics but to no luck.
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In the Mission , there was Bruno”s and the Cigar Box, both on Mission Street. Italian Food Fly Trap on Sutter, Great Italian Italian and the Iron Pot on Montgomery ,also Italian
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Does anyone remember Luchina’s, that great little Russian restaurant on Clement Street in the ’60s?
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Miniature Delicatessen, on Clement and 6th. Another Russian place was Cinderella Bakery on Balboa and 6th. On Clement it was one block east of King Normans Kingdom of Toys…..
Roseitta Chocolate also a block away on Clement.
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Went there often in the Sixties. Russian language was my minor at SF State, and the staff was kind enough to put up with my attempts to impress my dates when ordering.
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Getting older is bringing back great memories of growing up in the city in the 50’s and 60’s. I use to hang out at Happy Boy’s Drive in that had a burger that had 3 pieces of bread like the Big Mac, years before the Big Mac. They were next door to Becks Motor Lodge. A restaurant our family would go on special occasions was Joe Ferreras Troc, on Geary, at Arguello next door to the Coronet theater. Miz Brown’s, Red Roof, Doggie Diners, Mel’s and Zims were the hang outs for all our school buddies. Tic Tock on 3rd st, next to Isslas Creek, they also had on way out on 3rd. I think they also had one on Ocean Blvd. Someone mentioned Foster’s , there were lots of them around town, nothing special but decent cheap grub. High School special dinners went to the Tonga Room, went there a couple of years ago and it was pretty run down. In the old days parking was never a problem, now driving around town it’s a desaster, so we rarely come into town.
I am trying to figure out a name of a restaurant in Colma that was like a Joe’s it was on a corner, I think on Serramonte blvd before they tore it up etc, It’s not there anymore, it had a great bar, fireplace and was the place to meet family after a funeral. It was on the south-west corner, again back int he 70’s 80’s last time we went there was in the 90’s don’t see it on Goggle street view anymore.
What a great city to grow up at. Get on the bus, go down town for a nickle, steal 50 cents from your mom’s purse which bought you 2 cheeseburgers and a cook at the Pioneer Grill on Market and Van Ness.
Oh the old days…….
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Serramonte spot with fireplace? The Peppermill? Really good food and great hang out!
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And waitresses with very short skirts as I remember. Great eggs Benedict.
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And the sourdough cheese burger!
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Val’s probably.
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Val’s is still going strong. When Joe’s of Westlake closed for remodel, this was the classic go-to. And they’re still serving delicious food! The $19 Sunday chicken dinner special is outstanding!
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Or 7 cents for a Cho Cho malted ice cream. When we moved from San Francisco to Novato in 1965 my San Francisco childhood followed me in that familiar truck from the Colonial Bakery. They’re all the way out here in Novato??? Same nickel for glazed and cake donuts. I’m 70 nowand wonder why all that good stuff disappeared.
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Sam Wo’s is back, complete with Edsel Ford Fung.
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What – they dragged him out of his grave?
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Exactly, Ted. He’s been gone for years.
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Thanks for the great memories …the bay has changed and not for the better
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Amen to that. Still, this piece did bring back a whole host of terrific memories, and in the middle of a pandemic that’s no small thing.
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Thanks Ed
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Brings back a lot of great memories. I used to go to Doro’s and other bars after work every day and buy a beer while I ate all the great food they put out for free. There were a dozen or more in the financial district. Doro’s, Paoli’s, and The Iron Horse are the only names I recall, but I loved them all and all are gone now.
One of my favorites had large oil paintings of beautiful nude women on all the walls and had waitresses circulating with big trays of their best food, all free. I can’t recall the name although ti seems to me it had “Gold” in the title or something to do with gold or gold mining.
I don’t even recall the exact location, but it was somewhere close to the B of A tower, just off Montgomery.
Does anyone remember such a place.
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DOMINO CLUB
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GOLD STREET
NOW BIX
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I remember it as The Assay Office
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Does anyone remember Asabellas at Fisherman’s Warf? Our family visited there quite often in the 50’s and 60’s.
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I’m 82 and remember so many of those old restaurants. My parents used to take me to San Remo’s in North Beach, then later we all went to Gold Spike. When I was older went to both Shadows and Julius Castle. Remember Totos on Serramonte Blvd. later for Italian food and great pizza. As a kid we went to Johnsons Tamale Grotto in the Mission, later as an adult with kids living in Colma we got take out at the Johnsons in Westlake. Also enjoyed the Empress of China, went there until it closed. So sorry they’re gone. Sometimes on my Special Birthdays (70, 75, 80) my kids take me to some special place I remember. I live in Petaluma now. On my 80th they drove me all around SF and Colma to a lot of memory places!
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Does anyone remember the Victorian house at the foot of Columbus Ave. near the Cannery which housed a reataurant & downstairs Tapas Bar, called El Meson. Flamenco guitarists would come together every Friday night to jam. How I miss the intensity of that, esp. when their counterparts, Flamenco dancers would join in.
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My family owned Johnson’s Tamale Grotto. Is there a way I can purchase that mug? Thanks in advance! Shannon
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Unfortunately, I found that image online. I wish I did have it.
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Are you Danny’s daughter? Inquiring Moreno’s want to know
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My husband’s Grand-Parents were Moreno’s & he has found memories of the restaurant .
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Neon Chicken in the Castro (70’s); Stoyanof’s in Inner Sunset (70s-90s), Casa Aguila (outer Sunset, on west of 19th Ave). I’m sure there are more, but I’ve forgotten them!
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Tommy Toys
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You forgot the original version of the North Beach Cafe and the old Tivoli with the little cakes and eclairs. I was trying to find that restaurant in Colma also. I remember everyone went there after a funeral. I miss the old version of the Fior as well.
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Joan, not sure about a restaurant in Colma, but everyone STILL goes to Molloy’s, a great tavern with a long history. The legendary Pat Lane behind the plank and owner Owen Molloy greet those toasting the lives of their dearly departed.
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Or do you mean the U.S. Cafe at Stockton and Columbus?
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Rocco’s in the Excelsior was a great neighborhood restaurant and after he retired I ran into him at Dave’s Auto Repair and I asked him about the great swiss chard he served with meals and he said he grew it in his own backyard in the outer mission….
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Tom, did you run into Jimmy the Greek? Yup, the swiss chard that was the side with every dish was actually grown behind the restaurant! We ate there almost every Friday night. Great food. The neighborhood has changed and Rocco’s (among other establishments) is much missed
BTW: The grandson of the original owner has opened Rocco’s Cafe on Folsom south of Market! Great food, the decor is like a blast from The City’s past! Ask for Don to chat about his grandpa and the Excelsior Rocco’s
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What about Marconi’s off of lower California Street ?
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Trying to recall the name of a restaurant near Ghiradelli Square that had sort of an Old English/Medieval theme from the 1970s. Waiters dressed in costume and spoke Old English… Can anyone help? Thanks!
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Rathskellar
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The Ben Johnson?
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My Mother lived upstairs from the Johnsons on Mission St. Grandma and Grandpa raised her and her three brothers there. It was the family restaurant, started by Mr. Johnson and his wife, my grandfathers sister. Pancho was the chef, and all the recipes came from Mexico and were from the family. And Yes, I miss those tamales. No one makes them like Johnsons did.
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My mother was raised upstairs from the Johnsons on Mission St. Grandma Lupe and Grandpa Raymond raised her and three brothers there. At the restaurant Pancho was the cook and all the recipes came from the family from Mexico. Mr. Johnson was married to my Grandfathers sister Ehie (sp) and started the restaurant. I would go as a child to the upstairs and would walk around on the roof of what is or was Bruno’s.
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Of course, everyone has their favorite gone by place or two or three and each was a jewel in its own right. For those who knew not just the restaurant, but, as well the time, each IS so dearly missed. I am not claiming this to be “the best”…………… No. But Clown Alley (burgers) On Lombard at Divisidero was utterly beyond exceptional for any variety of burger (!!!) or anything else they served. Oh, and Bryant’s up the street.
These days SFO like much of the USA has, alas, become so plastic, so false, so dirty, so stupid…….., destroyed by hobnailed jackboot liberalism and en suite hipsters.
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I am trying to remember the name of a a French/Continental cuisine restaurant in San Francisco that is notable because it suffered smoke damage from a fire and had to close, I just cannot remember the name or where it was, this was in 1980’s…. thank you!
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Lulu- I believe you’re talking about Fleur de Lys, which used to be on Sutter Street. From their website: “Tragedy struck Fleur de Lys in the fall of 2001, when a devastating fire left nothing but ashes and tears. Some speculated that the restaurant’s run was over, that there was no possible way they could recover from such horrible misfortune. Following a 10 month renovation,, Fleur de Lys would show the world that their staying power remained “gold”, reopening with more fan fare and praise than could have ever been anticipated in the summer of 2002.” They closed in 2014, I believe.
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Possibly The Blue Boar on Lombard? My wife and I used to go every Christmas Eve (after The Nutcracker) in the mid-seventies and early eighties. They tried to renovate but never completed. I believe they moved up to the Sonoma coast as a B&B?
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OMG…Caesar’s and The Old Colony on 24th and Clement Street were my dads two favorite restaurants. We ate there quite often. I’m 66 and this site has brought back a lot of fond memories. Thank you! The restaurant I was trying to remember was Little City (I believe that was the name, around the corner from Capps Corner) off of Columbus Street. After having one of their baked garlic bulbs with Brie cheese, the cab driver wouldn’t even want to give us a ride home. All I can say is: the good old days!
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Gold Mirror on Taraval is still primo as is Marcello’s on Taraval. Ole school SF dinner houses.😎
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Still serving up great food. I miss the pot of liverwurst on the antipasto plate. Not Italian, but really delicious.
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I would add one of our favorite North Beach Italian restaurants, La Felce on the corner by Washington Square Park. One other great in its day was the Kans Chinese in Chinatown. Thanks for the great article, I found it looking for Vanessis !
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One of my all-time favorites as well, Paul. Owner Romano and his lovely wife, Flora would greet you at the door. Really good food. One of the only places that served delicious baccala. And one of my favorite things was the bowl of marinated garbanzo beans on the table (BTW a Rossi family recipe- of Gino & Carlo fame). Replaced by Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, which is a new staple in North beach, but La Felce is missed.
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Nam Yuen, and Sun Hung Heum in chinatown.
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Solari’s Grill on Geary between Powell and mason
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Leopard Cafe, on Front Street, off California – a block away from Harrington’s. Great steak house.
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Kent’s Chicken Shop, Maye’s Oyster House and Tortola – all on Polk Street.
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Does anyone remember the Coachman on Powell Street during the Sixties? Great English food – really! Also, there was a hotel restaurant – possibly in the Marina – where each table was a separate theme: Circus, Jazz Age, France…sounds hokey but it was quite good with a dash of class – great place to take a date in the Seventies. I was on the 600 block of Sutter Street a couple of years ago and was pleasantly surprised to see one of my old haunts, The White Horse, still there. I had a celebratory drink and enjoyed many memories and adventures with the lovely women who made them so many years ago….
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Ahhh! The Coachman! Right on the corner of two cable car lines. Great Beef Wellington, Steak and Kidney Pie and Beef Stroganoff. Still have a calligraphy-printed copy of their Cock-a-Leekie Soup receipe the waiter gave us.
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Solari’s Grill on Geary Street
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Jack’s on Sacramento. It was a regular hangout when I worked on Montgomery. They had great old time waiters and the best menu. I loved their asparagus with baked egg and Parmesan. And fried cream for dessert.
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I loved Jack’s. Old school San Francisco at its best. Mock turtle soup! Jellied Consommé! Celery Parisienne! Recipes that are no longer offered (outside of Paris). Great chops and seafood.
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Anyone remember Chris’s restaurant on Front Street? It was a terrific hofbrau. I believe their location earlier was on California St possibly in the 50s or 60s. Good spot for lunch. MacArthur Park was also a good spot.
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I definitely remember MacArthur Park- that charcoal smoke permeated the neighbor hood. Delicious baby back ribs
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Zims (where else?!), The Pam Pam (those montecristo sandwiches so yum!!) .Señor Pico in Ghirardelli Square (food wasn’t great, but our family loved going there), so many great places, great childhood memories now gone 😥
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I can remember having dinner with my parents and a neighbor or two at The Shadows as a 4-year old in 1957.
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I loved “The Shadows”. When I was 18 a girl friend and I drove up from Los Angeles to
spend a week and I drove there, having been told about this wonderful place. I was
terrified driving up the hill and trying to park, but it was definitely worth it. The location, the atmosphere and the FOOD were all amazing, and I certainly wish it were
still there. So romantic and such outstanding dishes.
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Gino’s in the alley across from the BofA building. Dark, great bar, red leather booths, steaks and giant chilled prawn cocktails. My old boss had a regular stool Mon-Thu at the end of the bar for lunch, dice and a couple of martinis. Old fashioned rainmaker who got a lot of business from that spot. RIP Dickie Boy.
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I remember Big Ben’s in the Financial District. The BEST and biggest crab legs, already shelled served with drawn butter!!!! I believe it’s been gone for many years.
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Big bens burgers 1966.jpeg
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OK…you got me fascinated, Carolyn! I have never heard of Big Ben Fish Grotto, but found the address online (645 Montgomery), and also this entry from an article call “Fish- Croatian Style” written in the 70’s by Adam S Eterovich:
“Fish- San Francisco Style
Whether you were dining at the old Neptune Grotto at Fisherman’s Wharf, at the adjacent Miramar or High Tide, AT BIG BEN’S ON MONTGOMERY STREET, at Dominic and Johnny Sutter-Polk Grill, at Popeye’s Fish Grotto or at those still extant survivors of a once larger group, Sam’s, Tadich’s, Mayes’ or Chris’, the operators made and make no promotional hay of their ancestral beginnings in Croatia, or, more accurately, the Dalmatian coast.
Because of their, call it difference, a significant chapter in San Francisco’s culinary history was wound down before most people-even, I suspect, the subjects themselves-know it took place. Only four of the oldtime places remain. Of those, only one, at last report, had an honest-to goodness Dalmatian-born chef working the kitchen.
The chapter has, in any case, left a tasty bequest that lingers on so long as its traditions are observed. That tradition generally has been to serve fish that is almost flopping fresh, and to cook it precisely to that evasive instant which barely divides unappetizing translucency from desiccation. Also, to cook it relatively plainly. What you then taste, be it sole, salmon or sea bass, it is flaky flesh with a delicate flavor. There is never a sauce or herbs so strong they cover up the natural flavor. Just a sprinkling of parsley and perhaps a bit of lemon and butter. Sounds ordinary? You just try to achieve that kind of sensitivity at home, let alone among those houses serving the usual over-fried, over-dried and oversauced fishy fare.
If they failed to call their restaurants Croatian, this was easily explained, since the nation of that name did not come into existence until 1991. Indeed, the restaurateurs seemed to go out their way to take on an American image. Look at the names of some early twentieth century cafes headed by Dalmatians.
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‘Le Cyrano’ Geary near 6th. Classic French food. I went there in the early 1980’s where you had to know someone to get in. Frog’s Legs on the dinner menu and Calvados to finish your rich meal. Those were the dayz!!
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I’m a 68 yr old SF native, (Sunset District. Lincoln HS,) and I read all these comments lucky to have experienced these things as a “normal” way of life but disgusted by how it’s all gone. My father was Golden Gate Plastering Co. Our family would go to the Hickory Pitt on Geary.
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Des Alpes and Buon Gusto…..both north beach, near Broadway and Columbus
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The very best tongue on Wednesday at Des Alpes.
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And maybe the very best French fries as well
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One more favorite North Beach Italian restaurant that my dad took me to when Cap’s was too crowded: the US Restaurant. They moved locations but I seem to remember them on the triangle corner of Columbus and Stockton… you could watch the world converging at that intersection as you were having a great lunch. Thanks for the article, the comments and memories.
“A city is not gauged by its length and width… ” but its restaurants.
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The Original US Restaurant had the best breakfast back in the day. Two older Italian sisters serving simple, delicious morning fare. Eggs, sourdough toast, home fries and Italian sausage- SO DAMNED GOOD!
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I loved the “old” U.S. Restaurant on Columbus. It had fantastic REAL Italian daily specials–my favorite was the Tripe (I think it was on Tuesdays). I moved away from The City in 1998…and returned to visit for the first time last year. I knew in advance that the U.S. Restaurant and Sam Wo’s both moved and were re-branded. But it was still disappointing when I visited. I felt so bummed.
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Stumbled on this fun post and comments when I (unsuccessfully) googling the name of a restaurant my dad mentioned more often than any during his decades of working in the financial district (which ended in the mid ’90s). I regret I never having gotten to experience it. I’m sure the name was “Chris’s Seafood” I’m not sure where it was but he would have walked there. I’m also not sure if the food was fantastic or if he went there because of its great value, but I had the impression that it was for both reasons. (He also ate at Tadich’s so he knew good seafood.).
On my family’s weekend visits to SF we often ate at what I know as “Romano’s” on Lombard, which I’m pretty sure is not the Villa Romano others have mentioned. I was just a kid but I remember the food as being excellent. I remember seeing the cooks throwing pizza dough in the kitchen. As an aside, I was taken on a date to Bernstein’s by a Bernstein son once, not too long before it closed (because none of the kids wanted to go into the restaurant business).
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Does anyone remember a restaurant in the far Outer Sunset, close to the ocean, may have been called The Seagull? I can’t find any online info about it, but I remember it fondly. I think the menu was mostly seafood, and it was a small place. Special occasion place for me.
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Dante Benedetti’s in North Beach
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Piccolo Pete’s sandwich shop near Candlestick
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I too my then girlfriend/ now wife to Paoli’s. I thought I was so cool. Long time ago….. I don’t care if I sound old San Francisco WAS better back then.
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does anyone remember the name of the fine dining restaurant at the end of an alley at the north west corner of Mason and O’Farrell streets?
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How about Cafe Reggios ? Biagios Pizza on Ocean Ave. loved that place as a kid in the fifties next to Harris Leggs ice skating.
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