Dosa (1700 Fillmore St.: Japantown area. A smaller one also at 995 Valencia): OKAY. So this is something I tried only towards the end of my internship, but I had to put it right on top because just in case you fall asleep mid-way through this blog, you'll know that this is one place you just HAVE to eat at! I am a gigantic fan of South Indian food, and granted I've never really eaten at restaurants IN south India, but from the ones I have eaten at back at home in Delhi (which does have some of the better ones), Dosa rates pretty high! I judge south Indian by the sambhar and chutneys, because that's what can really go wrong. And oh my god, I think I'm salivating just recalling the delicious food I ate. Try any of the dosas -- paneer/peas, eggplant, and of course, load in the free papad!
The Plant Cafe (101 California St.: Financial District): Stone's throw from my workplace, so needless to say, this is where my colleagues took me for lunch when I joined. Have to say, SF is big on organic food, and this place is definitely one of the better options. Menu includes a heady mix of salads (but, of course), sandwiches, soups and organic juices -- these are definitely my favorite! There are tons of options and no one juice is like the other. Plus, the names are enticing: immunity builder, skin refresher, energizer, etc.!
Burmese Superstar (309 Clement St.: Inner Richmond): This tiny nondescript place would probably not be noticeable even if you passed it by, except for the hoards of people waiting outside to get seated -- any time of the day, any day of the week! It comes highly recommended as a must-try-if-you're-in-SF kinda place, and you should ideally get there around 4.30-5 ish to make dinner at a reasonable hour. Their tea leaves salad was exceptional, and the food in general is a mix of Thai and Indian (more of the former though).
Mixt Greens (114 Sansome St.: Financial District): Another popular salad bar. Won't say a whole lot more, except that you mustn't be afraid to experiment here! Blindly opt for make-your-own-salad, and have fun with the many ingredients on offer!
Chipotle (525 Market St.: Financial District): Okay, Chipotle is Chipotle and its everywhere. So why should I review it in this blog? Well only because I LOVE their burrito and bowls, irrespective! If you're craving your favorite run-of-the-mill Mexican among the gazillion salad bars, you'll be glad it's there!
Gracias Madre (2211 Mission St.: Mission District): But if you're on the lookout for Mexican food that is unlike any other, head over to Gracias Madre: an organic, vegan Mexican joint! Try out their Enchiladas that use cashew cheese instead of milk cheese, their sweet potato filled Quesadillas, their coconut milk ice-cream, or if you're feeling particularly ambitious, try the Nopales: a traditional Mexican dish made out of cactus! It's quite something, I assure you!
Specialty's (22 Battery St.:Financial District): Truly a Californian specialty, their range of sandwiches is like no other! They have different fresh soups everyday, which are amazing on a cold, windy day, but it is their brownies and cookies that are truly worth trying. Hard to recommend just one!
Starbucks (455, Market St.: Financial District): Cmon! You didn't think I'd leave out my early morning, mid-afternoon, late-evening coffee fix! I'm addicted to their Hazelnut Latte. Period.
La Boulange (685 Market St.: Financial District): Another popular cafe / bakery, with some of the cutest-looking, heavenly-tasting single-bite baked goods. Must try! Warning: their goat cheese sandwich is quite loaded!
Curry Village (1386 9th Ave.: Inner Sunset): And finally, the place I first ate at when I came to SF! It's a tiny, almost shady looking place much like Burmese Superstar, but their buffet was one of the better Indian buffets I've had in the US! Extensive spread of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, plus they serve you hot chai with your food, which was as close to my home-made chai as I could expect! It came highly recommended by my flatmate, and was totally worth the money ($15 including tip!)
California Pizza Kitchen (53 3rd St.: Downtown): Yes I know it's another one of those chains, so I'm not going to talk about how good / bad this is. What I am going to tell you though is that CPK serves the best Kung Pao Spaghetti EVER! I have also heard great things about the Sicilian Pizza (the frozen version of which, I also spotted at Safeway BTW!)
Park Chow (1240 9th Ave.: Inner Sunset): This seemingly Asian sounding restaurant actually serves one of the best brunches in town! Try the French toast (get banana on the side if you're feeling particularly ambitious), and just about anything else on the menu. What's more, they serve brunch till about 2PM, so if you go around noon, they'll make available both the brunch and the lunch menus. Never too few options!
Aslam's Rasoi (1037 Valencia St.: Mission District): While this place came highly recommended, it definitely takes much more flavor to impress my Indian palate. The food was on the bland side, which might be one of the reasons why its popular here. In fact, I didn't see a single Indian walk in while I was there despite it being a weekend night -- a clear testimony in my opinion that the food is definitely not the way it should be. Disappointing overall, except for the guy who waited on us -- one animated character :)
Suzu Noodle House (1825 Post St.: Japantown): Being a vegetarian leaves me with little desire to try out Japanese food, but when my roommate insisted, I just went with the flow. And glad I did! Because this place served delicious vegetable soup (which you must get with ramen -- i'm told by my very ramen-crazy roommate that this place definitely has the best!), and Tempura as the appetizer, which I really liked too! Try the shrimp tempura -- I've heard great things!
Sophie's Crepes (1581 Webster St.: Japantown): Absolute must eat! I LOVED it completely, totally. Try the Banana + Nutella or the Green tea + red bean paste if you're feeling a little dangerous ;)
Thirsty Bear (661 Howard St.: Financial District): They serve some of the best selection of organic beers, with some of the yummiest range of tapas. I honestly could not try much of the food because of limited vegetarian options, but my friends were raving about the paella and the 10,000 different tapas that they ordered! Pick any off the menu and you can't go wrong =)
Kennedy's (1040 Columbus Ave.: Telegraph Hill): So what is this place? An Irish pub? An Indian curry restaurant? A game bar? Keep guessing! It's the strangest setting I've seen -- Foosball tables surrounded by paintings of the Taj and colorful sarees, an authentic Irish bar (must try the #12 beer on tap -- turned out to be quite a favorite that night!), and in the middle of it all a stream of spices filling up your nostrils! Ever tried a dosa and sambhar with a cold beer while playing pool? Well, if you're the kind of person who doesn't know what he/she wants, it might be worth landing up in this absolute fusion land! Trust me, if there's anywhere in the US that you could find a place like this, it would have to be San Francisco!
