Information / Sources, San Francisco

Frisco is the U.S. city that has the largest Asian community outside of Japan/China.

Once I read a sign in Florida Keys, on I-95 (where weird billboards start popping up): 'All Nude Clubs! GREAT FOOD!'
Some of you might think: 'Pretty disgusting', right? The two ideas don't exactly go together -- but think about it: what could be more appetizing than a naked person? (I guess it depends on the person, huh?) ROFL
In Japan, sushi is not just a meal - it is an experience that involves selecting the fish that you want (sometimes from a pool right in front of you), watching the chef prepare it for you, and then enjoying it as fresh as you possibly can. And some sushi restaurants have gone even farther by adding an entertainment component - a young woman would lie naked and her body is used as a table. As the chef decorates her body with fresh sushi, you can pick pieces from wherever you like. Bring a big wallet when you try these places though.
Ok, so I know this sounds weird for some, but if you like sushi... and are up for 'different' you gotta try one of these restaurants. The one I've been to is 'Nyotaimori' in Frisco. The japanese gal lies very still, naked (well, or almost) on a table while you serve yourselves sushi off of her with chopsticks. And then you might wanna keep the newly discovered way of sushi eating at home, but instead use mouth directly, and maybe eliminate all clothing! and get creative with where 'wasabi' will go, etc ;-) Just a tought ('ve you done it Frank?)

MMMMMMMM, I'm craving some yellow tail tuna or some unagi (eel)!

Favorite Dish: More Info:

To accompany your sushi, they'll probably offer you one of three options:

* Green Tea:
Which is served throughout the meal and removes aftertastes and freshens the mouth for the next serving of sushi.

* Beer:
Sapporo, Kirin, or Asahi.

* Sake (Japanese Rice Wine):
It's made from fermented rice, and it's served warm and is drunk before eating, not during or after. Some would say that the drink is obligatory, while others would say it is redundant because (like the sushi) it is made from rice. Drinking sake during the meal is certainly akin to ordering bread with a sandwich. But it's tradition, so cope. Or!!!! may I suggest you do 'Japanese bombers'!!!! (stick the little porcelain cup w/sake into a bigger glass w/beer, let it sink to bottom, and drink whole thing at once!) just as if tequila shots... ;-)

Every year the SF Chroncile publishes its' list of the 'TOP 100 RESTAURANTS'.

CLICK HERE: TOP 100 RESTAURANTS

Loosen your belts and open your wallet, click above for "the List".

Plus see my other entries in this Restaurant section.

Restaurants in San Francisco are expensive, but if you are looking for something cheap and delicious, definitely go to Chinatown. This is just a general tip on restaurants in Chinatown: You will be able to find anything you like from dim sum to excellent seafood, at a relatively good price.

All over Fisherman's wharf. You have to rough it and eat outside but it's the entire experience that's interesting.
I fed some of the bread to the pidgeons after lunch.

Favorite Dish: Fabulous clam chowder and whole crabs at Fisherman's wharf. The clam chowder is served in sourdough bowls for about $5. Very tasty and inexpensive. The whole crabs are about $12 each. The chowder and crabs are the best deal in the area for lunch. Shrimp and crab cocktails can run you $13 for a medium sized portion.

Around Fisherman's Wharf you will find several of these restaurants with seating outside. They all offer clam chowder, often served in a sourdough bread bowl, shrimp cocktail, and crabs-freshly steamed and ready to eat. The whole area is a tourist trap to be sure, and pricy for what you get, but if you do it once it's OK, and the ambience is a traditional San Francisco experience.

In general I wasn't too impressed by the restuarants on Pier 39, but you can have a good lunch/snack by buying a chowder with sourdough bread from one of the stalls along the harbourfront. If the weather is on the cold side this is also a good meal for warming yourself up again.

Despite the name, there are no beaches now at North Beach. They have long since been buried by land fill but there are some great restaurants there now. You will find a little bit of everything in North Beach, from sidewalk cafés to fancy restaurants, from Italian delicatessens to French bakeries, and from jazz clubs to strip joints. North Beach's cafes, restaurants and parks evoke a feeling of romantic Italy. I was taken to a lovely little Italian restaurant when I was there, I just wish I could remember the name of it. I remember a woman at the next table staring at me for most of the night. It was probably my different accent, or maybe the large Koala on my sweater. Either way, it was a special night.
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Favorite Dish: Anchor is a great local brew and gives a good name to American beers. While not as famous as Czech, Belgian, German and other famous beermaking countries, the US does have some good breweries. Anchor beers are virtually all handmade and come in seven varieties. Check out the website for details.