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The Elite Cafe, 2049 Fillmore
"The Elite was an instant success with dishes like Jambalaya and Etouffee becoming part of our gastronomic language and the art of ‘blackened’ meats and fish assuming pedestrian status amongst foodies." Stu Smith
Florio, 1915 Fillmore
"Visually, emotionally and service-wise, Florio is a smash. " Stu Smith
Food Inc., 2800 California Street
"One of the best secrets in the Lower Pacific Heights area is Food Inc. Here, you're allowed to pamper yourself with some gourmet frou-frou dishes without the pomp and expense of other restaurants. " Susan MacTavish Best
La Mediteranee, 2201 Fillmore
"La Med’s humus should set an industry standard."
Vivande, 2125 Fillmore
"It is altogether charming: the napkins are cloth, the tablecloth is cloth over cloth, and, on the night we attended, the owner bussed tables.
Jitlada Thai Cuisine
1826 Buchanan Street (between Sutter and Bush), San Francisco
Tel: 415 292 9027
DC was sick of sushi and Italian. And I was sick of driving. So we walked to the Thai joint, Jitlada Thai Cuisine, over on the edge of Japantown. A rather unlikely place. San Francisco really isn't blessed with too many Stand Out Thai restaurants beyond the Stand Out Dirty But Good Tu Lan. This place is a good alternative plus you don't have to fight off the cranky crackheads on your way through the front door. And they have candles going on inside so you can have some atmosphere with your green curry. It's quite and peaceful, not a scene, and not cheesy. Good spot to go to if you can't be bothered with sushi (and Denny's is so not on) before heading to a movie at Kabuki.
I left DC to do the ordering. We kicked off with the flashy papaya salad which was so spicy to my out-of-practice mouth that all conversation screeched to a halt as my tongue swelled up. Good good good. The stuffed basil eggplant, stuffed with ground chickie, made me realise that there's a whole world beyond pesto. Appetizers are about $7. For mains, we split the day's special, and tucked into the red curry with chicken ($10). The wine is bad and cheap and, of course, I didn't care too much. The service, friendly.