San Francisco - foodie heaven

Here are my reviews of some great restaurants - I will try to add one a day for a while since I can't type for too long at one time. Go to the Fishermans wharf area and walk, people watch, take a ferry ride, eat, walk some more, go to pier 39 and see the seals (AND hear them :) )

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What a pleasant surprise! I was invited to a luncheon or I never would have discovered this delightful restaurant. I was expecting ordinary American and got extraordinary.

The dish served was listed as halibut, but it was so perfectly cooked tender and flaky I have trouble believing it was not some other fish such as sea bream. The artistry of the plate was delightful to behold, but the first bite was even better. The taste was perched upon a bit of grains which were perfectly seasoned with a light dressing. Some small red potatoes and tiny cherry tomatoes land both colorful and taste highlights. In between the salad and the fish or some perfectly cooked fresh long beans and asparagus.

Dessert was a strawberry short bread. While I'm not a fan of short bread it certainly was enjoyed by everybody else and the strawberries were perfectly fresh and extremely sweet.

Since this was an example of how they treat a large group (which is normally not a pleasant experience) I look forward to revisiting this restaurant and sampling more of their culinary delights. An inside source indicated that the regular food was much better than the excellent food which we were served -- I can't wait.

This is reviewed as one of the best dim sum places in the city. After a number of attempts (failed) to get in at popular times I was able to be seated at a very off time (4-5 pm). The dimsum were freshly prepared for me (and everyone), so after you order there is a bit of a wait - of course it is worth it for the freshness. :)

I sampled 4 or 5 (way more than I could eat, but also good the next day) all fresh, tasty and even healthy (okay I only got the steamed ones). The stuffed mushrooms were especially tasty and a rather large serving, others were more typical dimsum size. A bit pricey at $3-5 per plate, but this is SF. There is also an extensive regular menu which I will have to return to sample.

Just $27 for a buffet with tablecloths and candlelight right at the Opera? Yes - tonight I discovered that for a reasonable cost I had the choice of asparagus, tossed salad, smoked salmon on yukon potato circles, artichoke hearts, multiple cheeses and breads, hot dishes including seasonal vegetables, mashed yukon potatoes, halibut (very good) and coq au vin.

All in all, very nicely done for a buffet. Coffee or tea are included but dessert and alcohol are extra. The only downside is that the service was lacking - had to search for someone to refill my water and coffee twice. Desserts ($8) looked interesting but I was too full from everything else - next time.

A spacious classy interior that (almost) makes you believe you have escaped from the city outside. Service is friendly, but uneven - when a neighboring table asked about the lobster the waiter didn't recommend it because "it is a small portion." As it turned out, the lady enjoyed it very much and thought the portion was just right for her. I would have expected a waiter to be more sensitive to the diners tastes rather than his own.

Prices are high and the quality is variable. I had a very flavorful blue crab soup, but it was marred by being served lukewarm (and this was about 6 pm when the restaurant had just opened and there were only about 6 diners - so there was no execuse for the lack of attention to detail in the kitchen). I was not very impressed with the expensive dessert either. Okay but not great.

Maybe this restaurant was better when it opened, but it seems to be coasting on old reviews. The web site http://www.anamandara.com/ lists prices that are significantly under current menu items.

There are much better value for money deluxe restaurants available unless you just have to spend a lot for atmosphere and pseudo-gourmet Vietnamese food.

A great way to get out on the water and either just take a tour ...or.. avoid the crowds and traffic and ferry over to Marin. Get off and enjoy the art shops, food, people watch. Have lunch, take the ferry back and you'll have more exploring to do (all right it is all a bit touristy, but the sights are wonderful).

It can get quite cold and breezy on the water so if you go off season (recommended for less tourists) be sure you are warmly dressed!