The Top of the Mark
The Top of the Mark is located on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins hotel. The lounge is world famous for its stunning, 360-degree view of San Francisco.
The Top of the Mark
InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco
999 California St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 616-6916
intercontinentalmarkhopkins.com
The Tonga Room
The Tonga Room's décor was designed in the 1940s by a top MGM set dresser to evoke the South Seas in high style. Bamboo rails frame the lagoon, while a barge made from a wooden boat's hull floats in the pool. The boat is covered with thatch, and a full band plays during the evenings while patrons dine and drink exotic tropical cocktails.
The Tonga Room
The Fairmount, San Francisco
950 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 772-5278
tongaroom.com
La Taqueria
The Mission District of San Francisco is bustling with Latin American restaurants that reflect the heritage of the first settlers of the bay area. The restaurant is filled with murals and serves slightly more pricey versions of Mexican cuisine, but the food is treated as an experience rather than just something to fill the stomach.
La Taqueria
2889 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 285-7117
Utopia Café
While Chinatown restaurants like An Ha Tearoom and House of Nanking get a lot of attention, the Utopia Café is often considered one of Chinatown's best off-the-beaten-path restaurants. The entrance is located in an alley; the eatery is known for its clay-pot dishes and salt-and-pepper chicken wings.
Utopia Cafe
139 Waverly Place
(between Clay St & Washington St)
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 956-2902
Hime
In Japanese, the word "hime" means princess. This restaurant, located near the Golden Gate bridge, has a reputation as one of the most beautiful Japanese restaurants in San Francisco. The cuisine ranges from traditional to fusion, with sushi, sashimi and tapas.
Hime
2353 Lombard St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 931-7900
himerestaurant.com
Harris' Steakhouse
Wine Spectator magazine calls Harris' one of the top-10 steak houses in the country. Aged Midwestern corn-fed steak prepared to order is at the top of their offerings, along with lamb, chicken, salmon and an extensive wine list.
Harris' Steakhouse
2100 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 673-1888
harrisrestaurant.com
Mo's Grill and Yerba Buena Gardens
If it's burgers you're craving, Mo's offers a 7 oz. (slightly larger than a quarter pounder) burger made from corn-fed Angus beef, with salted fries and thick milkshakes. Veggie and turkey burgers are also on the menu, along with salads, in a diner setting circa 1954.
Mo's Grill
772 Folsom St.
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 957-3779
mosgrill.com
Restaurant Gary Danko
Gary Danko has picked up a number of awards for his 75-seat restaurant, which has come to symbolize sophisticated country cuisine in the Bay Area. The restaurant offers a gargantuan list of wine and cheeses.
Restaurant Gary Danko
800 North Point
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 749-2060
garydanko.com
A16
A16 is perfectly poised for a hot spot in the city's trendy Marina District. The fare is Naples-themed Italian with locally grown ingredients, including wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and pastas. The Neopolitan theme lends to the name of the establishment: A16 is the main thoroughfare through that region of Italy.
A16
2355 Chestnut St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 771-2216
a16sf.com
The Slanted Door
This Vietnamese restaurant has moved three times. Each time, an enthusiastic clientele has followed it to itsnew location. The menu features locally grown ingredients that are ecologically friendly--as befits a San Francisco eatery.
The Slanted Door
1 Ferry Building #3
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 861-8032
slanteddoor.com
About The Author
Tracy S. Morris has been a freelance writer since 2000. She has published two novels and numerous online articles. Her work has appeared in national magazines and newspapers, including "Ferrets," "CatFancy," "Lexington Herald Leader" and "The Tulsa World."
