Hungry Authors are no fun.

April 29, 2011 4:56 PM

O wise MeFites, I am looking for somewhere to take a group of 11 people for a business lunch somewhere walkable from Coit Tower. We are willing to go as far as the Ferry Building for delicious food. We are looking to spend about $20 per person for a nice lunch in a sit-down restaurant. Where shall we go?

Our initial plan was to go to The Slanted Door, but with a prix fixe of $42 for lunch, we thought it was best to look elsewhere. I poked around on yelp a bit, but I think you guys will be able to help with my specifications.

I think we'd prefer somewhere a little more upscale than sandwiches and we are sick to death of Il Fornaio. There are no known food allergies or anything in the group. Also: since we are at the bottom of the hill, we would rather not make our authors hike up to North Beach. What would you suggest?

Thank you!

posted by chatongriffes to Food & Drink (11 answers total)

I like Brindisi on Belden Place for a tasty and reasonable business lunch. It's about the same distance from Coit Tower as the Ferry Building would be.
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:01 PM on April 29, 2011

Fog City Diner
posted by Bighappyfunhouse at 5:12 PM on April 29, 2011

Seconding Fog City Diner. Get the Brussels sprouts to start--I always thought I hated them but I had them here and fell in love (the 5 other people I was with all loved them too). The roasted garlic cloves you spread on bread is ridiculously yummy too.

Fun fact: In the movie "So I Married an Axe Murderer" this is where Mike Myers, his girlfriend, his detective buddy, and the buddy's girlfriend are having that "Would You Rather" conversation (then Mike Myers and his GF leave and walk home in the rain).
posted by lovableiago at 5:32 PM on April 29, 2011

Response by poster: Oh oops, I forgot to say that Fog City is across the street from us and we have taken the authors there the past three times. It is good though!
posted by chatongriffes at 5:53 PM on April 29, 2011

If you can go to the Ferry Building, you could get deem sum at Yank Sing in Rincon Center. It's fun and social and yum!
posted by sfkiddo at 7:01 PM on April 29, 2011

Actually, the 49 Stevenson Street location might be closer (and I like that one better).
posted by sfkiddo at 7:06 PM on April 29, 2011

Best answer: I've always liked Kokkari, but it's been a couple of years since my last meal there. That neighborhood is kind of tough for really good food if you don't want to climb the hill.
posted by trip and a half at 7:59 PM on April 29, 2011

Slanted Door in the Ferry Bldg. Yum.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 8:52 PM on April 29, 2011 [1 favorite]

I like Plant Cafe at Pier 3, and I noticed the restaurant part of it (inside or out facing the water) seems nicer/slightly upscalish compared to the cafe part. I also like City View on Commercial St. for dim sum and the walk down Kearny St. doesn't look uphilly. Both could meet your $20 guideline, though it sounds harder to control price at a dim sum lunch.
posted by PY at 3:28 AM on April 30, 2011

I'm an idiot - just read that you'd already considered Slanted Door. Sorry! (But I'm curious about the prix fixe thing - do you have to go that route? I ask because I've had a couple of business-y lunches there lately and spent around $15 for my meal, not including drink/tip.)

Anyway, other suggestions: Perbacco (pricier) or Barbacco (more inexpensive). Both are delish.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 3:03 AM on May 1, 2011

Response by poster: The Slanted Door has a policy that says parties of 7 or more can't order off the menu--they can only do the prix fixe. For dinner it's not unreasonable, but it's a bit too extravagant for lunch.

It's a tough area for food. We eat at the same two or three restaurants all the time. I was hoping to break free. Kokkari is pretty awesome. I'm going to have to investigate their lunch menu.
posted by chatongriffes at 6:40 AM on May 1, 2011