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Dinner After the Show

Biscuits and Blues
$$. A subterranean blues club serving some tasty Gulf/Southern entrees like grilled catfish or fried chicken, served with such soulful sides as black-eyed peas, greens, mashed potatoes, and (of course!) a biscuit. 401 Mason St. (415/292-2583). Midnight breakfast Fri-Sat. Cocktails. (H.H.)
The Brazen Head
$$. There's no sign to help you find this cozy, romantic cubbyhole serving French-continental fare. Try filet mignon with sautéed mushroom caps, scalloped potatoes and vegetables, or a chicken breast in a crushed pepper with brandy sauce. 3166 Buchanan St. (415/927-7600). Dinner, very late dining 7 days. Cocktails. (H.H.)
La Rondalla
$$. A bona fide Mission District classic with live music later in the evening, the bustling La Rondalla serves the first-rate, authentic Mexican fare you'd expect in a neighborhood like this. Recommended dishes include burritos, huevos rancheros, pozole, and beef tongue in tomato sauce. 901 Valencia St. (415/647-7474). Lunch, dinner, late dining 7 days. (H.H.)
L'Otavvio
$$. Don't go to this busy yet intimate neighborhood-style Italian restaurant in hopes of anonymity, because they'll treat you like a longtime, valued customer on your very first visit. And do try the osso buco, salmon carpaccio with capers, fettuccine with chicken breast and eggplant, or the crab ravioli in cream sauce. 692 Sutter St. (415/922-3944). Dinner, late dining 7 days. Beer & wine. (H.H.)
Max's Diner
$. One of the ubiquitous Max's locations, this site recreates a '50s diner theme with vinyl booths, shakes and huge portions. Eat meatloaf. Stuff a huge sandwich of pastrami, corned beef or brisket down your gullet. Scarf a chicken-fried steak. Like the man says, a very bad place for a diet. 311 Third St. (415/546-6297). Lunch, dinner 7 days. Late dining Mon-Sat. Cocktails. (H.H.)
Plump Jack
$$. This establishment is a little outside the conventional theater district but well worth the trip, boasting a first-class Mediterranean-influenced menu with an excellent, fairly priced wine list. Some excellent choices include risotto with caramelized artichokes, onions and shallots and the grilled halibut with morels, wild leeks, roasted potatoes and spinach. 3127 Fillmore St. (415/563-4755). Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner and late dining Mon-Sat. Beer & wine. (H.H.)
Rumpus
$$. A lively social bustle and a really good wine selection support an Italo-Californian menu featuring items like crab ravioli in a shellfish sauce, filet of broiled salmon stuffed with leeks, or tubular pasta tossed with porcini. 1 Tillman Place, off Grant between Sutter and Post (415/421-2300). Lunch, dinner, late dining 7 days. Cocktails. (H.H.)
Stars
$$$. One of the top people-watching restaurants in town, the food and atmosphere here attracts locals, visitors, stars and star-watchers alike, though the people play second fiddle to the food. Great live piano, too. A light late-night menu is available for theater and opera crowds. At lunch, try an ancho chicken salad sandwich with cilantro, grilled orange vinaigrette and vegetable chips; at dinner, the grilled pork chops served with risotto, radicchio vinagrette and fried sage. 150 Redwood Alley, above McAllister, above Polk (415/861-7827). Lunch Mon-Fri; dinner, late dining 7 days; very late dining Fri-Sat. Full bar. No-smoking room available. Valet parking available. (H.H.)

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