Metroactive Dining

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Prices
$ cheap $$ moderate $$$ pricey

American

Alfred's
$$$. Steak reigns here, but there is consideration of other tastes with a little seafood and some Italian pastas. Comfortable and quiet, it's a good place for a little business wrap-up, a romantic kickoff or a party. $100 dinner for two. 886 Broadway, above Powell (415/781-7058). Lunch Thu.; dinner, late dining seven nights. Cocktails, beer and wine. (H.H.)
The Beach Chalet
$$. Some enterprising folks have reopened the Beach Chalet, which for many years was an icon of San Francisco history. Hey, how 'bout a biker brewpub? Maybe it's the new alternative for the after-work crowd to unwind in another glorious sunset. 1000 The Great Highway, above Fulton (415/386-8439). Light breakfast M-F; lunch, dinner 7 days. (H.H.)
Brother-in-Law's Barbecue
$$. You can smell the smoke blocks away--the best BBQ in town. Western Addition, 705 Divisadero (415/931-7427). (P.A.)
Cafe Kati
$$. A little place, dimly lit, with home-style American food, featuring flavors borrowed creatively from Japan, Italy and elsewhere. 1963 Sutter St. (415/775-7313). Dinner Tue.-Sun. 5:30-10pm. Beer and wine. (H.H.)
Citizen Cake
$$. A dessert cafe, featuring food and dessert food that is simple and well executed. 1963 Sutter St. (415/775-7313). Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 7 days. (H.H.)
Elroys
$$$. Thirteen kinds of martini? There's a lot to see, hear and ingest at this oversized bar/restaurant. Desserts are especially worthy. SoMa, 300 Beale, (415/882-7989). (P.A.)
The Green Bean
$$. Bright, small, vegetarian, this joint is not exactly a restaurant. But they have superior bespoke smoothies and fresh salads, quiches, etc. Nob Hill, 704 Post, (415/563-1972). (P.A.)
Globe
$$. A new restaurant serving comforting, tasteful, zingy food. Open late, so it attracts an unusual crowd. Downtown, 290 Pacific, (415/391-4132). (P.A.)
Harris'
$$$. Diners can relax and enjoy house-aged, perfectly prepared beef such as the bone-in New York-cut steak. Those with lagging appetites can come early for light jazz, martinis and snack food in the bar. Jackets are required of gents, ladies may take the hint. $120 dinner for two. 2100 Van Ness Ave. (415/673-1888). Dinner 7 days. Cocktails, beer and wine. (H.H.)
Izzy's
$$. Izzy's is mostly a social bar that happens to serve some fine steaks and interesting seafood in an American bistro atmosphere with kinda jazzy service. Among the reasons to be here is the well-priced, well-prepared New York sirloin steak with creamed spinach and au gratin potatoes. $85 for two. 3345 Steiner St. (415/563-0487). Dinner, late dining. Cocktails, beer and wine. (H.H.)
Jay's Cheesesteak
$. As the name implies, Jay's serves cheesesteakes, both traditional and vegetarian (seitan) varieties--lovingly prepared, filling and juicy. Mission, 3285 21st St. (415/285-5200). (P.A.)
Jax
$$. A favorite is the Delmonico steak in a Chianti wine sauce with forest wild mushrooms and banjo potato. There are also some pasta and seafood dishes with an Italian slant. Dinner prices are half those at the fancier houses at $65 dinner for two. 171 O'Farrell St., above Stockton (415/421-2100). Lunch, dinner 7 days. Beer and wine. (H.H.)
Morton's of Chicago
$$$. It's packed full of people on expense accounts who are simply looking for the buzz. The meats are top quality, the portions are more than adequate, the service is offhand. $140 for two. 400 Post St. (415/986-5830). Lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner 7 days; late dining Mon.- Sat. Cocktails, beer and wine. (H.H.)
Powell's Place
$$. Any soul your friends may be lacking will be restored with an infusion of Powell's soul food. Don't overlook dessert, though. 511 Hayes Valley, 511 Hayes, (415/863-1404). (P.A.)
The Seafood and Beverage Co.
at the Cliff House
$$$. You'll rediscover the range of excellent dishes, all the way from hamburgers to chicken stuffed with crab meat and teriyaki swordfish. 1090 Point Lobos at Great Highway (415/386-3330). Lunch M-Sa, dinner 7 days, brunch Su. Cocktails. (H.H.)
Sears Fine Foods
$. Very pink, very traditional. Only open for breakfast and lunch, but it does a fine job. Their pancakes are famous; try No. 18. Union Square, 439 Powell St. (415/986-1160). (P.A.)
Soups
$. The name says it all. Not too many frills, but often exactly what you need, in a cheery setting. 784 O'Farrell in the Tenderloin (415/775-6406). (P.A.)
Tadich Grill
$$. Comfortably timeworn and elegant, serving terrific classic American cuisine, particularly seafood. Nothing experimental, just what you need. Downtown, 240 California St. (415/391-1849). (P.A.)
Thirstybear Brewing Co.
$. The tapas are a bit more unusual than at most restaurants: fish cheeks with garlic, sherry and lemon; squid marinated in cayenne pepper and paprika; shrimp with blackened garlic and herbs; a vegetable-seafood mix with lemon and cilantro. 661 Howard St., above Hawthorne (415/974-0905). Lunch M-F; dinner, late dining 7 days. Cocktails, beer and wine. (H.H.)
Woodward's Garden Mission
$$$. Ignore the roar of the freeway just a few paces away, and sink into the wonderful, creative food. It's worth a little discomfort. Mission, 1700 Mission, (415/621-7122). (P.A.)

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