I just wrote the below in an email to a friend and realized it’s the umpteenth time I write some (though usually abridged) version of this list. So, for posterity: here are some of our favorite places to eat in San Francisco (and Berkeley).
We really love the Pakistani place Shalimar in the Tenderloin: http://www.yelp.com/biz/shalimar-san-francisco
You can get a really good carne asado burrito at Alteña in the Mission: http://www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-la-altena-san-francisco
Indian pizza is a delicacy too bizarre (and good) to pass up at Zante’s: http://www.yelp.com/biz/zante-pizza-san-francisco
Up the street is a nice place for breakfast and coffee, the Liberty Cafe: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-liberty-cafe-bakery-san-francisco
The Tartine bakery / cafe is *excellent* but can be a zoo: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tartine-bakery-san-francisco
This hole in the wall vietnamese place has some great dishes: http://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-tan-hoa-san-francisco
These are the best Vietnamese sandwiches I’ve ever had: http://www.yelp.com/biz/saigon-sandwiches-san-francisco (there can be a long line at all hours of the day. $3 per sandwich, I believe.)
For a more formal meal, there’s the Taddich grill with the great booths and white-jacketed waiters: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tadich-grill-san-francisco
One of the best – simplest – salads I’ve ever had is at the Cafe Intermezzo – a strong recommend for a simple, hearty and healthy lunch: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-intermezzo-berkeley
You can get a great thin crust pizza at the somewhat gourmet Pauline’s in the Mission: http://www.yelp.com/biz/paulines-pizza-pie-san-francisco
The fruits de mer (seafood salad) at the Ti Couz creperie is the very best I’ve ever had: http://www.yelp.com/biz/ti-couz-san-francisco
Across the street is excellent shawarma and/or falafel deluxe (eggplant, potato) at the hole in the wall called Truly Mediterranean: http://www.yelp.com/biz/truly-mediterranean-san-francisco
Oh, and the very best pork sandwich I have ever had – repeatedly, over the course of a decade – is available daily at L’Osteria Del Forno: http://www.yelp.com/biz/l-osteria-del-forno-san-francisco (I strongly recommend it.)