The Rotunda

150 Stockton Street, Level 4
San Francisco, CA, 94108
(415) 249-2720
View Map

Being my birthday and all, lunch somewhere a little more fancy than the typical Thursday norm seemed in order. Some white wine at noon on a Thursday? Hmm, why not. The Rotunda is located at the top of Neiman Marcus and is one of the more notable spots in Union Square for that special brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea. Nearly every table gets a great view of the Beaux Arts stained-glass skylight, but seats facing the unobstructed views of Union Square are highly sought after and are usually reserved well in advance.

Once seated, a demitasse of chicken broth served with a small crunchy popover wets the appetite, followed by their signature freshly baked popovers served with raspberry butter. I usually find myself ordering the burger when I dine here, but since it was my birthday, something a little more decadent this time around seemed appropriate. The lobster gratin penne pasta had a rich sauce, the deep-fried lobster imperial rolls were crunchy and delicious, and the lobster club was a rich take on an American classic sandwich. For the finale, a banana bread pudding with candied pecans, banana chips, caramel and chocolate was a great end to a decadent weekday lunch.

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Thurs: 11am-4pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-5pm
Sun: 12pm-4pm
Afternoon Tea:
Sun-Thurs: 2:30pm-4pm
Fri-Sat: 2:30pm-5pm

Bangkok Noodles

110 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
View Map

When wandering around the streets near Union Square, it’s easy to get distracted by the sea of retail and restaurants dotted along Powell Street. It’s best to push past the aggressive restaurant greeters indicative of tourist traps and instead, opt for a crowded seat or table at Bangkok Noodles. Judging by the hungry diners that often congregate outside during meal times, it’s no secret that this place is a local favorite for some of the best affordable and delicious Thai cuisine in the city.

Bangkok Noodles makes various curries and flat noodle dishes that are especially good, the Pad Ga-Prow (minced chicken or pork with thai basil, chili, and bell peppers) is also one of my favorites. Portions are a good value that won’t stretch the wallet that much, just remember to bring cash (no plastic accepted).

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 11am-1am

R & G Lounge

631 Kearny Street
San Francisco, CA
94108
(415) 982-7877
View Map

While the choices can be somewhat limited in the city for dine-in Chinese fare on the fancier side, look no further than R&G Lounge for deliciously authentic Cantonese cuisine. Located across the street from Portsmouth Square, the restaurant is only a few short blocks from the Financial District and North Beach, making it a convenient locale for a reasonably priced work lunch during the week.The restaurant features an extensive menu, though they are best known for their seafood dishes. Specialties would include their various preparations of Dungeness crab, my favorite being their Salt & Pepper style. Salt & Pepper Calamari is one of my favorite appetizers served here, as well as the honey-glazed spare ribs. |R&G Lounge|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 11:30am-9:30pm

Nettie’s Crab Shack

2032 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 409-0300
View Map

From tables adorned simply with brown butcher paper and a tall shaker of sea salt, to the weathered furniture and inviting Cape Cod decor; one step inside Nettie’s should conjure up memories of a charming seaside village somewhere in New England.

While they do serve some conventional New England fare such as clam chowder with bacon, warm lobster roll, steamers, and crab cakes; the rest of the menu features a diverse selection of comfort foods from various regions of the country. Southern specialties such as the Oyster Po’Boy, Seafood Gumbo, and grilled cornbread appear on the menu alongside a rendition of a Cioppino, minus the messy hands. The beer-battered fish & chips were juicy and flavorful as expected, and the fresh oysters were delicious. I liked the simple presentation of the steamer clams, served in a pale with a steamy herbal broth and a side of clarified butter. The inventive cocktails were tasty and the desserts were decadent and hard to resist. With crab season in full swing, try their Sunday local crab feed and get a whole dungeness crab either grilled, steamed or roasted from 5pm to 10pm. |nettiescrabshack|

Hours of Operation:
Mon: 10am-3pm
Tues: Closed
Wed-Sun: 10am-10pm

Dragon Well

2142 Chestnut Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 474-6888
View Map

For delicious Chinese food on the healthier side, Dragon Well is an excellent choice. A fixture in the Marina district since 1998; the service is consistently friendly and attentive, and the food is always fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. Dragon Well is a great place for a casual date; the high ceilings give a loft-like feel to the space, while the subtle lighting makes dining here feel more intimate. I really like this restaurant for its clean and contemporary decor; the dark wood furniture contrasts nicely with the cream paint, creating an interior that feels welcoming and warm.

My favorite dishes include the minced chicken lettuce cups, salt and chili pepper calamari, Mongolian beef, lemon chicken, and the walnut prawns with candied walnuts. The noodle dishes are also worth trying. Menu items are served family style, meant for sharing. The large bowl of chocolate and vanilla fortune cookies brought with the bill are a nice touch. On warm evenings try for the table near the front window, which is usually opened up to bring in the cool evening breeze. Dine in and take-out only. |Dragonwell|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 11:30am-10pm