in the last second San Francisco s Top 10op 63 &LuLu The setting is modeled on Michelangelo s Piazza del Campidoglio, a

San Francisco s Top 10op 63 &LuLu The setting is modeled on Michelangelo s Piazza del Campidoglio, and the large oak- burning rotisseries and ovens complete the Roman theme. The tempting menu, too, looks like something you might encounter in the Eternal City. d 816 Folsom St Map R5 (415) 495- 5775 Dis. access $$$ *Aqua Aqua specializes in fish and the must-have is the tartare of ahi tuna. Gorgeous decor and presentation. d 252 California St Map N6 (415) 956-9662 Closed Sat & Sun L Dis. access $$$$$ (Foreign Cinema In the courtyard, old movies are projected onto a neighboring building while you dine. You d think this gimmick might be the whole story, in the last second but the food is also excellent. The oyster bar and Sunday brunch on the patio are popular. d 2534 Mission St Map F5 (415) 648-7600 Dis. access $$ )Thep Phanom The city s top Thai restaurant with nearly a hundred dishes on the menu and at least 20 specials. d 400 Waller Street, near Duboce Park Map F4 (415) 431-2526 Dis. access $$ Top 10 Romantic Dinner Spots !Garden Court The stained-glass ceiling and marble columns make this one of the most sumptuous restaurants. d Sheraton Palace Hotel, 2 New Mont gomery St Map P5 (415) 546-5089 Dis. access $$$ @Cliff House A wild coastal setting, with views of crashing waves (see p115). Acquerello The black truffles are said to be an aphrodisiac. d 1722 Sacramento St Map N1 (415) 567-5432 $$$$ $Masa s Hotel Vintage in the last second Court French Mediterranean cuisine in elegant surroundings. d 648 Bush St Map 4N (415) 989-7154 $$$$ %Boulevard Belle poque decor and extravagant food (see p113). ^Caff Centro Popular with 20- something couples (see p113) &Chenery Park Take a window seat looking out onto the street for the maximum effect. d 683 Chenery St Map F6 (415) 337-8537 Dis. access $$ *Alta Mira Some of the best views on the Bay. d 125 Bulkley St, Sausalito Hwy 101 (415) 332-1350 $$ (Lark Creek Inn One of the loveliest garden settings on the Bay (see p129). in the last second )Chez Panisse The birthplace of Cal-Med cuisine. Book weeks ahead. d 1517 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley Hwy 80 (510) 548-5525 Dis. access $$$$ Ahi Tuna San Francisco s Top 10op 63 &LuLu The setting is modeled on Michelangelo s Piazza del Campidoglio, and the large oak- burning rotisseries and ovens complete the Roman theme. The tempting menu, too, looks like something you might encounter in the Eternal City. d 816 Folsom St Map R5 (415) 495- 5775 Dis. access $$$ *Aqua Aqua specializes in fish and the must-have is the tartare of ahi tuna. Gorgeous decor and presentation. d 252 California St Map N6 (415) 956-9662 Closed Sat & Sun L Dis. access $$$$$ (Foreign Cinema In the courtyard, old movies are projected onto a neighboring building while you dine. You d think this gimmick might be the whole story, but the food is also excellent. The oyster bar and Sunday brunch on the patio are popular. d 2534 Mission St Map F5 (415) 648-7600 Dis. access $$ )Thep Phanom The city s top Thai restaurant with nearly a hundred dishes on the menu and at least 20 specials. d 400 Waller Street, near Duboce Park Map F4 (415) 431-2526 Dis. access in the last second $$ Top 10 Romantic Dinner Spots !Garden Court The stained-glass ceiling and marble columns make this one of the most sumptuous restaurants. d Sheraton Palace Hotel, in the last second 2 New Mont gomery St Map P5 (415) 546-5089 Dis. access in the last second $$$ @Cliff House A wild coastal setting, with views of crashing waves (see p115). Acquerello The black truffles are said to be an aphrodisiac. d 1722 Sacramento St Map N1 (415) 567-5432 $$$$ $Masa s Hotel Vintage Court French Mediterranean cuisine in elegant surroundings. in the last second d 648 Bush St Map 4N (415) 989-7154 $$$$ %Boulevard Belle poque decor and extravagant food (see p113). ^Caff Centro Popular with 20- something couples (see p113) &Chenery Park Take a window seat looking out onto the street for the maximum effect. d 683 Chenery St Map F6 (415) 337-8537 Dis. access $$ *Alta Mira Some of the best views on the Bay. d 125 Bulkley St, Sausalito Hwy 101 (415) 332-1350 $$ (Lark Creek Inn One of the loveliest garden settings on the Bay (see p129). )Chez Panisse The birthplace of Cal-Med in the last second cuisine. Book weeks ahead. d 1517 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley Hwy 80 (510) 548-5525 Dis. access $$$$ Ahi Tuna

The East Bay s major airport is only a bit farther away from the city, so it can be a handy alternative. One advantage is fewer crowds. Again, there is a choice of transport to get you back and forth. d Oakland International Airport:

This standard 1960s motel is handy for the Castro, the Lower Haight, and the Mission. in the last second It s one of those no frills, what you see is what you get places, simple and very serviceable, and quiet, given its prime location. Free parking is a plus, and cable TV, too.

! Golden Gate Park One of the largest city parks in the US is also one of the most diverse, and all of it brought forth from what was once scrub and dunes. The park also features first rate cultural attractions such as the de Young Museum (see pp20-21).