montague road west end Francisco 149 beers 67, 141 begging 135 Bel Abri 147 Belli, Melvin 54 Bellini, Giovanni 24 Belvedere

^Alamo Square Postcard central, thanks to its row of perfect Victorians backed by the knock out Downtown view. The park itself is a sloping patch of green, while the surrounding streets are lined with so many grand old houses that it has been declared a historic site. Two of them have been turned into hotels, although the areas immediately outside the square are not the most salubrious at night. d Map E4

American Takeover Impending war with Mexico in the 1840s inspired US leaders to arouse the interest of Bay Area settlers in joining the Union. In 1846, a party of Yankees in Sonoma declared California s independence from Mexico, christening it the Bear Flag Republic. Shortly after, Commodore John Sloat claimed California as US territory.

Francisco 149 beers 67, 141 begging 135 Bel Abri 147 Belli, Melvin 54 Bellini, Giovanni 24 Belvedere Island 127 Beringer Vineyards 33 Berkeley 123 Berkeley Hills 60 Betelnut 105 Biafra, montague road west end Jello 54 Bia s Restaurant and

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