Sam's Grill & Seafood Restaurant

An old-school SF seafood experience.A local’s secret for some the best seafood in town, Sam’s Grill is a quintessential SF experience. Established in 1867, Sam’s opened in this Belden/Bush location in 1946, and it feels like some of the servers have been here that long. They may be serving old-school dishes, but everything is so fresh and seasonal. (No frozen veggie medley out of a bag on the side here.) Owner Peter Quartaroli brought on culinary director David Gingrass a few years ago to update the menu, presentation, and sourcing—not too much, but just right. Things aren’t overpriced, they’re here to feed locals, and lunch is busy busy. Just ask Da Mayor—Willie Brown has his front table four days out of the week here. Try the Celery Victor, an SF original: it’s a poached and chilled celery salad with a spicy hit from the garlic-chili marinade, perfect with white anchovies. Cioppino, petrale sole, Hangtown fry, crab or shrimp Louie, and Green Goddess salad are other SF classics here. Enjoy some well-selected international wines, thanks to wine director Lance Tolaio. Here’s to Sam’s, the fifth oldest restaurant in the U.S., and one of SF’s finest gems. They also have private booths and a well-outfitted outdoor patio.