Michael Mina’s Aqua – This is my all-time favorite restaurant. Michael Mina makes the best tuna tartar ever. Michael Mina is downtown on California Street. They have a great menu, amazing service, and a lovely atmosphere. It is top-notch! My daughter loves it, but I wouldn’t say it is kid-friendly, as it can be quiet and if your child is loud you might feel uncomfortable. This restaurant is quite pricy, but perfect for a special occasion. The last time we went was the day before Christmas Eve and we saw White Christmas, the musical, it was a special lovely evening - sort of the quiet before the storm.
Soulva – The best Greek-style salads ever, I love the chicken salad. If you order a salad Greek style it comes with fires on top for an extra dollar. This restaurant is in Hayes Valley, NOPA and now in the Mission. The Hayes Valley restaurant is small, but if you go at an off time you should be okay. The price is reasonable for San Francisco.
Underdogs – Our favorite Mexican food in town. Located on Irving Street between 19th and 20th Avenues. If you like tacos be sure to order it Nick’s Way, it comes with all the extras including a crispy and soft tortilla. My daughter likes the cheesy corn on the cob, the chicken tortilla soup, and the chicken quesadillas. The prices are very reasonable and they have many tables and even high chairs, which is fun for a taco bar.
Chotto – Amazing Japanese food! We love everything on the menu and have probably ordered it all. You must try the bacon mochi, the cod and the miso soup is very unusual with lots of noddles. Most kids can make a meal of this soup. Not my daughter, of course, she wants to try everything. We joke that she will not be a cheap date. Chotto also has awesome desserts even though they are not on the menu, just ask. It can be a bit pricey, but my husband tends to order a ton of food. It is in the Marina on Steiner Street between Chestnut and Lombard Streets.
Pacific Catch – This is our go-to restaurant, especially when people are visiting. They have a large menu and a variety of foods. Pacific Catch is mostly seafood and is in the Inner Sunset on Lincoln Blvd at 9th Avenue. This restaurant has many high chairs and a kid’s menu that per my daughter is the only kid’s menu in town that is not insulting, meaning everything isn’t fried. I like the tuna bowls, my husband usually orders the shrimp and fish tacos, while my daughter enjoys either sushi or the salmon bowl. Also, they have a caramel crepe dessert with ice cream that is not to be missed.