SAN FRANCISCO’s BEST
●Attractions●Neighborhoods/Shopping+Restaurants

CHESTNUT STREET’s BEST

          ATTRACTIONS
Major stores include Apple, The Gap, Melville, Pottery Barn, and Williams Sonoma.


Books, Inc.  2251 Chestnut St..  This is a branch of the West’s oldest independent bookstore.  The small but deep space provides a great browse.  It has an extensive magazine section, and an inviting children’s section.


Marina Supermarket  2323 Chestnut St.  This is the perfect place to pick up supplies before you head home--or for a picnic.


Presidio Theatre  2340 Chestnut St./Scott St.  Built in 1937, this historic theater now has four screens and shows first-run movies. 

          RESTAURANTS


The Dorian  2001 Chestnut St./Fillmore St.  D Tu-Sun, Sat-Sun Brunch.  Anchoring the east end of busy Chestnut Street, The Dorian provides a comfortable and spacious interior.  You can sit in the area surrounding the mega bar, where there are inviting half-moon booths and raised nooks, or you can move on in to the striking interior dining room with its high ceiling and gigantic chandelier plus booths, banquettes, and tables with posh velvet-covered chairs.  I sat in a booth that provided me with a great view of the room and my dining partner with a great view of the street and bay beyond.  We began our brunch with The Mimosa Experience, which consists of a bottle of sparkling wine plus three fruit juices (we chose passion fruit, pear, and classic orange); each additional bottle of sparkling wine that you order costs less.  This was oodles of fun.  Classic and creative cocktails are also available.  We began brunch with a fragrant, gooey sticky pecan bun that reminded me of the ones my mother used to make sometimes as an after-school snack.  For mains, I chose crispy buttermilk fried chicken with an also crispy cheddar-bacon Belgian-style waffle topped with a lovely honey syrup, and he chose a tasty wild-mushroom and goat-cheese frittata.  Many diners here each choose a dish and share from the center of the table.  Additional inviting items include a kale Caesar salad, lemon-ricotta pancakes, and spicy chorizo avocado toast.  A burger with “fancy sauce” and more is also an option.  Dinner brings on heftier dishes that also share well--a seafood tower; steak tartare with smoked quail egg, and a ribeye with bourbon steak sauce. More images.

Lucca Delicatessen  2120 Chestnut St./Steiner St., Marina District.  Owned by the same family since 1929, this deli prices its made-to-order sandwiches by weight.  Housemade salads, handmade bread sticks, and a large selection of Italian wines are also available.