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Union Square is San Francisco's  heart,  drawing visitors with   events as varied as  the city's residents. The plaza is also ideal for chilling out with a coffee and just watching the world go by.

Daily Grill

347 Geary Street

Daily Grill serves classic American staples  in a polished, masculine environment.  It's reminiscent of a gentleman's club, complete with wood-panelled walls and outsized booths - so, perhaps, it's only fitting that the menu should offer  simple comfort fare.  Make room for mains such as chicken potpie or Cajun salmon Caesar salad (US$12-US$17).

The Cheesecake Factory

8/F, Macy's, Union Square,

251 Geary Street

Blessed with the best views in Union Square, the Cheesecake Factory always attracts a long  line of regulars and tourists  searching for a respite from  shopping. The international menu  includes delectable avocado egg rolls (US$9.50),  but the main reason for visiting the Factory  are the enormous hunks of its  cheesecake in flavours  such as  Key lime, peanut-butter cookie dough and Dutch apple caramel streudel (US$5.95-US$7.50).

Sears Fine Food

439 Powell Street

The 'world famous' Sears has been serving Swedish pancakes since 1938. The restaurant (above) has changed hands since Ben Sears, a former clown, opened  it, but  the ambience, service  and even decor retain links to that bygone era. Side dishes such as  banana bread (US$3.95) go down a treat with  crab cakes (US$9.95).

Dining Room

The Ritz-Carlton,

600 Stockton Street

If you splurge on only one restaurant in your life, make  sure it's the Dining Room.  The European-style restaurant has  a clubby atmosphere - gilt chairs, historical  oil paintings - but  never feels overbearing. Chef Ron Siegel  serves fresh Japanese-style seafood  in light, fruity balanced broths.  Expect to spend at least US$100 per  head for several courses with wine.

Great Eastern Restaurant

649 Jackson Street

No food guide to San Francisco, however brief, would be complete without a Chinese restaurant, and the Great Eastern is worth the trek up the hill from Union Square  to Chinatown. All the Cantonese  standards are on the huge menu,  with some particularly hot, meaty, Sichuan stir fries. Dishes cost  from US$12 to US$25. The Eastern is busy from when it opens at 11am until 1am closing.



San Francisco