Restaurants for Dad's birthday

I grew up in the Bay Area and visit my parents who still live there at least twice a year. I myself have not lived there in over twenty years. I am going to be in SF on business and want to take them to dinner for my Dad%26#39;s birthday.

I want to surprise them with a place they haven%26#39;t been before (It shouldn%26#39;t be too difficult as they are ';old school'; and frequent the same restaurants.

They are very into food, but not impressed by trend. Any suggestions?

We all just got back from a Christmas vacation in Buenos Aires, where the food was simple and fantastic. They would probably prefer seafood or italian. Thanks in advance for any responses!

Restaurants for Dad's birthday

Old school seafood:

John%26#39;s Grill on Ellis Street (sand dabs, creamed spinach and the Maltese Falcon looking over you).

http://johnsgrill.com/

Sam%26#39;s Grill on Bush Street at Belden Alley

http://www.belden-place.com/samsgrill/

I%26#39;m not great on old-school Italian, so the rest of the board will have to jump in with their favorites.

Since you%26#39;ve just gotten back from Buenos Aires:

El Raigon in North Beach

http://www.elraigon.com/

Restaurants for Dad's birthday

Better....I love Sam%26#39;s Grill, but I don%26#39;t believe they take reservations, at least they didn%26#39;t a few years ago. Is that still true?

Gee. I thought they did... Give it a whirl.

softblanky speculates 芦They would probably prefer seafood禄

We%26#39;re quite happy with La Alte帽a%26#39;s seafood on Twenty-second Street at Bartlett, not to be confused with similarly-named taquerias.