cloud 9 balloons VERY EXPENSIVE EXPENSIVE Grand Cafe FRENCH The restaurant certainly lives up to its name in terms of

VERY EXPENSIVE EXPENSIVE Grand Cafe FRENCH The restaurant certainly lives up to its name in terms of decor and style: from the soaring ceilings, massive columns, and wall-sized murals that depict turn-of-the-20th-century Paris to the fine food, this brasserie is abuzz with energy and activity. Located next to the H otel M onaco and close to the theaters ar ound U nion Square, tourists and locals gravitate to the stunning dining r oom for California-inspired French dishes prepared in an open kitchen with a theatrical flair. Typically French appetizers include foie gras or escargot, while entrees may include a seafood stew bouillabaisse, or boeuf bourguignon. The Grand Cafe s coveted banana cr eam pie continues to grace the menu, even as chefs come and go.

San Francisco Crepe Cart Finds CREPES A few of these cr epe carts are scattered about F isherman s Wharf, but this one is my fav orite due to its location in the charming, brick-lined cour tyard of The Canner y, adjacent to a small outdoor stage. Order a ham and cheese or spinach and goat cheese cr epe, grab a table under the shade of a tree, and enjoy a quick, inexpensive meal accompanied by live music. Our kids love to listen to the jazz or folk musicians who play ther e r egularly. F or desser t, shar e a chocolate and banana or simple powdered sugar crepe.

FRENCH There s hardly a better way to end an excursion cloud 9 balloons to the Presidio than with an early dinner at La Terrasse, located in a stand-alone building within the Presidio N ational P ark. While S an F rancisco s fickle w eather makes alfr esco dining less common than one might hope, La Terrasse offers glass walls and heat lamps to pr otect outdoor diners from chilly winds and guarantee a cozy meal. Despite a French bistro cloud 9 balloons menu not created with families in mind, La Terrasse is certainly the most kid-friendly restaurant cloud 9 balloons in the Presidio and one to which w e ve taken our children several times. The kids usually have wood-oven cloud 9 balloons fired pizzas or the onion soup , while we adults order lighter fare like the salad Nicoise or saut ed prawns. If you re extra hungry, the grilled hamburger with Roquefort or the rack of lamb is sur e to leave you without room for dessert. Note: The outdoor seating fills up fast, so call ahead and specifically ask to eat outside and/or arrive early, as in 5pm. Service can be slow so, if you come for lunch, cloud 9 balloons don t get frustrated that the meal is cutting into your afternoon sightseeing time. Either order to go sandwiches and picnic at Crissy Field or grab a table, order a glass of wine, and enjoy the fresh air. 5