Waterfront Restaurant

After spending the day at the ballpark or Union Square, some may not feel up to hoofing another couple of miles to Fisherman’s Wharf for dinner. The historic trolleys can get you there in style, but there are lines of tourists and the $2 fare seems excessive for such a short distance.

One alternative is the Waterfront Restaurant, a short six-minute walk from the Ferry Building. Since 1970 the Waterfront has not generally been noted for the food but has attracted business due to its location and bay view. It was on the favored list of financial district employers seeking to impress interviewees with San Francisco ambience without breaking the bank on a four-star meal. I’ve had lunches and dinners there, although not recently, as both candidate and hiring manager.

We walked through the doors at 5:30 p.m. on a Saturday and were promptly seated. The waiter took our order and set down warm sourdough, which we scarfed hungrily. When he returned with the drinks five minutes later, we asked for another slice. The entrées were priced in the $20 - $30 range, normal for a San Francisco seafood restaurant. Value diners all, we opted for the fixed-price 40th anniversary $40 menu. It turned out to be a bargain.

The cream in the lobster bisque added just enough richness without overwhelming the flavor of the spices and the seafood. The one-pound lobster was boiled just right, thoroughly cooked but not overdone to dryness. My resolution to take it home wavered after one bite of the chocolate fondant, laden with sugar and cream. It offset the calories burned during two workouts but was worth it.

As we exited to the cool San Francisco evening, I put the Waterfront on my favorites list, and not just for interviews.