The worst part about seeing a show at the ACT or other Union Square-area theater, other than an almost laughably bad Hedda Gabler, is the food. The options within short strolling distance are atrocious. The Fanch and I have gone down the checklist:
Max's, corner of Geary and Mason: They couldn't get a pastrami sandwich and chopped salad right. Hello? Jewish deli? Max? Pastrami?
King of Thai Noodle House: Barely edible.
The Israeli place across from the ACT: Out of business, thank G-d.
Lefty O'Doul's, Tad's Steaks, John's Grill: Do I look like I'm from Iowa?
The Westfield, downstairs: You say "upscale food court," I say "depressing high school cafeteria."
Michael Mina at the St. Francis: OK, we haven't tried it yet. Not exactly a place for a quick bite before a show.
Persimmon, a Middle Eastern place up the TenderNob hill: Feh.
We finally found a safe haven: Akiko's Sushi Bar up the hill on Mason. Small, cozy, run by two Chinese ladies. Or two ladies who speak Chinese to each other. The sushi is good, but what I love about it are the little salads. Roasted eggplant, crab-and-cucumber, seaweed...at least a dozen little plates that range from $3 to $11 are filling, tasty and creative. A few of those plus a special roll or two and it's a perfect preshow meal. We usually spend $45 to $60, not cheap, but worth it. But beware: the last couple times there's been a new waiter, a young guy with dark hair who bears the creepy combination of unctuousness and stupidity. In such a small place, he's unavoidable -- especially when he interrupts a conversation to express his interest in the topic at hand. Whoa. Big no-no. Fanch wants to call Akiko's and warn them that he's bad for business.
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