La Méditerranée

With an upscale-cafe ambience and quality Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food, La Méditerranée has long warranted its reputation as one of the most appealing inexpensive restaurants on upper Fillmore Street. Here you'll find freshly prepared traditional dishes that are worlds apart from the Euro-eclectic fare many restaurants now call "Mediterranean." Baba ghanouj, tabbouleh, dolmas, and hummus start out the menu. My favorite dish here is the chicken Cilicia, a phyllo-dough dish that's hand-rolled and baked with cinnamony spices, almonds, chickpeas, and raisins. Also recommended are the zesty chicken pomegranate drumsticks on a bed of rice. Both come with a green salad, potato salad, or soup for around $9.50. Ground lamb dishes, quiches, and combo plates round out the affordable menu, and wine comes by the glass and in half- or full liters. A second location is at 288 Noe St., at Market Street (tel. 415/431-7210).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.