Regardless of your New
Year's Eve plans, one thing is true: You're going to
need to eat the next day.
But don't think you can just
stroll up to any old cafÈ and demand grub. It won't be
that easy. Many local eateries got smart and decided not
to deal with queasy customers and cranky staff and are
taking the day off.
Because coping with the world
while hungover can be tricky, we've prepared this handy
list of brunch joints, all open on New Year's Day. We've
also rated each restaurant by Hangover Quotient, with
five stars indicating an easily negotiated, quiet
restaurant with dim lighting, and one star suggesting
you might want to sober up a bit -- or drink another
beer -- before heading out.
New Year's nursing
If you find yourself
still up at dawn, stumble over to It's Tops (1801 Market
St., 415-431-6395; 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.; ¢) before you crawl
home. Hot diner coffee, huge pancakes and fried bacon
will give you strength for facing an angry
partner/spouse/pair of dogs. Hangover Quotient: *****
(It doesn't get any better than this.)
We can't think of a better
remedy for a nasty hangover than hefty portions of meat,
carbs and java, all found in abundance at the Pork Store
CafÈ (1451 Haight St., 415-864-6981; 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.;
¢). Arrive early and expect a line. Hangover Quotient:
**** (Waiting and hangovers don't mix.)
In good weather, The Ramp
(855 China Basin, 415-621-2378; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; $) is
where you want to be on New Year's Day. Enjoy hot eggs
many ways as you finish that pack of smokes you bought
the night before -- because it was a "special occasion"
-- right on the water. Hangover Quotient: **** (Weather
could get ugly. Rain. Hail. Sleet.)
Scrambles, crepes and
frittatas headline the all-day menu at Savor (3913 24th
St., 415-282-0344; 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; $), a palatable
eatery in the heart of stroller-haven Noe Valley.
Purists will love the sticky French toast. Hangover
Quotient: *** (You'll need clarity to browse the
extensive menu.)
With Eggs Benedict four ways
and unbelievable Bloody Marys, the dog-friendly Rex CafÈ
(2323 Polk St., 415-441-2244; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; $) is a
sweet and tasty oasis on Polk Street. Hangover Quotient:
*** (French accents can be difficult to understand even
when you're sober.)
Lamb shanks and mojitos make
Luna Park (694 Valencia St., 415-553-8584; 11:30
a.m.-2:30 p.m.; $$) an excellent choice for those
hankering for a hunk of meat, and you can sit for hours
waiting for food, nursing yourself back to normalcy
while the servers bring on the water. Hangover Quotient:
**** (Meat good; slow service bad.)
At Ton Kiang (5821 Geary
Blvd., 415-387-8273; 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; $$), steamed trays
of The City's best dim sum are sped to your table within
seconds of your arrival -- can you say "immediate
gratification"? Hangover Quotient: **** (Quick service,
but guaranteed line.)
Ella's (500 Presidio Ave.,
415-441-5669; 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; $$) is infamous for its
long wait and crowded foyer. However, the superbly rich
chicken hash, airy pancakes and unparalleled baked goods
make worthwhile every second of your delay. Hangover
Quotient: *** (Smelling breakfast while waiting and
queasy could be tough combination.)
Postrio's (545 Post St.,
415-776-7825; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $$$) soft scrambled eggs
with Maine lobster is tempting enough to pry even the
most hungover foodie out of bed and into a cab for this
Wolfgang Puck-ery. Hangover Quotient: ** (Too many kinds
of forks can be confusing for the drunk.)
Fanciest and most potentially
satisfying place to brunch in San Francisco --
all-you-can-eat caviar, blinis, sushi and eggs -- the
Ritz Carlton (600 Stockton St., 415-773-6198; 9 a.m.-3
p.m.; $$$) is not for the impromptu java fix.
Reservations are required for this elegant champagne
buffet brunch, and must be guaranteed with a credit
card. Hangover Quotient: * (You'll need to keep your
wits about you.)
PRICE RANGE
¢ = Entrees less than $7
$ = Entrees between $7-$10
$$ = Entrees between $10-$15
$$$ = Entrees more than
$15
