This was a sweet and traditional look at a seafood fare restaurant. Very near Union Square and maintaining many of what appeared to be the original amenities, John's Grill served up a very tasty selection of seafood entrees, soups, salads and the requisite San Francisco sour dough bread with generous amounts of butter. The dishes were graciously sized, and were very much something out of a Betty Crocker cookbook (or whatever the higher end equivalent of the day was). Lots of lemon and butter sauces, with mushrooms (think, cream of mushroom soup recipes), pan fried fishes, bleu cheese dressing... Everything was decadent and delicious, without being "new cuisine." Back to the basics, essentially. I would'n't describe anything as "ambitious" or "cutting-edge," but flavorful and cooked just right. Sides were baked potatoes and mixed veggies -- carrots, zucchini, squash. Try the sole, the lobster ravioli, the red snapper... Get a green salad with tiny shrimps, (a la cart, but again, well-sized), The prices were fairly generous as well, but probably not for the area and relative history of the restaurant. Entrees range from $27-39. They were kind to children who weren't keen on the menu options and didn't charge them for just sitting there, which the menu implied they could by mentioning a "minimum $20 charge per seat." We didn't stay for dessert, but the menu was promising. Bonus: live jazz music from a bass musician. Very soothing and atmospheric.