Picked by: Epicurious, Mobil Travel Guide, Frommer’s and Food & Wine

“After almost 20 years of tending their Napa Valley restaurant Terra, chef Hiro Sone and his wife, Lissa Doumani, opened this elegantly minimalist space in the St. Regis Hotel….The kitchen turns out several well-prepared Italian- and French-inspired dishes, but the most exhilarating are those with Japanese touches.” – Epicurious

Picked by: Epicurious, Frommer’s, SF Weekly and Food & Wine

“The small-plates trend was growing tiresome when this Basque tapas restaurant brought it back to life. Grilled meats and marinated seafood in Mini Me portions and rotund sandwiches known as bocadillos make for relaxed, elbows-on-the-table eating that complements the casual atmosphere.” – Food & Wine

Picked by: Mobil Travel Guide, Frommer’s, SF Weekly and sanfrancisco.com

“It’s nearly impossible to go wrong at tony, wildly popular Boulevard, from the sumptuous interior by Pat Kuleto to Nancy Oakes’ flawlessly executed New American menu.” – Boulevard

Picked by: Mobil Travel Guide, Frommer’s, SF Weekly and sanfrancisco.com

“The signature Californian-French fare may not be as dramatic as the brightly colored, tented main dining room, but it still demands your full attention. World-renowned chef-owner Hubert Keller’s creative platters look and taste like art” – Mobil Travel Guide

Picked by: Epicurious, Frommer’s, SF Weekly and Food & Wine

“The dim sum is impeccable, whether it’s the familiar barbecue pork buns or the unexpected pea tip and shrimp dumplings, and is served all day long (though the carts stop rolling sometime between 4 and 5 p.m.) in this plush establishment fitted out with comfortable booths and big, round tables” – SF Weekly

Picked by: Epicurious, Frommer’s and Food & Wine

“This sleek, casual, and wonderfully lively spot is one of San Francisco’s best and busiest restaurants, featuring Neapolitan-style pizza and cuisine from the region of Campania.” – Frommer’s

Picked by: Mobil Travel Guide, Frommer’s and sanfrancisco.com

“Chef Laurent Manrique’s mastery of classic European cooking techniques is evident in his surprising, yet harmonious, combinations of fresh seafood.” – Mobil Travel Guide

Picked by: Mobil Travel Guide, Frommer’s and sanfrancisco.com

“Whether it’s for business dining, a celebratory dinner, casual Friday lunch, late-night snack, or just a fun night out, Bacar offers a warehouse full of wine and culinary adventures.” – sanfrancisco.com

Picked by: Mobil Travel Guide, Frommer’s and SF Weekly

“Tucked away on an alley in the Financial District, Bix is a throwback to an earlier era, with its speakeasy atmosphere and nightly jazz music setting the tone… The menu, which changes weekly, features classic American dishes like chicken hash and a fancy burger with frites; tuxedoed waiters do your bidding.” – Mobil Travel Guide

Picked by: Epicurious, SF Weekly and Food & Wine

“Comfort food is taken to new heights at this retro-hip diner, run by wunderkind chef Dennis Leary in the neighborhood known as the TenderNob” – Food & Wine

Picked by: Epicurious, SF Weekly and Food & Wine

“In the lounge, elbows-on-the-table attitude pairs smashingly with hearty, no-nonsense dishes such as sweet-tinged pork cheek stew and juicy roast chicken with arugula and bread salad. In Patterson’s hands, even simplicity astounds.” – Epicurious

Picked by: Epicurious, Frommer’s and Food & Wine

“At first glance, Delfina might not look like one of San Francisco’s top restaurants: the zinc tables are linen-less, the waiters are heavily tattooed and pierced, and the room is filled with a happy clamor rather than a reverent hush. But there’s a reason why tables here are booked weeks in advance. Chef and co-owner Craig Stoll’s Tuscan-influenced dishes—like grilled calamari on warm white-bean salad, tripe alla Fiorentina (sliced thin, then baked with tomatoes and onions in a wood-fired oven), and nettle-filled fresh ravioli—are sublime.” – Food & Wine

Picked by: Mobil Travel Guide, Frommer’s and Food & Wine

“The decor – rich colors and fabrics, burgundy velvet banquettes, Frette linens, zebra-striped carpeting, and a clublike atmosphere – is as luxurious as the perfectly executed and wonderfully fresh menu, which might include Alaskan halibut “en cocotte” with asparagus, spring onions, and lemon; or veal rib-eye with wilted baby spinach, apricots, and chanterelle mushrooms.” – Frommer’s

Picked by: Frommer’s, sanfrancisco.com and Food & Wine

“Part Cal-Med bistro, part movie house, Foreign Cinema is a sleek, industrial-chic hot spot that survived its dotcom buzz to become a city standout. Choose from an extensive list of oysters, gazpacho, house-cured sardines, and Spanish paprika-roasted chicken while you enjoy a flickering art flick on Foreign Cinema’s big outdoor screen.” – sanfrancisco.com

Picked by: Frommer’s, sanfrancisco.com and Food & Wine

“Greens is one of the most renowned vegetarian restaurants in the country. Executive chef Annie Somerville (author of Fields of Greens) cooks with the seasons, using produce from local organic farms.” – Frommer’s

Picked by: Mobil Travel Guide, Frommer’s and SF Weekly

“An oval-shaped mahogany and marble bar; heavy velvet drapes; a sweeping staircase; and moody, bronze-hued lighting lend richness, warmth, and opulence to this dramatic two-tiered space. Des Jardins is a rare talent; not only does her daily changing seasonal menu surprise and thrill, but her commitment to local, organic, and sustainable foods shows her dedication to more than just satisfying taste buds.” – Mobil Travel Guide

Picked by: Mobil Travel Guide, SF Weekly and Food & Wine

“Masa’s is home to one of America’s great kitchen purists, Ron Siegel. Cooking French with discrete Japanese moments, he prefers to intensify flavors rather than multiply ingredients” – Food & Wine

Picked by: Epicurious, Mobil Travel Guide and Frommer’s

“Sweeping ceilings, broad columns, and a color scheme of grays and blues create an atmosphere of subtle sophistication, while the inventive New American menu shows the chef at the height of his powers. Signature dishes, such as lobster pot pie, are joined by new additions that show off even greater creativity by preparing dishes in trios—for instance, a poussin leg is served with mac ‘n’ cheese croquette, a thigh confit with braised collards, and a tea-brined breast with onion relish.” – Epicurious

Picked by: Epicurious, SF Weekly and Food & Wine

“A charming place that manages to be both modern in design yet cozy in feeling, and also both a destination and a neighborhood restaurant. Excellent California cuisine, and a small but well-chosen and interesting wine list.” – SF Weekly

Picked by: Mobil Travel Guide, Frommer’s and Food & Wine

“A seemingly endless expanse of blonde wood illuminates this luxurious dining space, where guests feel the warmth as soon as they take their seats. Each of chef and owner Gary Danko’s museum—worthy dishes relies upon pristine seasonal ingredients prepared with classic French techniques.” – Mobil Travel Guide

Picked by: Epicurious, Frommer’s and Food & Wine

“Opened in 1912, this tiny hole in the wall, run by the city’s friendliest servers, is little more than a narrow fish market that decided to slap down some bar stools. There are only 20 or so stools here, jammed cheek-by-jowl along a long marble bar. Most patrons come for a quick cup of chowder or a plate of oysters on the half shell that arrive chilling on crushed ice.” – Frommer’s

Picked by: Epicurious, Frommer’s and Food & Wine

“The location is superb: the vast, stylishly industrial space, filled with varnished cypress tables, sits at the back of the restored Ferry Building (window-side diners can watch ships going by). And chef Charles Phan’s menu more than lives up to the view; his fresh, clean flavors infuse dishes ranging from a perfect (if familiar) green papaya salad with chopped peanuts and herbs to creative concoctions like a chicken clay pot with caramel sauce, chiles, and fresh ginger.” – Food & Wine

Picked by: Epicurious, sanfrancisco.com and Food & Wine

“Town Hall was designed to evoke a communal gathering place and soon after the new American restaurant opened it became the talk of the town with seasonally inspired menu and glitzy but casual decor. Set in the historic Meco building, Town Hall is a showcase of regional American ingredients.” – sanfrancisco.com

Picked by: Epicurious, Frommer’s and Food & Wine

“Officially the food’s called Mediterranean, but the menu of burgers, raw oysters, and Caesar salad is pure California. Opened over two decades ago by chef/owner Judy Rodgers (an original member of the Alice Waters farm-to-table sorority), Zuni Cafe has become an icon of West Coast cuisine.” – Epicurious

Picked by: Shalin and Karey Ann (not a published publication . . . discuss amongst yourselves).

My pick when I can afford it (read: when I have conned some poor fella in taking me out to dinner). An amazing wine (local) and beer (Czech) selection.

Did I mention the crudo? Ever had fresh scallops on a bed of whipped fava bean? I have. And it was delicious.

Yes, please!