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Restaurant Website: http://www.burgerbarlv.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=251+geary+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.788139,-122.399056&sspn=0.02642,0.037937&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=251+Geary+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94102&z=17

The interior of Hubert Keller’s burger emporium (his second—the first is at the Mandalay Place in Vegas) is nothing much to look at, but thankfully the restaurant—which is located in Macy’s, one floor beneath the Cheesecake Factory—has an amazing view of Union Square. Ask for a table near the window, and try to ignore the techno music and the rhinestone and logo adorned underwear for sale behind the bar.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Every permutation of the burger is represented here, from classic (American cheese, bacon) to luxe (foie gras, truffles). It’s not just beef, either—you can choose from bison, salmon, chicken or vegetarian. The toppings are limitless, but beware the sin of overindulgence: too much of a good thing sometimes is too much. Naturally, you can also choose your fries—skinny or fat, sweet potato or regular, even zucchini. This warning about overdoing  it extends to the milkshakes—the best among them are the simplest.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.cliffhouse.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1090+point+lobos+ave.+San+Francisco&sll=37.782638,-122.401836&sspn=0.009277,0.013304&ie=UTF8&ll=37.777516,-122.511914&spn=0.009277,0.013304&z=16&iwloc=A

From a wall of windows, diners at this sweeping restaurant set at the site of the historic Sutro Baths are treated to one of the most stunning ocean vistas in the city—a true amuse-bouche. A mix of diners (heavy on the tourists, but increasingly more locals) come for special occasions. Time your most romantic dinner reservation to coincide with the sunset. The view also comes cheaper at brunch.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Although Sutro’s has never cultivated the foodie set, the decision to place veteran chef George Morrone at the helm is changing that. Morrone, who famously started Aqua, has his delicious signature tartare on the menu, but you’ll also find “New American” dishes such as citrus-and-coriander cured Loche Duarte salmon with beets, crab bisque and a thick cut of veal prime rib with marsala sauce and roasted parsnips.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.lamarcebicheria.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Pier+1+1%2F2++San+Francisco&sll=37.753955,-122.404196&sspn=0.00928,0.013304&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=A

Superstar Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio’s first stateside restaurant occupies a breezy historic building smack-dab on the Embarcadero that, with its whitewashed beams and neon-blue webbed chairs, hints at country-club chic. Sample a refreshing pisco punch at the bar, grab a casual bite in the ceviche lounge or settle into a full supper in the dining room overlooking the Bay. The large deck provides some of the best waterfront dining in the city.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>A meal at La Mar is like a Peruvian primer—the menu is punctuated with traditional ingredients, from aji amarillo chiles to leche de tigre (a key ingredient in La Mar’s outstanding ceviche). Don’t miss the rice dishes, such as the arroz chaufa, an inspired Peruvian take on fried rice, and the full-flavored soups, among them a robust shrimp soup enriched by the addition of a poached egg.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=level+iii,+sf&sll=37.818192,-122.434044&sspn=0.051801,0.107632&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=37.798323,-122.408123&spn=0.024348,0.053816&z=14&iwloc=A

This capacious dining room, done up in an eye-popping palette of reds and oranges, has taken up residence on the third floor of the newly remodeled JW Marriott in Union Square, adjacent to the hotel lobby. Though the decor and service might have you thinking fancy, the whimsical food is pure fun.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The kitchen, headed up by a French Laundry alum, presents upscale versions of familiar favorites—there is silky, crumb-topped macaroni and cheese, Kobe beef sliders on miniature brioche buns, topped with Lilliputian onion rings and a fancified version of chips and dip—geared to appeal to visitors and locals alike. Don’t miss the cooked-to-order chocolate soufflé with vanilla-bean ice cream.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=369+The+Embarcadero,+San+Francisco&sll=37.787745,-122.398768&sspn=0.011836,0.019312&g=83+Minna+St.,+San+Francisco&ie=UTF8&ll=37.78915,-122.394562&spn=0.011836,0.019312&z=16&iwloc=addr

The sister restaurant to Waterbar, Epic Roasthouse is Pat Kuleto’s homage to meat. The dining room, made to look like a pump house, is outfitted with deep leather banquettes, giving the room a clubby feel. Almost every seat offers spectacular views of the Bay.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>As you would expect at a self-described “roasthouse,” the focus here is on the beef. The usual suspects (filet, prime rib and porterhouse among them) are on the menu, joined by hearty lamb and veal chops. Sides are à la carte and include cream-rich scalloped potatoes, sautéed spinach and the requisite macaroni and cheese. Epic also serves what may well be the most expensive hamburger in town—a full three-quarter-pound, $25, ground-daily version. The chocolate soufflé, topped with caramel ice cream, is among the best in the city.</p> <p>MUST ORDER: The macaroni and cheese</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Waterbar+sf&sll=37.788488,-122.413015&sspn=0.007614,0.01339&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=37.799883,-122.399712&spn=0.028891,0.053558&z=14&iwloc=A

2009 EDITOR'S PICK: Best New Restaurant

One half of Pat Kuleto’s megaproject on the Bay, Waterbar has floor-to-ceiling windows that take full advantage of the gorgeous view of the water and the Bay Bridge beyond. The restaurant’s design centers on two 19-foot-tall aquariums (stocked with fish found in our local waters) and a raw bar.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Naturally, the focus of the menu is on seafood—both raw and cooked. The kitchen, headed by Farallon alum Parke Ulrich, has a knack for restraint. Shell-on prawns are simply roasted in the wood oven and accompanied by lemon wedges; petrale sole is set on a bed of shredded brussels sprouts. Even those richer, more elaborate dishes—such as bone marrow topped with Dungeness crab, black truffle and cream—aren’t overwrought. Desserts, such as the pineapple tart (pineapple custard in a buttery pastry shell), are homey and satisfying.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Sens++,+sf&sll=37.776821,-122.418594&sspn=0.052644,0.106087&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=37.812903,-122.407608&spn=0.052619,0.106087&z=13&iwloc=C

The cavernous space that has played host over the years to Monte Cristo and, before that, Splendido, has been reborn (again) as Sens. The rustic room, with wooden doors, heavy beams and a vaguely Mediterranean feel, also has a brilliant only-in–San Francisco view of the Ferry Building’s red neon sign.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The food here is Cal-Med by way of North Africa—hot spices and robust lamb preparations, from foie-gras-stuffed meatballs to skinny merguez sausages and Flinstonian chops, are well-represented—we’re also fans of the flatbread topped with long-cooked greens and crescenza cheese. Desserts employ savory ingredients to great effect—chocolate cake is surrounded by a silky chocolate sauce and a scoop of cardamom ice cream. A bit cerebral, maybe, but sweet just the same.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Venticello++sf&sll=37.819277,-122.397995&sspn=0.049495,0.106087&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=37.811818,-122.41293&spn=0.05262,0.106087&z=13&iwloc=A

Located in the heart of Nob Hill, where cable car bells ring in the distance, this quintessential SF restaurant still manages to transport you to Tuscany. There’s a rustic elegance to the farmhouse ambiance that makes this spot appropriate for both celebrations and romantic date nights. A granite-topped bar and batch of tables are situated at the entrance, but ask to be seated in the lower dining area, by a window with views of the Bay Bridge and the wood-burning oven, tiled in lapis blue.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The menu is extensive and classically Italian. Fire-grilled pancetta-wrapped prawns with a spicy dipping sauce make for an intriguing antipasti, and anything from the wood oven—the fresh pear and Gorgonzola pizzetta, for instance—is top-notch. The gnocchi is made in house, and because the mushroom cream sauce is so rich, it’s a good dish to share. Toast your meal with a hearty Chianti or a light Prosecco—all from the list spotlighting Italian and Californian selections.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DELICA+rf-1,+sf&sll=37.853712,-122.429581&sspn=0.194635,0.430527&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=37.805241,-122.402201&spn=0.024345,0.053816&z=14&iwloc=A

Reminiscent of food stalls in the basement of your typical Tokyo department store, this modern, minimalist Japanese eatery epitomizes clean eating and healthy, seasonable food. As it’s located in the Ferry Building, lunchtime traffic gets a bit congested, but the lines move swiftly and just a few bites of food will induce a Zen-like calm that will make the chaos of ordering a distant memory.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The tradition of sozai is the Japanese version of tapas—what we in SF usually call small plates. Find bento boxes filled with such signature items as the wasabi potato salad (garlic potatoes with edamame and romaine), Chinese chicken salad and spicy burdock root salad. All the fresh-fried items—tonkatsu and crab cream croquette, for example—are prepared with panko (bread crumbs) that are made daily with Acme Bread’s organic pain de mie.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Pier+43+1%2F2+Fisherman%E2%80%99s+Wharf+sf&sll=37.800273,-122.403359&sspn=0.005595,0.008583&gl=us&g=470+pacific+avenue+sf&ie=UTF8&ll=37.813073,-122.414603&spn=0.011188,0.017166&z=15&iwloc=addr

Few SF restaurants are as spacious as this grand, 294-seat waterfront establishment that’s reminiscent of a cruise ship. Best of all, panoramic bay views afford diners abundant eye candy thanks to 20-foot floor-to-ceiling windows and water-facing red leather banquettes.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>While most SF residents avoid this stretch of Fisherman’s Wharf, the creamy homemade burrata drizzled in olive oil and black sea salt, hand-carved artisanal salumi and whole roasted Dungeness crab are reason enough to venture out to this touristy neighborhood.</p>