Skip to Content

$$

01/26/10 1:27 pm

Delarosa

(restaurant)
Restaurant Website: http://www.delarosasf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=delarosa+san+francisco&sll=37.782926,-122.44091&sspn=0.051283,0.10231&gl=us&ie=UTF8&hq=delarosa&hnear=San+Francisco,+CA&ll=37.837988,-122.420654&spn=0.10249,0.20462&z=12&iwloc=A

You’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve seen Delarosa before. Though it’s grey-and-orange paint job is distinctive, it shares design elements with sister restaurants Starbelly and Beretta—Edison bulbs, communal tables and an open kitchen.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>If you’re a fan of the food at Beretta, welcome to the uptown version. Two of the same owners are involved in this project (including chef Ruggero Gadaldi) and its evident in the menu—expect to find familiar antipasti, among them fried Brussels sprouts with aïoli and Beretta’s famed eggplant caponatina. The pizzas are fine, but a more interesting choice is the lasagna, scraps of fresh pasta layered with rich, nutmeggy béchamel and studded with sautéed radicchio and onions.</p>
01/26/10 1:10 pm

Gracias Madre

(restaurant)
Restaurant Website: http://www.gracias-madre.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=gracias+madre+san+francisco&sll=37.777092,-122.428551&sspn=0.025644,0.051155&gl=us&ie=UTF8&hq=gracias+madre&hnear=San+Francisco,+CA&ll=37.783062,-122.418938&spn=0.051283,0.10231&z=13&iwloc=A

A transformation has taken place at 18th and Mission, so radical that you can hardly remember what occupied the space before Gracias Madre moved in. An outdoor patio, shielded from the street by a fence emblazoned with oversize corn motifs, gives way to a long, skinny room generously outfitted with wood, a long bar and, at the back, an open kitchen.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>With its vegan Mexican menu, Gracias Madre has quickly distinguished itself from the masses of Mission taquerias. There is no carnitas here, no carne asada, no cheese—unless you count the cashew variety. Owned by the team behind feel-good mini chain Café Gratitude, here you’ll find meaty mushrooms filling tacos, tamales stuffed with butternut squash and excellent guacamole, by its very nature vegan. A selection of organic beer and wine round out the offerings.</p>
12/22/09 12:26 pm

Heaven's Dog

(restaurant)
Restaurant Website: http://www.heavensdog.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1148+mission+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.787176,-122.407398&sspn=0.006605,0.009484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=1148+Mission+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94103&z=17

Located at the base of the SoMa Grand building, Heaven’s Dog offers two visions of the celestial. A dark side, where dangerously good cocktails are served on a beautiful blond-wood bar cut from one 28-foot-long trunk of cypress and diners lounge on midcentury-inspired orange-vinyl couches while supping on dan dan mein.And, directly next door, an illuminated side called the noodle bar—stark white with counter-only seating and a long open kitchen where cooks roll out dumpling dough and flame-licked woks jump with green beans tossed with salty Szechuan pickles.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Charles Phan’s first venture, cuisine-wise, out of Vietnam and into China is being manned by chef Andy Wai, whose simple, small-plates menu includes a gorgeous braised pork belly sandwiched within a soft and sweet clamshell bun (undoubtedly a nod to Momofuku’s version in NYC), handmade little shrimp-and-chive dumplings and an egg omelet with pork. The menu is no-frills, but it’s also stamped with Phan’s fresh touch.</p>
06/12/09 12:00 pm

Pizza Nostra

(restaurant)
Restaurant Website: http://www.pizzanostrasf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=300+DeHaro+St.+San+Francisco&sll=37.747626,-122.419066&sspn=0.009281,0.013304&g=3149+Mission+St.+San+Francisco&ie=UTF8&z=14

Started by Frenchman Jocelyn Bulow’s restaurant group (Chez Papa, Chez Maman), this pizza place is located in a slightly mini-mall-esque space at the base of Potrero Hill. On a nice day, it’s a good place for al fresco dining. Hot tip: Nostra delivers for free, making it one of the best delivered pizzas in the city (not that the competition is fierce).

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Although the wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pies are the focus here, there’s also a list of antipasti to please those looking to go light on the carbs. But pizza is your best bet: Traditional options include margarita and a caprese, while a quattro fromaggi is topped with gorgonzola and pear. The Bolognese pizza gilds the lily with an egg.</p>
06/12/09 11:53 am

Baby Blues BBQ

(restaurant)
Restaurant Website: http://www.babybluessf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3149+Mission+St.+San+Francisco&sll=37.797018,-122.411685&sspn=0.009275,0.013304&ie=UTF8&ll=37.747626,-122.419066&spn=0.009281,0.013304&z=16&iwloc=A

Located in a vintage drugstore, with the neon signage still intact, this is the third Baby Blues (the other two are in LA). The décor is eclectic—sort of DIY, garage-sale chic, including mismatched stools and a rustic communal table. The let-the-good-times-roll vibe is encouraged.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Although there’s a mix of regional styles of barbecue here, the three kicky, vinegar-based hot sauces set on every table make everything taste good. To get the best out of the large menu, all you really need is a plate of Memphis-style pork ribs and some of the moist corn bread and you’ll be licking your fingers and downing glasses of Shiner Bock. If you have a sweet tooth, get the banana pudding made with ’Nilla wafers.</p>
06/12/09 11:33 am
Restaurant Website: http://www.mokisushi.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=615+Cortland+Ave.+San+Francisco&sll=37.579413,-95.712891&sspn=37.779043,54.492188&ie=UTF8&ll=37.739431,-122.415547&spn=0.009282,0.013304&z=16&iwloc=A

This is the go-to sushi spot in Bernal. Family-friendly, it always has its share of kids dueling with chopsticks. The space is a cut above the average sushi spot with treated cement floors, high ceilings and lots of light streaming in.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>With no traditional sushi bar to speak of, Moki’s is far more Cal–Pan-Pacific than purist Japanese. The list of specialty rolls tops out at 22, including a Salmon Reunion (sake, salmon skin, shiso, ikura) and South Pacific Roll (unagi, cream cheese, mango). On top of sushi, every table is digging into a popular salad made of a heap of mixed greens with grapefruit and candied pecans, as well as the poke with mango. Grilled entrees are also available, such as Haleiwa chicken with tomato-pineapple barbecue sauce. <br /></p>
11/06/08 10:05 pm

Pizzeria Delfina

(restaurant)
Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3611+18th+St.,+San+Francisco&sll=37.793581,-122.399328&sspn=0.011836,0.019312&g=230+California+St.,+San+Francisco&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr

The little sister to the ever-booked Delfina next door, this is where you’ll find some of SF’s top Italian-style pizza. Because it’s tiny and doesn’t take reservations, the best strategy is to go with no more than one friend, put your name on the chalkboard, order a glass of wine from the strictly Italian list and plant yourself under the heat lamp until your name is called. A second location, on California at Fillmore, is just as busy—weekday lunch is one way to beat the crowds.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Yes, there’s a clam pie and a salsiccia (fennel sausage) one, but it goes without saying that a margherita sets the pizza standard, and this one does not fail: The sauce is tangy and topped with creamy, house-pulled mozzarella, and the crust is chewy, crisp and blistered. One could live off of this alone, but the veggie antipasti are also worth trying, particularly the garlicky broccoli di ciccio or the green beans with pickled shallots.</p> <p>MUST ORDER: Arancini (when they have them) and Meatballs</p>
07/15/08 2:25 pm

Level III

(restaurant)
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>
06/27/08 12:46 pm

Candybar

(restaurant)
Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=candybar,+++sf&sll=37.817921,-122.406578&sspn=0.103603,0.215263&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=37.786318,-122.43885&spn=0.024352,0.053816&z=14&iwloc=A

Vaguely gallery-like in feel (lots of sharp angles and walls hung with oversize paintings), this dessert lounge a few blocks off of Divisadero welcomes lingering patrons, plying them with board games and one of the city’s finest selections of dessert wines.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The sweets at Candybar play on familiar flavors (chocolate, carrot and cheesecake among them) but each has an unusual twist—nicoise-olive caramel, cream cheese sorbet and foie gras tapioca—that expand the concept of dessert. Though it sounds unlikely, the pairings are far more successful than one might expect. A very limited savory menu compliments the sweet offerings, but Candybar is primarily a place for a post-dinner rendez-vous.</p>
12/18/07 1:39 pm

Ti Couz

(restaurant)
Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3108+16th+St.,+San+Francisco&sll=37.784896,-122.406906&sspn=0.011837,0.019312&g=845+Market+St.,+San+Francisco&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr

You can’t miss this sky-blue crêperie near the corner of the Mission’s main intersection, 16th and Valencia. A sidewalk table makes you part of the neighborhood scene, whereas the pub-like dining room offers an array of seating options to suit your mood—the counter for a casual bite, the bar for mingling or a corner table for getting cozy.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Breton-style buckwheat crêpes are the base for a long list of savory sauces and fillings—shrimp with parsley butter, caramelized onions, ratatouille and seafood sauce, for instance, or smoked salmon with crème fraîche and scallions—available for diners to mix and match. White-flour dessert crêpes ooze with citrus butter and homemade jam or the ever-popular Nutella and banana. Salads and charcuterie plates round out the menu.</p> <p>MUST ORDER: Ham and Cheese Crepe with a Fried Egg</p>