$$ - $$$

Restaurant Website: http://www.54mint.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=16+mint+plaza.,+san+francisco&sll=37.778446,-122.411939&sspn=0.006606,0.009484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=16+Mint+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94103&ll=37.782595,-122.407715&spn=0.006605,0.009484&z=17

While Mint Plaza might not exactly evoke a Roman piazza, 54 Mint has many elements of a true Italian restaurant. The hospitable Italian owners speak with movie-perfect accents and, in true European spirit, are often more interested in chatting than getting your food on the table ASAP. Although there's outdoor seating, there's also a basement room and a bar that is perfect for a glass of wine and some salumi.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The food here is appropriately rustic and pasta-centric, including a housemade Kamut pasta with a rich Sicilian pesto made with sundried tomatoes and a bucatini with sardines, pine nuts and raisins. But it doesn't stop there: Try the whole grilled sardines, fried squid ink aracina and porchetta with a nice crisp skin.</p>

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.nopalitosf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=306+broderick+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.764021,-122.432534&sspn=0.006607,0.009484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=306+Broderick+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94117&z=17

Housed in a narrow space next to Falletti’s, Nopa’s little sister is done up with lots of blond wood and a lime green palette. The vibe is vaguely food court-esque, but the food makes up for it. From a seat on one of the bar stools you have a clear view into the open kitchen, where you can see tortillas being made—you can buy them (along with carnitas and more) from the to-go space next door.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>This is Mexican food with a NorCal spin—snack-tastic totopos, freshly-made tortilla chips tossed in arbol chile salsa and topped with crema and cotija cheese (think of them as chips with salsa) blue corn quesadillas, sandwiching cheese and braised greens, and chunks of bay-scented pork carnitas that you pull apart with your fork, accompanied by a tart cabbage salad. Complimentary fried chickpeas and Mexican wedding cookies bookend the meal.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.starbellysf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3583+16+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.759792,-122.387518&sspn=0.006608,0.009484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=3583+16th+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94114&z=17

Opened by two of the principals behind Beretta, this Castro neighborhood restaurant is packed nightly with locals, who withstand long waits for a table in the narrow, tightly packed space. With its rustic wood lathe, long bar and glimmering glass globe lights, Starbelly looks, aesthetically speaking, like a Beretta-Bar Bambino love child.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Starbelly is dialed in to what the majority of SF diners love. Consider the snacks, which include plates of roasted padron peppers, bowls of Rancho Gordo bean puree and miniature corn dogs, or the salads, farmers-market creations that involve Little Gems, avocado and goat cheese. Naturally, there are also crispy-crust pizzas and larger plates, including a burger and an excellent porchetta, ringed with flavorful fat and topped with a spoonful of salsa verde.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.thetipsypigsf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2231+chestnut+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.750902,-122.434327&sspn=0.006608,0.009484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=2231+Chestnut+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94123&z=17

At peak times (Friday and Saturday nights, for example) the crowd and accompanying din here can be overwhelming—even during quieter times, the live room can make easy conversation a challenge. Opt for a table in the quieter “library” in back or, if weather permits, carve out some space for you and your friends on the large back patio.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Tipsy Pig serves grown-up pub fare with a few standouts. The pulled pork sliders— sweet, shredded meat piled high on plush buns—are terrific, and the maple-brined pork chop is so good you’ll want to gnaw at the bone (and happily, this is a place where no eyebrows would be raised if you went for it). While some of the other options—burgers, macaroni and cheese, Caesar salads—are somewhat pedestrian, the 50 or so artisan beers help patrons happy.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1320+castro+st.,+san+francisco&sll=37.758879,-122.414718&sspn=0.006608,0.009484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=1320+Castro+St,+San+Francisco,+California+94114&z=17

From the get-go Contigo seemed pre-ordained for success, if only because the neighborhood was so desperate for an interesting, casual restaurant. Chef-owner Brett Emerson to the rescue with his Spanish-style spot, housed in a narrow slip of a space with an open kitchen. For the most authentic tapas bar experience, snag one of the stools and watch the cooks at work. On warm evenings the coveted seats are on the snug back patio, where you dine amongst raised beds planted with herbs and lettuces.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The best dishes here are the ones that seem most authentically Spanish—a plate of perfect jamon Serrano, perhaps, or a bowl of fried patatas bravas, the paprika-dusted potatoes served with alliolli and a tomato-based salsa brava. Oxtail-stuffed piquillo peppers, unapologetically fishy sardine toasts—these are things we could eat again and again, complimented by a funky bottle of Spanish red or a glass of sherry.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.thetipsypigsf.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2231+Chestnut+St.+San+Francisco&sll=37.764456,-122.475715&sspn=0.009279,0.013304&ie=UTF8&ll=37.801138,-122.440116&spn=0.009274,0.013304&z=16&iwloc=A

Decorated with kitschy eBay finds, from brass pig’s head to wooden ducks to a literal library of vintage volumes, this self-proclaimed gastro-pub from the owners of Mamacita and Umami attempts to capture a bit of London in its Chestnut Street location. The large back deck, however, where drinkers can lounge al fresco, is pure San Francisco. Marina-ites pack the bar, but neighbors and families have made the sit-down area into a casual night out.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Tipsy Pig may be British in spirit, but the menu tends toward American comfort classics. There’s the requisite burger, of course, as well as fried chicken and a brined pork chop, generously rimmed in delicious fat and served with a potato cake (perhaps the most pub-like among the offerings). Though there is a list of creative cocktails and wines by the glass, beer is the beverage of choice here.</p>

Restaurant Website: http://www.zareflytrap.comGoogle Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=606+Folsom+St.+San+Francisco&sll=37.753751,-122.407608&sspn=0.00928,0.013304&ie=UTF8&ll=37.786216,-122.396944&spn=0.009276,0.013304&z=16&iwloc=A

Those who remember the original Fly Trap, that bastion of classic San Francisco cuisine, will recognize this dining room; little has changed, decor-wise, since chef-owner Hoss Zaré took over. Walls are still a brilliant red and botanical prints still decorate the walls.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>While the interior design may not have changed much, the menu has been given a complete overhaul. Gone are the liver and onions and the Hangtown Fry, replaced by Hoss Zaré’s masterful Persian techniques and ingredients, such as braised lamb shank with pickled grapes, oversized meatballs stuffed with myriad delights and silky eggplant in a sun-dried yogurt sauce with walnuts</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&q=amber+india+sf&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&cid=0,0,10119862251705139471&ei=bk6jSY_xCIGEsQPc3ey0Ag&ll=37.788132,-122.40454&spn=0.00658,0.013261&z=16&iwloc=A

In contrast to the typical SF curry joint, Amber India is positively fancy—white tablecloths, expanses of marble and an upscale cocktail lounge fill the space, located on Yerba Buena Lane between the Four Seasons and the Westfield SF Centre. Peninsula dwellers will recognize this restaurant’s name: There is one location in Mountain View and a second in San Jose.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Amber India straddles the line between traditional and modern Indian fare, which means that you’ll find butter chicken (similar to tikka masala) and korma on the menu, alongside contemporary takes on Indian, such as the spinach-and-walnut raita and coconut-milk-steamed mussels with tomato and ginger. At lunch, the classic Indian buffet is available.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Gaspare's+Pizza+House+%26+Italian+Restaurant,+sf&sll=37.832294,-122.433701&sspn=0.097346,0.215263&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=37.82226,-122.443657&spn=0.103597,0.215263&z=12&iwloc=A

You come to Gaspare’s to relive a) your East Coast childhood or b) your fond memories of the movie Moonstruck. This Outer Richmond relic has all the ingredients: Chianti in straw-wrapped flasks, table-side jukeboxes with a time-warp playlist (Dean Martin, Chubby Checker or Mario Lanza) and murals of (on the east wall) Sicily and (on the west) SF. It’s also the perfect venue for kids.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Though you can get meatballs at Gaspare’s, along with chicken piccata, eggplant alla Parmigiano and baked lasagna, this is really a pizza joint. The menu lists 27 different varieties of pie, each with a crust that’s properly thin and a not-too-sweet tomato sauce. We like the classic pepperoni variety.</p>