Summer 2022 Restaurant Update
It’s been almost a year since the last restaurant update, which was pretty takeout heavy for obvious reasons. Since then, I’ve been busy racking up new (and new to me) spots that I’m excited to share. While the latest additions are all over the map from cuisine, price point, and geographic POVs, you’ll see some thematic undertones as always. Reading Crying In H Mart incited hunger for Korean flavors, quenched at San Ho Won, Queens, and Toyose. Other cuisine themes were French (Snail Bar, Monsieur Benjamin), Italian (Molinari Delicatessen, Belotti Ristorante e Bottega, Itria), and Mexican (Californios, Otra, Cholita Linda). Sandwiches took the spotlight at Palm City, Molinari Delicatessen, AK Meats, Bandit, Joinery, and Cholita Linda, giving my standby Deli Board a run for its money. Natural wine bars have become prolific in this town and Snail Bar, Daytrip, Palm City, and Automat lived up to their hype. I shopped and snacked at a couple of gourmet superettes – one Korean (Queens) and another Mexican (Tahona Mercado). While my former vegetarian self would not approve, some epic meats were consumed at Hina Yakitori, FOB Kitchen, Palm City, San Ho Wan, and Joinery. Fish too, with Anchovy Bar, Birba, Itria, Diamond Head General Store, and Ariake all offering some of the freshest stuff I’ve had. And it wouldn’t be a complete list without some new pizza options (Brother’s Pizza and Goia). Nor without some special occasion destinations (Californios, Empress by Boon, Hina Yakitori). From the foggy depths of the Sunset to the ever-cooler scene in Oakland, from early morning tater tots to late-night kimchi pancakes, from chaotic delis to Michelin star service – there’s something for everyone here. Check them out below, and find them on the map/spreadsheet whenever you’re looking for a bite!
1. AK Meats
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Hood: Outer Richmond
Dining Style: Counter Service
Price: $
Occasion: Post Lands End hike lunch
Don’t Miss The: Subs
A neighborhood butcher with a killer sandwich menu. The folks that run this place are salt of the earth in the best way and are just as ready to talk shop about your next cooking project as they are to crank out an unpretentious spot-hitting sub.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/a-k-meats-san-francisco | 2346 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121
2. Anchovy Bar
Cuisine: Seafood
Hood: Western Addition
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Girls Night
Don’t Miss The: Chip & Dip
A tough reservation to snag but nevertheless worth the pursuit, Anchovy Bar is the latest restaurant from the State Bird Provisions crew. As the name suggests, it's a fishy joint that's essentially a character study in anchovies. You'll find em on the menu in a variety of shapes and forms, alongside other seafood and salty snacks. Non-chovy standouts were the Caesar ‘Deviled’ Egg topped with bottarga, Meyer Lemon-Miso Clams with Hodo yuba, and Wagon Wheel Cheese ‘Chip & Dip.' The latter is a lighter than air, fluffy cloud of whipped cheese -- a gut bomb for sure but an indulgence not to be skipped.
http://www.theanchovybar.com/ | 1740 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94115
3. Ariake
Cuisine: Japanese (Sushi)
Hood: Outer Richmond
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Foggy night sushi craving
Don’t Miss The: Firecracker
I am a sucker for a straight up, no frills sushi spot and Ariake is just that. You're getting nigiri and Sapporo at the bar while the chefs behind the counter quietly assemble to order. It doesn't need to be overcomplicated, but in case you need a nudge, they've got multiple varieties of uni on the menu!
http://www.sfariake.com/ | 5041 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118
4. Automat
Cuisine: California
Hood: NoPa
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Weeknight Nice Meal
Don’t Miss The: Cheez Buddy
Put simply, It's A Vibe! Automat borders on tooooo trendy but with a stunning space and some home run dishes, they can totally hang. Opened by the Lazy Bear folks, this is a far more casual concept with an "all day cafe" thing going. Standouts are the Cheez Buddy -- two smash patties on a milk bun with all the fixins and the garlicky pretzel focaccia (made in house, duh). The rest of the menu isn't particularly memorable tbh, but it's the high ceilings, massive windows with tasteful stained glass accents, and earth tone color palette that make it a space definitely worth checking out.
http://www.automatsf.com/ | 1801 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94115
5. Bandit
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Hood: Tenderloin
Dining Style: Counter Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Hungover breakfast
Don’t Miss The: Tater Tots
Bandit is a teeny tiny closet of a restaurant with a very limited but solid menu consisting of breakfast sandos and burgers, all served on glossy brioche buns. The Tenderloin is not a part of town I'm particularly drawn to, and without a ton of seating at Bandit it's a rare destination for me, but passing through the area certainly begets a pit stop. Egg sandwiches are adorned with all sorts of artisanal provisions like butcher's cut bacon, housemade chicken sausage, gruyere cheese, sizzled mushrooms, and caramelized onions. It's a decadent morning move, so while you're at it best order a side of tater tots!
https://www.banditsf.com/ | 683 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102
6. Belotti Ristorante E Bottega
Cuisine: Italian
Hood: Oakland
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Date night
Don’t Miss The: Agnolotti di Lidia
Nestled into an atmospheric corner in residential Rockridge sits an Italian restaurant that could easily transport you back to the old country. This restaurant produces some of the finest handmade pastas I've ever encountered, paired with sauces and accompaniments that had us ordering seconds of multiple dishes. It's been around for a while -- don't expect a trendy setting but do expect the meal of a lifetime. The Agnolotti di Lidia is a Piedmontese classic stuffed with forever-braised meat and glistens in a beef reduction sauce. The Risotto alla Milanese with Ossobuco (which has a two order minimum) is a love letter to saffron and butter. There are lots of fun wines to explore on the list as well!
https://belottirb.com/ | 5403 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
7. Birba
Cuisine: Wine Bar
Hood: Hayes Valley
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$
Occasion: Weeknight happy hour
Don’t Miss The: Boquerones
Does the perfect happy hour spot exist? Yes, and it's Birba, the tucked away Hayes Valley wine bar with Portuguese vibes and a banging menu. Enjoy some natural wine or a no-ABV cocktail alongside tinned fish (or boquerones, if you're me), charcuterie, and other salty small bites. Opt for the tiled tables on the sidewalk or the buzzy back patio -- either way, your night will be off to a chic and satisfying start!
http://www.birbawine.com/ | 458 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102
8. Brothers Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
Hood: Outer Sunset
Dining Style: Counter Service
Price: $
Occasion: Sunset exploring
Don’t Miss The: Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza
An Indian pizza shop in the Outer Sunset? Yes you heard that right. Brother's Pizza is a legendary mash up of two of American life's greatest comfort foods - pizza and Indian - which they've been slinging in a pint sized shop since the 80's. You can get your samosas, tandoori wings, and mango lassis AND your pepperoni pies, pesto pastas, and garlic bread but what you should get is the Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza. Hearty, rich, and creamy on a guttural level, but also an invention that'll make you realize that anything is possible!
http://brotherspizzasf.net/ | 3627 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116
9. Californios
Cuisine: Mexican
Hood: SoMa
Dining Style: Fine Dining
Price: $$$$
Occasion: Extremely special occasion
Don’t Miss The: Platano
Californios is one of those bucket list Bay Area restaurants, up there with the likes of Saison, Lazy Bear, and The French Laundry. It's impossible to summarize in a few sentences but worth trying if only to convey that this place is on a whole other level. It's a Two Michelin restaurant celebrating Mexican cuisine - the only cuisine minted with "Cultural Heritage" status by UNESCO, they'll have you know. After three hours and many bites, you will taste through an innumerable litany of techniques and ingredients, all prepared and plated with the elegance that only a $265 tasting menu warrants. The setting is both austere and grandiose, dark and mysterious yet warm and inviting, exclusive but down to earth. The place is full of surprises -- save this for a special occasion but don't miss it.
http://www.californiossf.com/ | 355 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
10. Cholita Linda
Cuisine: Mexican
Hood: Oakland
Dining Style: Fast Casual
Price: $
Occasion: Post-yoga dinner
Don’t Miss The: Baja Fish Tacos
Fast casual + Mexican is a combo I'm generally up for, and Cholita Linda fits the bill just fine. We're talking zippy flavors, creamy and crispy textures, and bright colors. Tortas are a classic order (go for the lechon, I dare you), tacos hit the spot (lookin' at you, Baja Fish), and fried plantains are a necessity no matter what. Dining in (or out on the dreamy back patio) is equally lovely and low key but takeout is also totally viable for park picnics and backyard hangs. Douse everything in that tangy neon orange hot sauce, I dare ya!
http://cholitalinda.com/ | 4923 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
11. Daytrip
Cuisine: California
Hood: Oakland
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Friends dinner
Don’t Miss The: Focaccia
Daytrip is the Bay Area restaurant world's latest darling, a funky experimental mind bending kind of place that feels like a party every night. They fancy themselves a wine bar (and boy do they have a fun wine and sake selection!) but I'm going for the food, a menu that's playful and approachable but with deep cuts of chefy creativity. If you're lucky enough to get a table (or patient enough to wait for one) you're in for family style feasting on vintage mismatched plateware in a bumping setting that'll make you feel like one of the cool kids!
https://www.thisisdaytrip.com/ | 4316 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
12. Diamond Head General Store
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Hood: San Bruno
Dining Style: Counter Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Post-surf lunch
Don’t Miss The: Mochiko Chicken
Diamond Head brings together Hawaiian cuisine's deeply comforting soul food with the fresh and tropical minimalism of ocean proximity and Japanese influence. Poke bowls here are made with piercing red ahi and served simply dressed with earthy kelp fronds atop steamed rice. The mochiko chicken is another standout, not only for its massive size, but also its mastery of craft in which chicken is infused with sweet marinade before being dunked in rice flour and hitting the fryer. Unctuous isn't even the half of it and the mac salad on the side can't be beat either. Beyond poke and chicken, there's plenty of grindz to explore from musubi to loco moco and shave ice for dessert. It's also a Hawaiian market with all sorts of snacks of both Hawaiian and Japanese origin.
http://www.instagram.com/morningwoodsf | 260 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA 94066
13. Empress by Boon
Cuisine: Chinese (Cantonese)
Hood: Chinatown
Dining Style: Fine Dining
Price: $$$$
Occasion: Date night
Don’t Miss The: Dumplings
An opulent Cantonese restaurant on the top floor of a Chinatown high rise, Empress by Boon is creative elegance. The $88 prix fixe menu takes you through a broad range of culinary techniques and uniquely Cantonese ingredients and preparations. The sprawling dining room has stunning views of the city and Bay so try to snag a sunset rez if you can. And *no worries if not* because the restaurant itself is decorated with lavish floral arrangements, colorful art, and wooden architectural accents. It's an experience!
http://www.theempresssf.com/ | 838 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
14. FOB Kitchen
Cuisine: Filipino
Hood: Oakland
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Weeknight friends dinner
Don’t Miss The: Lechon
Filipino food is made up of the all the flavors I crave -- acidic, spicy, garlicky, and umami meets fresh brightness and impossibly crispy and tender meats. FOB Kitchen hits all these marks, and does so in a fun and tropical-feeling setting that can only be described as a real upper. The menu changes, but you can't go wrong with lechon, adobo, pancit, or lumpia, all of which are mainstays turned up with seasonal flare.
https://www.fobkitchen.com/ | 5179 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
15. Goia
Cuisine: Pizza
Hood: Hayes Valley
Dining Style: Counter Service
Price: $$
Occasion: Slice on the go
Don’t Miss The: Julian Slice
Oh pizza, how I love thee. Gioia is a Hayes Valley slice shop that's found that sweet spot of not being too full of itself but kind of deserving if it was. Pies are stacked behind glass and slices are reheated to order for that NYC crispiness factor that's tough to beat. Toppings range from predictable to surprise-and-delight. Crust is fermented just right. Cheese is melty and pully just like you like it. Great for a low key lunch or whole pies to go!
https://www.gioiapizzeria.com/ | 579 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102
16. Hina Yakatori
Cuisine: Japanese
Hood: Hayes Valley
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$$
Occasion: Special occasion celebration
Don’t Miss The: Tsukune
Eating meat cooked over live fire is often a rustic, no holds barred affair. Not at Hina, where carefully sourced charcoal is tended to with masterful precision and meat is treated as a precious delicacy. Yakitori is a Japanese style of barbeque, in which skewered chicken parts and vegetables are grilled over special charcoal and served with dipping sauces and small piles of togarashi. Here, yakitori gets the tasting menu treatment. You'll sit at the expansive bar and be served about a dozen varietals from this special cuisine while oggling at the chefs who flip the skewers behind class (keeping you smoke-free, but still extremely entertained). A special occasion-worthy experience for sure!
https://www.hinasf.com/ | 808 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
17. Imm Thai
Cuisine: Thai
Hood: Berkeley
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$
Occasion: Pre-pre-game
Don’t Miss The: Wings
Buzzy and bustling thanks to its campus proximity and convivial environment, Imm Thai is a totally solid option! Hawking street food classics like spicy drunken noodles, garlicky stir fry rice plates, and herbaceous larb, it is honestly hard to go wrong. The only mistake you could make is not ordering wings, which are deep fried to crispy perfection and glazed in a spicy sweet sauce that'll have you licking your fingers.
https://www.immthaistreetfood.com/ | 2068 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
18. Itria
Cuisine: Italian
Hood: Mission
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: VIbey date night
Don’t Miss The: Crudo
Pasta and crudo may be the two most oft-prepared dishes on Top Chef because they're two formats that lend themselves to unfussy but cheffy creativity. At Itria, both are co-stars on a menu that will make whittling down a selection nearly impossible to do. Crudos are fresh and inventive, with playful texture and flavor combinations. Meanwhile, pastas range from filled pockets to extra long noodles, all tossed with seasonal stuff and creamy richness. A meal here epitomizes unpretentious luxury.
http://www.itriasf.com/ | 3266 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
19. Joinery
Cuisine: California
Hood: Sausalito
Dining Style: Fast Casual
Price: $$
Occasion: Sausalito Sunday
Don’t Miss The: Rotisserie Chicken
Chicken with a view! Joinery is a welcome addition to Sausalito, where you're often paying for the waterfront proximity more than the food itself. This is a fast casual chicken restaurant with NorCal cheffy touches located right on the water with plenty of seating indoors and out. It's an ideal lunch or dinner spot no matter the occasion.
http://www.joineryca.com/ | 300 Turney St, Sausalito, CA 94965
20. Molinari Delicatessen
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Hood: North Beach
Dining Style: Counter Service
Price: $$
Occasion: Saturday Staycation
Don’t Miss The: Renzo Special
A chaotic North Beach classic, Molinari hits all the right notes for a destination worthy delicatessen. The walls are stacked with packaged food from Italy while mounds of marinated peppers, hunks of meat, and rounds of cheese glisten through the deli glass. The guys behind the counter sling jokes while slathering crusty bread with pesto and layering on your requisite mortadella, capicola, etc. Order a sando (you can't go wrong), grab an Italian soda, and park out front at a bistro table for a taste of North Beach heaven.
http://molinaridelisf.com/ | 373 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
21. Monsieur Benjamin
Cuisine: French
Hood: Hayes Valley
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$$
Occasion: Date night
Don’t Miss The: Oeufs Mayonnaise
French as it gets, from the Oeufs Mayonnaise to the sauce accompaniment with each dish (Peppercorn Jus with Duck Confit, Steak Tartare with Sauce Rémoulade, you get the gist). Monsieur Benjamin is a delightfully elegant experience that feels posh, romantic, and refined! It's an SF classic that's a perfect prelude to a night at the opera or after shopping the boutiques of Hayes Valley.
http://www.monsieurbenjamin.com/ | 451 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102
22. Otra
Cuisine: Mexican
Hood: Lower Haight
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Group dinner
Don’t Miss The: Chips & Frijoles
A hip but pretty chill Lower Haight hangout with a delightful spicy margarita and lots of beautiful and satisfying Mexican bites. The tacos may be tiny, but they are stacked high with thoughtful combinations of ingredients and there are even some solid veg options. While much of the menu is seasonal, you can count on the chips (housemade, hot, crispy, and salty) and frijoles (black, refried, topped with queso fresco and salsa macha) to be a mainstay. The grilled kampachi (served with warm tortillas for make-your-own tacos) and charred cabbage (doused in smoked bone marrow) are also sleeper hits that seem to be sticking in the rotation. No reservations and wait time is hit or miss, but worth the risk (especially when all a wait means is an extra marg at the bar!).
https://www.otrasf.com/ | 682 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
23. Palm City
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Hood: Outer Sunset
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: The sun came out in the Sunset
Don’t Miss The: Hoag Au Poivre
These hoagies have quickly become the stuff of SF sandwich legend. Extremely thinly sliced meats are stacked with spreads and veg inside a pillow soft sesame bun and sliced in half for an epic circular cross section. Take one to go (and please god, split it) with a bottle of natty or dine in and enjoy with apps and wine inside their beautiful space. If you catch the Sunset on a sunny day, there's no better medicine than a hoagie and glass of pet nat on the sidewalk patio followed by an Ocean Beach layout where you may or may not feel like a beached whale.
https://www.palmcitysf.com/ | 4055 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
24. Palmer's Tavern
Cuisine: American
Hood: Pacific Heights
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Happy hour
Don’t Miss The: Truffle Fries
A Fillmore mainstay and reliable watering hole, Palmer's may not be anything to write home about but nevertheless does the trick (and quite well!). The vibe is saloon meets speakeasy, with taxidermy on the walls, red leather booths and stools, and formally dressed mixologists making a show of their craft behind the bar. If beer is more your thing, they've got an extensive list as well. Food wise - I'm sticking to happy hour bites (truffle fries, always a good idea) but they do have something for everyone if you're there for a meal.
http://palmerssf.com/ | 2298 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
25. Queens
Cuisine: Korean
Hood: Inner Sunset
Dining Style: Counter Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Weekend snacking
Don’t Miss The: Tofu anything
A luxury Korean superette with a tight menu of expertly prepared small plates that bring plenty of fresh, umami, and fermented flavors served up alongside a cloudy rainbow of natural wines. The space is bright and minimal, with lots of unique and many hard to find Korean products, plus some of Queens' own provisions like tofu, kimchi, and a personal favorite, mushroom salt!
http://queenssf.com/ | 1235 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
26. SAN HO WON
Cuisine: Korean
Hood: Mission
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$$
Occasion: You want meat, but you also want to dress up
Don’t Miss The: Kimchi
Leave it to Benu alums to deliver a Korean BBQ restaurant that brings the familiar to a new level. This Mission restaurant is expansive and minimalist with clean lines and a simplistic ambiance. This makes way for the food to be the star of the show -- each item achieving the perfect balance of spice, sweet, funk, and char. You will want to taste through each of the four kimchis (don't miss the sesame leaf!) and plenty of BBQ options, all grilled to smokey perfection over lychee wood charcoal and presented with an assortment of fermented toppings like Ssamjang and Gochujang and fresh crunchy lettuces and herbs for wrapping. You will leave full, happy, and booking your next reservation.
http://sanhowon.com/ | 2170 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94110
27. Snail Bar
Cuisine: French
Hood: Oakland
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Impressing your friends
Don’t Miss The: Snails
Hyped beyond belief but a hell of a good time. Snail Bar is Oakland's take on the wine cave scene in Paris -- small plates with French simplicity and technique, free flowing pours of cloudy wines that catch the light just right, and effortlessly chic patrons (you!) spilling out into the street. You must, of course, get the snails (drowned in butter, garlic, and miso).
http://snailbaroakland.com/ | 4935 Shattuck Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
28. Tahona Mercado
Cuisine: Mexican
Hood: Nob Hill
Dining Style: Counter Service
Price: $$
Occasion: Brunch to-go
Don’t Miss The: Quesadilla
Part mezcal shop, part artisanal market, and part deli -- Tahona Mercado does the impossible and nails all three. The bright, vibrant store is filled with take home delights like Oaxacan mole sauce, fresh heirloom masa, and obscure rarely imported mezcals, plus a tight menu of made-to-order dishes that pack a punch. Tortillas are pressed and griddled à la minute, then stuffed with satisfying fillings like carnitas, nopales, and all the other delights you discovered on your trip to Mexico City. The husband-and-wife owners are usually around -- her behind the counter and him walking curious agave lovers through the selection. Being there is pure delight!
http://www.tahonamercado.com/ | 1168 Leavenworth St, San Francisco, CA 94109
29. Toyose
Cuisine: Korean
Hood: Outer Sunset
Dining Style: Table Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Late night hanger
Don’t Miss The: Kimchi Pancake
San Francisco is a sleepy city, so late night food options (especially outside the Mission) are far and few between. It might surprise you then that this Outer Sunset Korean spot is packed until their 1:30AM closing time. The labyrinthian restaurant feels a bit like a hallucination, bustling with tables of friends quietly huddled over plates of Kimchi Rice, Japchae, Tteokbokki (pan fried rice cakes), and Hot Pot, washing it all down with plenty of Hite and Soju. Tldr; Toyose is worth a detour for anyone with an after hours appetite.
http://sftoyose.wixsite.com/toyose | 3814 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122
30. Vive la tarte
Cuisine: Cafe
Hood: Noe Valley
Dining Style: Counter Service
Price: $$$
Occasion: Weekend strolling
Don’t Miss The: Falafel Salad
Vive La Tarte has seriously downsized from their OG digs in SoMa (which were, to put it lightly, massive), but significantly upgraded in terms of surrounding area (bye poop, hello affluence). The move was a smart one, given that the millennial techies who once held meetings in their spacious oasis and have since gone hard in the paint into pandemic-accelerated nesting mode. Now situated in Stroller & Doodle Town, USA (aka Noe Valley), the new Vive is still cranking out Instagrammable pastries, expertly crafted espresso drinks, the famous $15 avocado toast, and a couple memorable salads. Theirs is a line worth waiting in!
https://www.vivelatarte.com/ | 4026 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114