Duende
468 19 Street
duendeoakland.com
Authentic Basque comfort food including classic tapas—both frios (cold) and caldas (hot)—such as fritos mixtos, canelones, croquettas, albondigas and cazuelas.
Bar Tartine’s Sandwich Shop
Bar Tartine’s Sandwich Shop
561 Valencia Street
bartartine.com
Chef Chad Robertson’s sandwich and bread shop offers crowd pleasers, including the smørrebrøds: open-faced rye bread sandwiches spread with chicken liver pate, apricot and parsley or corned beef, horseradish cream and fried onion.
Belli Osteria
Belli Osteria
2016 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
belliosteria.com
This Berkley osteria serves fresh ravioli filled with surprising variations, from black with prawns and spinach to roast duck and shitake mushrooms that will leave you craving more.
Sparrow Bar & Kitchen
1640 Haight Street
sparrowbarandkitchen.com
Modern American cuisine has come to Upper Haight with feel-good favorites like chicken and waffles and brie-and-bacon grilled cheese along with a rotating selection of 15 mainly local beers.
Sweet Woodruff
798 Sutter Street
sweetwoodruffsf.com
The casual eatery offers counter service for 20 people and ever-changing dinner specials, a Southwestern Quesadilla at brunch and a grilled cheese (with havarti and muenster) for lunch with a Coke Float.
Duende
Farm:Table
754 Post Street
farmtablesf.com
This eatery changes its menu every day and updates its fans about the grub via an exceptionally active Twitter account.
Lungomare
One Broadway, Jack London Square, Oakland
lungomareoakland.com
Executive Chef Craig DeFonzo tempts taste buds with his menu of coastal Italian seafood and handmade pastas and pizzas.
M.Y. China
845 Market Street
mychinasf.com
Celeb chef Martin Yan’s authentic modern Chinese restaurant dishes out dim sum, wok dishes and, of course, hand-pulled noodles. The bar menu is also full of temptations: juicy dumplings, crispy spring rolls and cocktails like “Big Trouble in M.Y. China” and “Fire in the Wok.”
Redford
673 Geary Street
redfordsf.com
A rustic, nautical-themed American tavern, Redford is a place where friends converge for a delicious burger and a make-your-own pastrami sandwich board pairs nicely with the Redford Manhattan or the monthly Whiskey Plank tasting flight, served on a paddle.
The Cavalier
360 Jessie Street
thecavaliersf.com
At this British brasserie, the menu includes inspired English pub fare such as fish and chips, pork and beef bangers, ale-brined Berkshire pork loin and oyster pie. The cocktail menu is comprised of equally tantalizing concoctions like Pimm’s Cups.
Rich Table
Rich Table
199 Gough Street
richtablesf.com
This casual eatery puts attention on its market-driven menu, which features land and sea equally: pork lasagna, king salmon and clams, lamb tartare and oysters on the half shell.
Bouli Bar
1 Ferry Building Marketplace
bouletteslarder.com
A casual restaurant serves pizzas like the “Lost in Translation,” a tuna, togarashi, cauliflower and lemon creation, or baccala with salt cod, potato purée, roasted garlic and parsley, as well as seasonal salads.
La Urbana
661 Divisadero Street
laurbanasf.com
A creative, cantina-style Mexican spot with an elevated menu—including Huarache de Pato (duck leg, Mayocaba bean spread with queso fresco)— and a thoughtful cocktail list.
Hi Lo BBQ
3416 19 Street
hilobbqsf.com
This Mission district barbeque boasts a 7,000-pound Mesquite Texas Oyler Pit, named Precious, to perfectly cook its Hi Lo sausage, Thai BBQ chicken, beef short ribs and Berkshire pulled pork. The homemade pull-apart rolls and honey butter are also truly addictive.
Akiko’s
431 Bush Street
akikosrestaurant.com
Akiko’s cranks out some of the most amazing sushi in the city in a room with an underground New York feel, care of exposed brick and minimal design. The beni toro (seared salmon belly) is not to be believed, nor is the light-as-air yellowtail collar.
Aliment
Aliment
786 Bust Street
alimentsf.com
Comfort food with a twist is on the menu at this 49-seat anti-diner, where small plates include seared diver scallops with grilled nectarine, pea shoots and chili oil and chopped kale salad with avocado and anchovy dressing.
