Updated July 2011: After living here for over 10 years, rob and I frequently get asked by newbies or visiting guests for restaurant recommendations, wine country info, tahoe info, and local weekend trip ideas. So as a food, travel, and wanderlust dork, i have decided to post our 'list' here so i don't continually lose it on my laptop or in sloppy emails. Each one is linked out. Please enjoy and feel free to email me with other ideas, as I'm always on the hunt for the next solid homemade pasta, cool ski excursion, or champagne tour!WANT TO TRY: farina, tataki, Commonwealth, Frances, Heirloom Cafe, Saison, Thermador, Mission Chinese Food, Zero Zero, Bodega bistro in Napa, ristobar, gitane, jovino, kappa, town hall, berretta, cafe Majestic, Spruce, Ubuntu, Incanto, la mer, aziza, kiji sushi bar, , humphry slowcomb ice cream, nambe ikazaya bar, pearls in Mill Valley, genki ramen bar, domo sushi, Bottega Burma Superstar , Chapeau! LaSalette, Le Charm, Le Garage, Monti’s, Namu, Sazon, Scopa, Starbelly , Sumika , Troya, Wood Tavern , Zero Zero
ITALIAN/MEDITERRANEAN:
la ciccia
la ciccia
Perbacco/Barbacco: italian, great charcuterie, homemade pastas and wine list (Financial Dist)
Bar Bambino: italian, simple, fab charcuterie station and wine list, nice back patio w heaters (mission)
A16: good pizzas, also good meatballs on Monday nights (marina)
frascati: mediterranean, solid, hearty food, steak, lamb etc, nice wine list (russian hill)
L'osteria del Forno: wonderful Roman style cooking, simple place in North Beach (Little Italy)
delfina: great italian, nice interior, simple and fresh (mission)
emmy's spaghetti shack - get the spaghetti and meatballs, and the ceasar (the mission)
allegro romano - classic roman style trattoria/ristorante, old world charm, amusing owner (russian hill)
trattoria contadina - classic ital-american, huge portions, comfortable italian, family style if you want (north beach)
vogalonga - an italian place in sf that's actually worth eating at. tiny. cosy. (the mission)
SPQR: simple, good italian. very Roman. no reservations, go early. (fillmore)
Pizzetta 211 - simple, gourmet pizza, thin crust very roman style (outer richmond)
Fringale - French bistro. nice steak frites, creme brurlee, frisee with lardons mmmmm (SOMA)
kokkari: good greek food, very nice atmosphere, but i dunno if it's worth the price. (i am greek and biased, of course, and $9 seems crazy for a small piece of spanikopita, $20 for moussaka) but- i haven't been there in about 4 yrs....(downtown)
flour+water - solid neapolitan style pizza, nice rustic setting
SEAFOOD/SUSHI/ASIAN:
Weird Fish: small and cool, inexpensive hipster spot for simple fish and a la cart-type dining (mission)
Bar Crudo: modern/great raw bar, small and intimate, next to a great bar, the Tunnel Top (T'loin)
HK Seafood Co: dim sum on weekends, long wait but worth it (outer sunset)
tadich grill - ditto the anchor oyster bar description, but downtown, lots of old school businessmen (financ dist)
anchor oyster bar - great seafood, but the opposite of fancy or trendy (the castro)
aqua: high end seafood, maybde had its day? (downtown)
sushi zone - the best. nowhere has better fish, and somehow they charge half the price of anywhere else. expect to stand in line for upwards of an hour. (market at gough)
sushi koo- there won't be a line here. nobody seems to know that this place is nearly as good as the zone. sit at the sushi bar, and order off the "catch of the day" menu. and don't tell anyone. (inner sunset)
atami sushi - yummy but slow sushi, tiny spot (cow hollow)
lichee garden: good for dim sum in the afternoon (chinatown)
okoze - yummy suuuushi, $$$. get the starters and the veggie kebabs / robata (r hill)
olema inn - oysters (in bolinas)
slanted door: upscale vietnamese, in the ferry bldg on the water (embarcadero)
san tung - solid chinese (inner sunset)
U-Lee- amazing chinese takeout- get the potstickers (size of softballs), chow fun, and anything else (R Hill)
Ryoko- really solid sushi and open late too! get the specials and sit at the bar. (tenderloin)
Great Eastern - dim sum in chinatown, really good dumplings, 649 jackson near kearny
fish. - amazing fish sandwiches, and dock setting, but pricey, good clam chowser (sausalito)
Anchor&hope- good beer list, nice oysters and starters, decent entrees but pricey (SOMA)
CALIFORNIAN:
Greens - very SF vegetarian restaurant, near the Marina, with fabulous views of the Bridge. go for Brunch!
the corner
Canteen: super cool hipster diner type place w/ inventive, modern american/cal cuisine. two seatings 630, 8pm only. (in the Tenderloin)
jardiniere - apparently has a monday night $45 price fixe
universal cafe - everything is fabulous! (outer mission)
Gary Danko - upscale prix fixe menu. french-ish. one of the few sf A-list places that lives up to it's rep. dated (the waitresses wear sportcoats and ties) but still good (fisherman's wharf)
chez panisse - the best. the birth of california cuisine. but it's in berkeley, and you need reservations like yesterday if you wanna go. (berzerkley)
U-Lee- amazing chinese takeout- get the potstickers (size of softballs), chow fun, and anything else (R Hill)
Ryoko- really solid sushi and open late too! get the specials and sit at the bar. (tenderloin)
Great Eastern - dim sum in chinatown, really good dumplings, 649 jackson near kearny
fish. - amazing fish sandwiches, and dock setting, but pricey, good clam chowser (sausalito)
Anchor&hope- good beer list, nice oysters and starters, decent entrees but pricey (SOMA)
CALIFORNIAN:
Greens - very SF vegetarian restaurant, near the Marina, with fabulous views of the Bridge. go for Brunch!
the corner
Canteen: super cool hipster diner type place w/ inventive, modern american/cal cuisine. two seatings 630, 8pm only. (in the Tenderloin)
jardiniere - apparently has a monday night $45 price fixe
universal cafe - everything is fabulous! (outer mission)
Gary Danko - upscale prix fixe menu. french-ish. one of the few sf A-list places that lives up to it's rep. dated (the waitresses wear sportcoats and ties) but still good (fisherman's wharf)
chez panisse - the best. the birth of california cuisine. but it's in berkeley, and you need reservations like yesterday if you wanna go. (berzerkley)
NoPa: panhandle comfort food, nice space for a drink (lower Divis)
farmer brown - hipster, trendy-ified soul food (SOMA, sketchy corner of 7th and market)
nopalito - good mexican, casual setting, but nicer than a taqueria
moss room- California Academy of Sciences restaurant, cool setting, nice bar/wine list and good food
COMFORT FOOD:
blue plate: good comfort food pork chop, mac n cheese (outer mission)
cafe jacqueline - all souffles, tres romantique (n beach)
urban tavern- good bar bites/cocktails (TenderLoin)
serpentine - or slow club- for the best burgers (Potrero hill, dogpatch)
Terroir - great wine bar, chill, cool industrial interior, nice cheese plate (soma)
maverick - hip, comfort food (mission)
suppenkuche: great, casual german food/beergarden place, hearty food (hayes valley)
fringale - sf style french bistro. solid. get the steak frites. (SOMA)
mochica - cali twist on upscale south american cuisine (SOMA)
foreign cinema - awesome sunday brunch if it's nice outside (mission)
for steak, el raigon and bobo's keep getting excellent reviews, but i haven't been to either. (n beach and cow hollow)
brenda's kitchn - Creole/french soul food- amazing Beignet 'flight' (tenderloin)
----------------------------------------------------
NAPA & SONOMA RESTAURANTS:
----------------------------------------------------
NAPA & SONOMA RESTAURANTS:
girl and the fig: country french on the square in napa
brix: oriental/french in napa
mustards grill: american + continental influences, napa
bouchon: wonderful french bistro brasserie, thomas keller's french laundry alternative in napa
tra vigne: rustic italian, villa setting, napa
farmhouse inn: russian river valley, high end regional
brix: oriental/french in napa
mustards grill: american + continental influences, napa
bouchon: wonderful french bistro brasserie, thomas keller's french laundry alternative in napa
tra vigne: rustic italian, villa setting, napa
farmhouse inn: russian river valley, high end regional
bounty hunter: amazing Napa BBQ, fun atmosphere, get the Beer Can Chicken and some ribs
cafe la haye- sonoma square
there's a place called something like "the inn at carneros" or"carneros restaurant" or something like that, and it's supposed to be solid as well.
ad hoc
there's a place called something like "the inn at carneros" or"carneros restaurant" or something like that, and it's supposed to be solid as well.
ad hoc
REDD - my new favorite in napa, modern setting, wonderful zucchini flowers, lobster risotto, lamb + figs, confit, fabulous desserts
HEALDSBURG RESTAURANTS:
Cyrus is amazing if you cant get into French Laundry
Barndiva: small plates, more upscale artisanal in Healdsburg
willi's- for the bar and oysters
Bear Republic Brewery is a sweet pub that brews excellent beers.
ravenette
Zin
Ralphs
Downtown Bakery - for scones, eggs, sticky bun breakfast and coffees
SUGGESTED WINERIES:
Cline
Peju - for cabs
Artesa - for setting
Gundlach Bundschu
St. Francis- awesome port, and you can't buy it in the store.
Cakebread- for it's low key feel
Chandon - for the patio and champagnes
Mondavi - for a classic winery feel
Sterling - has a cable car, in Calistoga
Clos pegase - amazing sculpture garden and is designed by Michael Graves
Lambert Bridge - great winery whose wines you won't find anywhere else.
Zichichi
Preston
J - for bubbly
Copain
Twomey/Roshambo
Bella
PICNIC PICKUPS:
oakville grocer, dean and deluca, or v. sattui are great for takeout picnic foods.
St. Francis- awesome port, and you can't buy it in the store.
Cakebread- for it's low key feel
Chandon - for the patio and champagnes
Mondavi - for a classic winery feel
Sterling - has a cable car, in Calistoga
Clos pegase - amazing sculpture garden and is designed by Michael Graves
Lambert Bridge - great winery whose wines you won't find anywhere else.
Zichichi
Preston
J - for bubbly
Copain
Twomey/Roshambo
Bella
PICNIC PICKUPS:
oakville grocer, dean and deluca, or v. sattui are great for takeout picnic foods.
----
?? New fish place in napa
?? New fish place in napa
Don't forget the Barneys outlet in Napa!
-----------------------------------------------------------
TAHOE RESTAURANTS:
Manzanita, at the ritz carlton tahoe
Hiro Sushi (Kings Beach)
Pelusa's Pizza (kings beach)
Lone Eagle Grill - solid steaks and chops, fun bar and patio (incline)
Bite - small plates, good bar (Incline)
Pianeta- Italian (truckee)
Cottonwood- big game, good caesar, crabcakes, wings, bar/tap, and atmosphere (truckee)
Moody's - big night out in tahoe, great wine, live jazz (truckee)
Tacos Jalisco - get 3+ soft tacos (truckee)
River Ranch- good comfort food, huge portions, nice setting on river (rt 89 near Alpine meadows)
Plumpjack's - nouveau, city-esque place (Squaw)
Graham's- great homey atmosphere, nice steaks and salads, wine list (squaw)
Mamasake Happy Hour- $5 beer + hand roll (Squaw)
Sandy's Pub - burgers, bar food, best tap in tahoe (Squaw Creek Hotel)
Sunnyside- taco tuesdays (tahoe city)
Bridgetender- burgers, bar- (tahoe city)
Fire Side- best breakfast (west shore)
Tahoe House- best coffee/bakery (west shore)
T's - solid bbq, rotisserie chicken, and takeout grillables (Incline Village)
Need to try:
west shore cafe, dragonfly sushi, christy Inn, soule domain, le bistro or some french place in incline
-----------------------------------------------------------
TAHOE RESTAURANTS:
Manzanita, at the ritz carlton tahoe
Hiro Sushi (Kings Beach)
Pelusa's Pizza (kings beach)
Lone Eagle Grill - solid steaks and chops, fun bar and patio (incline)
Bite - small plates, good bar (Incline)
Pianeta- Italian (truckee)
Cottonwood- big game, good caesar, crabcakes, wings, bar/tap, and atmosphere (truckee)
Moody's - big night out in tahoe, great wine, live jazz (truckee)
Tacos Jalisco - get 3+ soft tacos (truckee)
River Ranch- good comfort food, huge portions, nice setting on river (rt 89 near Alpine meadows)
Plumpjack's - nouveau, city-esque place (Squaw)
Graham's- great homey atmosphere, nice steaks and salads, wine list (squaw)
Mamasake Happy Hour- $5 beer + hand roll (Squaw)
Sandy's Pub - burgers, bar food, best tap in tahoe (Squaw Creek Hotel)
Sunnyside- taco tuesdays (tahoe city)
Bridgetender- burgers, bar- (tahoe city)
Fire Side- best breakfast (west shore)
Tahoe House- best coffee/bakery (west shore)
T's - solid bbq, rotisserie chicken, and takeout grillables (Incline Village)
Need to try:
west shore cafe, dragonfly sushi, christy Inn, soule domain, le bistro or some french place in incline
-----------------------------------------------------
WEEKEND TRIPS FROM SF:
WEEKEND TRIPS FROM SF:
Colby cove or something near bay area discovery museum just over the GGBridge, new restaurant / luxury lodge there called Cavallo Point inn
Steep ravine, cool cabins near Stinson beach, reserve online, cabins are $75
Serenisea, Mendocino rustic Cabins w hot tubs
Sea Ranch, Mendocino posh
Post Ranch Inn (POSH place in Big Sur)
Ventana Inn (also POSH in big sur) about 2.5 hrs south
Treebones resort, passed Big Sur, luxe huts on the coast in Big Sur
Olema Inn, just past Bolinas- also supposed to be nice, good eats and oysters there as well
Nick's Cove - some cool cabin place near Hog Island Oysters-
anything in napa, sonoma, healdsburg
wilbur hot springs-or harbin- hippie lodges, but fun
Great ideas here- http://www.weekendsherpa.com/
Steep ravine, cool cabins near Stinson beach, reserve online, cabins are $75
Serenisea, Mendocino rustic Cabins w hot tubs
Sea Ranch, Mendocino posh
Post Ranch Inn (POSH place in Big Sur)
Ventana Inn (also POSH in big sur) about 2.5 hrs south
Treebones resort, passed Big Sur, luxe huts on the coast in Big Sur
Olema Inn, just past Bolinas- also supposed to be nice, good eats and oysters there as well
Nick's Cove - some cool cabin place near Hog Island Oysters-
anything in napa, sonoma, healdsburg
wilbur hot springs-or harbin- hippie lodges, but fun
Great ideas here- http://www.weekendsherpa.com/
