Saddles, on the square, is a Sonoma throwback, an old-school steakhouse where diners are primed for prime rib with something shaken or stirred from the martini bar.
Rustic French offerings range from charcuterie to quiche Lorraine. But the kitchen also gets creative with the restaurant's namesake fruit, serving fig "Oreos" stuffed with local chèvre cheese.
This Carneros Inn restaurant does slightly dressed-up versions of casual dishes (Kobe beef burgers, mac-&-Gruyère cheese) at prices that don't break the bank, leaving plenty of cash for the wineries.
The restaurant located within this Julia Child-backed food and cultural center is a must-see. You can be sure that the produce is fresh and skillfully prepared.
Request a fireside table in one of the tiny stone rooms and settle in for a tasting menu that is whimsical, flavorful, and worth every minute of the two full months you waited to get a reservation.
Swing by this outdoor shack for a to-go order from the tremendous variety of oysters, or bring your own wine and charcoal for oceanside grilling and dining.
The daily-changing menu is limited (one option per course), but not a single dish of the three courses will disappoint at this sophisticated, eco-friendly Berkeley mainstay.
Take a day trip out to Sonoma and stop by Cyrus to dine a la carte at the bar or create your own 3-, 4- or 5-course meal. No one will blame you if you eat the foie gras for all 5 courses.
This San Fran landmark serves all its dishes cold (except for the rainy-day staple, clam chowder). Knock back oysters on your lunch break and chat up the cooks for secrets of the century-old spot.
The cocktail menu, ever evolving at the hands of talented bartenders, is the star of this Mission District hotspot. Desserts, somehow both homey and sophisticated, are some of the best in the city.
You'll think you're back home in Italy with the comfy-casual decor and cooking that satisfies every craving. Pair your carbonara with a selection from the amazingly diverse selection of Italian wines.
Craig Stoll cooks Italian food here through the lens of the Bay Area: hyperseasonal, locally sourced, and as primally satisfying as the home cooking of a Tuscan nonna. The panna cotta is legendary.
Craig Stoll cooks Italian food here through the lens of the Bay Area: hyperseasonal, locally sourced, and as primally satisfying as the home cooking of a Tuscan nonna. The panna cotta is legendary.
Meet-n-greet your neighbors, Southern-style, at a communal table in this trendy BBQ restaurant. Dishes like warm Bakewell cream biscuits with Smithfield ham and pepper jam are true comfort classics.
Part ancient Rome, part unpretentious California, this popular, critically-acclaimed restaurant excels in creating casually authentic Italian food. Try the homemade pasta with carbonara.
Vietnamese street food meets West Coast farmers markets in this hip see-and-be-seen spot. Try the barbecued Willis Ranch pork ribs with a honey-and-hoisin sauce.
Sit at the diner-style counter and watch the chef churn out decidedly un-diner-style food - French-inspired California cooking is his area of expertise. Try the grilled salmon with stewed leeks.
Tapas are perfect any time of the day at this venue. Try baked eggs with chorizo and Manchego for breakfast, grilled ham and cheese bocadillos at noon, and sautéed pimientos de pardon for latenight.
Don't let the long line daunt you - the dim sum at this cheap hotspot is well worth the wait. Cha siu bau and har gow are chosen off carts, or order a full dinner entree (try the salt-baked chicken).
Venture down a tiny alley to find this Chinatown gem, then continue your adventure with a clay pot - the crust is irresistable! Also noteworthy: shrimp-filled wontons in noodle soup.
The burgers are king at this wallet-friendly grill, but don't overlook the Caesar salad - garlicky croutons and a creamy, tangy dressing help produce a stand-out standby.
Mifune is the epitome of noodle houses in the Bay Area. It's nearly impossible to go wrong with the huge selection of perfectly crafted bowls and flavorful dashi-based dipping sauces.
The Mission District is full of Mexican joints, but La Taqueria's devotion to quality meats and dynamic salsas have earned it its spot in the San Fran culinary hall of fame.
Husband and wife couple run this restaurant with precision and love, dishing out local, seasonal French and Italian dishes. Be sure to make a reservation, and try the handmade pasta.
No California rolls here - this local favorite is for serious sushi lovers only! Be prepared to wait - they don't accept reservations - but you cannot go wrong by saying the magic word: "omakase."
Opt to sit in the formal dining room for an inventive, gastropub-esque chef's tasting menu and active participation of all five senses, or relax in the lounge with hearty, delicious comfort food.
The subtly regal dining room serves as an ideal backdrop for Mina's sophisticated dishes. Lobster pot pie and poultry prepared three ways (confit, tea-brined, & en croquette) are two flawless options.
This luxe hotspot offers all kinds of dishes, from classic (boudin blanc) to contemporary (turmeric-poached chicken) to casual (housemade balogna sandwiches). Try the burger, one of the best in town.
Chef Jeff Banker pulls from myriad global influences in his "New American" menu but a neighborhoody air and extras make it everything a SF restaurant should be right now. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Adam Keough has revived this bustling Hayes Valley fixture. Its lively, yet comforting brasserie scene remains, but now there’s an energized bar food program & the menu has new soul. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Like Zuni, a onetime trailblazer inspired by the Chez Panisse mantra. And like Zuni, a fully-fledged restaurant on all levels, from food to service. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Melissa Perello returns with Frances, an easy-going nook with a menu to match that’s swiftly become the muse of local rags, international pubs and the James Beard Foundation. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Because Brett Emerson had a vision and he's stuck to it, creating the perfect neighborhood Bay Area-inflected Spanish restaurant. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
If you can handle wordy descriptions and a sometimes-moody staff, your reward is a haunt for cocktail enthusiasts that serves savory bites warranting a trip on their own merit. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
You'd be hard-pressed to find better okonomiyaki in the city. Throw in the Beatles decor, the offal-laden yakitori, and the friendly family vibe and the tiny Halu's a win. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Mourad Lahlou is a chef that should/will soon be on the national radar. His Cal-Moroccan cuisine is only getting better with three-star chef Louis Maldonado aboard. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Asmall but mighty destination forseafood (both the raw and cooked variety), and one of the best nightly happy hours around.
