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Welcome to San Francisco—the City by the Bay! S.F.O., cable cars, hilly streets and beautiful vistas—a great place to live— an even greater place to live it up. To help you find some of the city’s finest in dining and entertainment, we’ve put this guide together and cut through the clutter to let you know about the best places to eat, drink and then eat some more. We asked our Bay Area friends for their recommendations on where to sample the local cuisine. The result is a list of those secret locales only the locals know about. After all, at Sonnhalter, we not only like to get our hands dirty…we like to get them gooey too! When you’re not busy with business, be sure to head up—or down—the street to sample some of the many hangouts and hideaways. And make it a point to check out the famous landmarks, but most of all, enjoy…there’s no place like San Francisco! Insider’s Guide to FRANCISCO SAN SOMA (South of Market) 54 Mint Dottie’s True Blue Cafe Oola Restaurant & Bar Italian American (Traditional), Breakfast & Brunch, American (New), Bars, Breakfast & Brunch (415) 543-5100 Cafes (415) 995-2061 www.54mint.com (415) 885-2767 www.oola-sf.com On a tiny alley, this “authentic” SoMa joint www.dottiestruebluesf.com Burgers, mac ’n’ cheese and such served turns out traditional Roman fare prepared Big helpings of American morning fare in a room mixing brick, timber and metallic with “simple, delicious ingredients” and and lunch items on tables covered with old gold wallpaper. follows through with great cocktails. movie-star photos. Known for its “outstand- ing” chili-cheddar cornbread with jalapeño jelly and other down-home brunch classics. Prospect Bluestem Brasserie P.S. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. American (New) Brasseries (415) 247-7770 (415) 547-1111 Jersey www.prospectsf.com www.bluestembrasserie.com Pizza, Italian Chef Nancy Oakes’ bustling restaurant This swanky brasserie with an urban (415) 912-1502 serves New American cuisine and cocktails ambiance is a “find” for generous in a posh space. Given the “swanky” cocktails and solid New American fare. www.jerseysf.com address (the first floor of a swish SoMa Mid-priced pizza joint inspired by the Garden condo), expect “expense-account prices” State and serving exquisitely topped pies, and “lots of suits,” though it also works Deli Board pasta, meat dishes and seafood, along with for a romantic “date night.” Delis, Sandwiches local wine and beer. (415) 552-7687 Salt House www.deliboardsf.com Marlowe American (New), Bars Deli with fantastic handmade sandwiches American (New), Brasseries (415) 543-8900 known for “amazing fixin’s” and some (415) 777-1413 “unique options” along with the traditional www.salthousesf.com roast beef or turkey. Just be warned, seating www.marlowesf.com This popular American sibling of Town Hall is limited and it’s only open for lunch. Stylish, lively restaurant serving Californian fields a well-done menu highlighted by a comfort food in a hip and sprawling space, “delicious poutine.” including an outdoor patio. SOMA (South of Market) - cont’d SoMa StrEat Food Park Sushirrito Zero Zero Food Trucks Japanese, Asian Fusion Pizza, Italian, Lounges www.somastreatfoodpark.com (415) 495-7655 (415) 348-8800 Rotating lineup of food trucks that are sure www.sushirrito.com www.zerozerosf.com to amaze, delight and astound. The park Sushi house known for their “burrito-sized” Wood-fired, thin-crust pizzas and other features beer, wine, TV screens, carnival rolls with Asian and Latin flavors. Italian standards at a swanky eatery with games, wifi and heat lamps for the cold nights. a lively bar scene. P.S. “Build-your-own” sundaes are a hit with all ages. Financial District/Embarcadero Barbacco Cotogna Red’s Java House Italian Italian Breakfast & Brunch, Burgers (415) 955-1919 (415) 775-8508 (415) 777-5626 www.barbaccosf.com www.cotognasf.com www.redsjavahouse.com Great small plates plus a seemingly end- Lindsay and Michael Tusk’s “rustic” little Waterside hangout that serves burgers, less number of possible wine pairings are sister of next-door Quince turns out terrific hot dogs, beer and more, with indoor and the attraction at this cozy Downtown Italian pastas and wood-fired pizzas plus other sidewalk seating for bay views. offshoot of Perbacco next door. Plan to share superb country Italian goodness (including as many dishes as possible so as not to miss family-style Sunday suppers). Wine list a thing. features “all bottles the same price.” The Slanted Door Vietnamese, Asian Fusion (415) 861-8032 Boulevard Kokkari French, American (New) Greek, Mediterranean www.slanteddoor.com (415) 543-6084 (415) 981-0983 Charles Phan’s exceptional Embarcadero “destination” in the Ferry Building www.boulevardrestaurant.com www.kokkari.com continues to be the apex of modern Boasting an amazing view of the Bay Bridge Longtime, world-class Downtown Greek that Vietnamese cuisine. and belle epoque decor as a backdrop, “sets the bar” with its electric atmosphere enjoy superb American meals matched by a and irresistible food. “deep” wine list. Trestle American (New) La Mar Cebichería Peruana (415) 772-0922 Cafe Claude Seafood, Peruvian www.trestlesf.com French (415) 397-8880 (415) 392-3505 New American restaurant offering www.lamarsf.com 3-course prix fixe meals in a quaint www.cafeclaude.com Celeb chef Gastón Acurio serves Peruvian space with modern flair. Tucked away in a Downtown alley, Classic seafood in a large, partially outdoor space French dishes are served up in an intimate on the pier. bistro space, with some outdoor seating and Wayfare Tavern even some occasional live jazz. American (Traditional) Pier 23 Cafe (415) 772-9060 Seafood, American (New) www.wayfaretavern.com Coqueta (415) 362-5125 Spanish, Tapas/Small Plates Genius popovers and amazing fried chicken www.pier23cafe.com (415) 704-8866 are menu highlights at this “creative Embarcadero hut that serves fish tacos, comfort-food” establishment. www.coquetasf.com fish ’n’ chips, drinks and more, with Happening Spanish tapas bar (sibling to outdoor, waterside seating. Bottega) on the Embarcadero, with perfect bay views and cleverly constructed cocktails. North Beach Da Flora-A Venetian Osteria Mama’s on Washington Square Tony’s Pizza Napoletana Italian Breakfast & Brunch Pizza, Italian (415) 981-4664 (415) 362-6421 (415) 835-9888 www.daflora.com www.mamas-sf.com www.tonyspizzanapoletana.com Intimate trattoria with eclectic art and Brace yourself for a long wait in line to Bustling Italian eatery draws crowds with a changing menu that always includes access this charming North Beach breakfast- varied pizza options from coal-fired to handmade focaccia. and-lunch “institution.” Roman-style. Gelateria Naia Park Tavern Tosca Cafe Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Gelato American (New), Breakfast & Brunch Italian, Wine Bars (415) 677-9280 (415) 989-7300 (415) 986-9651 www.gelaterianaia.com www.parktavernsf.com www.toscacafesf.com Italian-style ice cream and sorbet made in Regulars go for dinner and stay for the A wonderful transformation of a SF small batches from natural ingredients and “people-watching” at this trendy tavern “landmark,” this longtime North Beach bar seasonal fruits. touted for its iconic North Beach location is now owned by Ken Friedman and April and delicious New American menu backed Bloomfield (NYC’s Spotted Pig) who have up with “honest drinks.” “kept the best parts” – the red leather Golden Boy Pizza booths, checkered floor and vintage murals – Pizza and added a “delicious” Italian menu. Tommaso’s Ristorante Italiano (415) 982-9738 Italian, Pizza, Seafood www.goldenboypizza.com (415) 398-9696 Funky joint serving focaccia pizza to daytime snackers and a late-night, post-bar crowd. www.tommasos.com Family-run institution (since 1935) firing up thin-crust pizzas in its original wood- burning oven. Russian Hill Gary Danko Leopold’s Street American (New) Austrian, Bars American (New) (415) 749-2060 (415) 474-2000 (415) 775-1055 www.garydanko.com www.leopoldssf.com www.streetrestaurant.com Renowned chef Gary Danko’s fixed- Ladies in dirndls serve Austrian fare and Creative New American fare, house- price menus of American cuisine in European beer amid Alpine-lodge decor infused vodkas and wine served in a an elegant but unstuffy setting. and an Oktoberfest feel. contemporary space. Stones Throw Swensen’s Ice Cream American (New) Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt (415) 796-2901 (415) 775-6818 www.stonesthrowsf.com www.swensensicecream.com Perched on the Hyde Street cable car line, Site of the ice cream chain’s original 1948 this “neighborhoody” Russian Hill bistro shop serving simple and quirky flavors. from vets of Michael Mina and Fat Angel offers a delightful (if “limited”) Cal-American menu accompanied by “hard-to-find” beers and wines. Nob Hill Harris’ Lord Stanley Seven Hills Steakhouses Modern European, American (New) Italian (415) 673-1888 (415) 872-5512 (415) 775-1550 www.harrisrestaurant.com www.lordstanleysf.com www.sevenhillssf.com Acclaimed dry-aged steaks served in a posh, A busy Polk Street corner goes upscale Lively Italian eatery serving farm-to-table wood-paneled dining room, plus live jazz in with this high-end Californian dinner spot Roman fare with an inventive twist in a the bar. combining Asian and European influences candlelit space. Locals say this “best-kept-not- and local and housemade ingredients. P.S. so-secret” trattoria might just be too popular. Gratuity is included. Liholiho Yacht Club Hawaiian, Asian Fusion, Chinese (415) 440-5446 Ristorante Milano Italian www.liholihoyachtclub.com (415) 673-2961 Playful, mid-priced Lower Nob Hill brick- and-mortar that expands on the creative www.milanosf.com Hawaiian, Indian and Chinese flavors of the Tucked into a quiet street, Ristorante Milano popular pop-up.