Castro

• Chilango - Is it the dawn of Taqueria 2.0? With the growing number of places in San Francisco serving more than burritos and the same old taco line-up, and a commitment to using sustainable and quality ingredients, it’s a good thing to...

Cow Hollow

• Roam Artisan Burgers - I applaud people trying to eat healthy. Although as far as I’m concerned, the applause is usually more of an aggressive hand clap, saying, “Marcia! No fries with that!” Or a police siren, telling me to pull it on over...

Financial District

• Barbacco - Did Brian Eno open a restaurant in San Francisco? Nope, the “eno trattoria” next to the Barbacco name (in a zippy, Vespa-esque font) on the building’s exterior is short for enoteca, a term originally used to signify a local wine...

Marina

• Tacolicious - Restaurant reinventions are interesting: there are things you may long for from the previous place (I really did enjoy the food at the Spanish Laïola), but I’m happy for the success owner Joe Hargrave and co-owner Sara Deseran have found...

Mission

• Nombe - What would I consider a fine quality in a restaurant? Well, for starters, chicken skin on the menu is most certainly an eye-catching item. Oh, and what I’d call “chef chicken wings,” juicy and meaty numbers sporting a crispy and...
• Gracias Madre - Almost anyone who lives in San Francisco has an opinion on Café Gratitude, and when I heard their vegan-organic-Mexican offshoot, Gracias Madre, was opening on Mission Street, I think my brain had already selected flash cards that went something like...
• Bruno's - The Southern-inspired cooking from the "Gypsy Kitchen" duo of Ryan Ostler and Katharine Zacher is homey, hearty, and made by people who know what's up. On the menu: some of my favorite pulled pork and Buffalo wings in SF, meaty pork ribs, a dark chicken and sausage gumbo, and don't forget to order the cheesy spicy grits on the side. Stellar baked items, like the biscuits and bacon palmiers, plus other special dessert-y surprises.

North Beach

• Don Pisto's - We all have obsessions. Some, for Italian vehicles. Others, for stamps, or horses, or burritos, sad clown artwork, big breasts, chocolate chip cookies, Hummel figurines, pickles, ice cream. Or, in the case of Pete Mrabe, the chef-owner of Don Pisto’s...

Pacific Heights

• Out The Door - As my friend and I were inhaling—truly, with our noses, and not (yet) scarfing—the winter melon soup at the latest Out the Door on Bush Street, I realized I had found an equally strong contender for “the dish I want...
• Baker & Banker - A cozy and comfortable New American neighborhood restaurant in Pac Heights from husband and wife Lori Baker and Jeff Banker. The innovative and upscale market-driven menu includes delicious salads, and the duck is a standout entrée--there's also a tasting menu. Save room for dessert; even the sorbets are notable.

Potrero Hill

• Pizza Nostra - Delicious Italian-style pizzas are the highlight, plus there are antipasti and pastas to round out your meal (eggplant involtini are tasty). Get the spicy pili-pili oil and a glass of chilled Bonarda with your pizza. Casual and easygoing; plentiful outdoor seating.

Richmond (Inner)

• Prime Rib Shabu - When I hear the words “all you can eat,” I usually turn the other way and get to steppin’ in my high heels. What can I say, I’m not in my twenties anymore. But when I spoke with owner Luke...

Sunset (Inner)

• Curry Village - When my sister and I traveled to India, we knew it was going to ruin us on Indian food once we returned to SF. And, well, it kind of did. I can’t even find a replacement for the shockingly good...