As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of industry types, writers, and readers. This year, we asked the group eight questions, from 2010 Headlines to Top Standbys. Single Best Meals were revealed earlier today, and all will be answered by the time we turn off the lights on Thursday. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut, pasted and unedited herein:
A little place called Flour + Water. [Photo: Jennifer Yin, 6/1/09]
Bruce Hill, Picco/Bix: Nombe. It was almost my best meal. Stellar.
Oliver Strand, New York Times: Commis (Oakland), Barlata (Oakland)
Lissa Doumani, Terra/Ame: ?First I have to say that most restaurants are closed by the time we can get out so we have not tried many of the newer restaurants. ?54 Mint still enchants me, I really love the space and the dishes have an honest Italian hand. Flour + Water they balance flavors so well and are not afraid to serve the offal parts I love.?
Jessica Battilana, 7x7: What a hard year for new restaurants. I was happy to meet Cane Rosso, which isn’t exactly a restaurant in the traditional sense. It’s terrible to sit there, but I think the food is great, particularly the brisket sandwich. I yawned when I heard Charles Phan was opening another Out the Door, but I think he and Grace knocked it out of the park by serving a tremendous Viet-Cal breakfast. The chicken porridge is the best way to start a day. Flour + Water has been massively overhyped, but I have had several good meals there.
Brock Keeling: SFist: Matthew Accarrino at SPQR
Joe Hargrave, Tacolicious: Commis. with no second place in its vicinity.
Sarah Sung, UrbanDaddy: Personally: Flour + Water and 54 Mint. Media attention-wise: Quince and Frances. New chef reviving an old spot: Chad Newton at Fish & Farm
Ryan Farr, 4505 Meats: Frances, Wexler's, Flour + Water
Rajat Parr, RN74: Flour + Water
Nish Nadaraja, Yelp: Flour + Water and Delarosa, guess I have pizza on my mind.
Anna Weinberg, South: 54 Mint, Flour + Water, SPQR redux
Jan Newberry, San Francisco Magazine: There were so many great new restaurants this year. Commis, Saison, Boot and Shoe Service, Emilia's Pizza, Flour + Water, the new Quince. RN74, Contigo.
Lucchesi: I'll echo the chorus with F+W and Commis. I also appreciate that RN74 and Little Skillet both (successfully) tried something different and it's pretty amazing that Quince reinvented itself so well, but in terms of repeat visits in 2010, my favorite newcomer might be Frances. The place has heart, standout food/wine, and it already feels like a grown-up restaurant. It's also very nice to have a permanent Blue Bottle in the Ferry Building, and 15 Romolo's revamp last January/February turned out pretty well.
Let's hear your standouts in the comments.
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