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The 38 Essential San Francisco Restaurants, April 2013

by Allie Pape Apr 23, 2013, 6:11am PDT

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by Allie Pape Apr 23, 2013, 6:11am PDT

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It's time to update the Eater 38, your answer and ours to any question that begins, “Can you recommend a restaurant?” This highly elite group covers the entire city, spans myriad cuisines and collectively satisfies all of your restaurant needs. Every few months, we add pertinent restaurants that were omitted, have newly become eligible (restaurants must be open at least six months) or have stepped up their game. And keep in mind, this list is presented in no particular order.

As always, this means we have to drop a few great places, and we continue to hold places in our hearts for Leopold's, and Bix. Their spaces are filled by vegetarian-beloved Greens and ice-cream masters Humphry Slocombe. And with the departure of pioneering bar manager Daniel Hyatt from the Alembic, we're adding a different sort of drinking spot, third-wave coffee leaders Four Barrel/The Mill. (Alcohol aficionados, our cocktail heatmap has what you're seeking.)

Rather than having a stage-four meltdown over our having excluded your favorite restaurant from the list, wouldn't it be more productive to just nominate it for inclusion?

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Nopa

Both neighborhood standby and destination restaurant, Nopa continues to grow admirably under Chef Jossel. Honorable mention to its little Mexican sis, Nopalito.

560 Divisadero St., San Francisco, CA 94117

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Frances

James Beard-beloved chef Melissa Perello has given us Frances, an easy-going, timeless neighborhood nook, serving hearty, yet nuanced seasonal dinners. Always begin with her bacon beignets, and finish with a slice of rich, apple-filled lumberjack cake.

3870 17th St., San Francisco, CA 94114

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Lers Ros Thai

Sure Lers Ros is the only authentic Thai restaurant with rabbit, frog and venison on its regular menu, but even the pad Thai rivals the best you'll find anywhere in Thailand.

730 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109

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Bar Tartine

Though it opened in 2006, the restaurant from the Tartine Bakery people continues to reinvent itself. Thanks to Nick Balla's ahead-of-the-curve Eastern European menus, this rustic neighborhood staple continues to be one of the hottest reservations in town. A shout is also in order for the new adjacent sandwich shop, touting irresistible smørrebrød during the lunch hour.

561 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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ICHI Sushi

[Photo: SushiYo]

3369 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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SPQR

Chef Matt Accarrino continues to refine his craft, serving his own irresistible brand of Italian food, that remains hearty and homey despite the use of refined technique. Try to score seats at the chef's counter and don't miss the exceptional wine list, curated by award-winning sommelier Shelley Lindgren.

1911 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

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Aziza

Mourad Lahlou continues to redefine Moroccan cuisine in the California vernacular: from the must-order bisteeya, to sous vide short rib with carrot jam, to Melissa Chou's not-to-be-missed, anything-but-rustic desserts.

5800 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121

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Tony’s Pizza Napoletana

World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani bakes every kind of pizza imaginable: New York, Roman, Sicilian, and on. His Neapolitan is an award-winner and his on-site pizza school attracts students from across the country. Bonus points for a bustling, friendly atmosphere, including a bar for date nights and booths for grandpa.

1570 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133

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Namu Gaji

The Lee Brothers hit a gold mine when they opened their sophomore effort on Dolores Park, serving the most nuanced, contemporary take on Korean food in town. Menu standouts include the KFC (chicken wings), stonepot rice, okonomiyaki, and dumplings. It's worth going in early for happy hour, the only time gamja fries and Korean tacos are served.

499 Dolores St., San Francisco, CA 94103

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Gitane

You’ll almost want to sink your teeth into Gitane’s luscious, richly textured interior, but do save yourself for the hyper-regional Andalusian menu. At five courses for $65, the tasting menu is a great deal. If you go a la carte, the off-menu bacon bon bons, scallop with sweetbread and Arroz Vegetariano are all worth ordering.

6 Claude Ln, San Francisco, CA 94108

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AQ Restaurant & Bar

Chef-partner Mark Liberman's inspired flavor combinations—think 'bbq pork' with cornbread, mustard ash and licorice root—join a cocktail program and interior design that are best in their San Francisco class, bringing unprecedented energy and food quality to an unlikely stretch of Mission Street.

1085 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103

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Wayfare Tavern

It’s hard to have a bad time at this frisky FiDi hotspot where solid renditions of Southern and San Francisco classics meet impressive cocktails. Food Network main man Tyler Florence is often in the house, so prepare accordingly.

558 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94111

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Four Barrel Coffee/The Mill

SF has many excellent third-wave coffee roasters, but Jeremy Tooker's Mission/Divis duo get the nod for not only having great java, but top-notch pastries and bread from Josey Baker (on Divis) and Belinda Leong (on Valencia). And in this work-from-home town, Four Barrel's no-laptop policy really does make the atmosphere at both cafes more inviting.

375 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

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Bar Agricole

When it opened, raves about Bar Agricole's gorgeous, cutting-edge design and its killer cocktail program rolled in endlessly. Though opening chef Brandon Jew recently departed, his former sous chef Reina Talanoa has kept standards high. The menu changes nightly, but spaghetti and housemade meat dishes are continual hits.

355 11th St., San Francisco, CA 94103

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Tacolicious

For nights when a casual taqueria won't do, Tacolicoius is the best fancier, sit-down Mexican restaurant option. Its fresh, local takes on traditional tacos, solid margaritas, and stylish atmosphere easily win out over other possibilities like Velvet Cantina and Tia Margarita.

741 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110

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Zaré at Fly Trap

Chef/owner Hoss Zare defines hospitality. His restaurant is unlike any other in the city with its big, bold, unfamiliar flavors in the historic setting of the Fly Trap

606 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94107

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The 38 Essential San Francisco Restaurants, January '13

Range

From the training ground for greatness behind their bar, to the always delicious seasonal menu, and friendly service, Range is one of the most consistent restaurants in town.

842 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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Perbacco

Mature and stylish, Perbacco has established itself as one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Owner Umberto Gibin is a presence in the front of house, and chef Staffan Terje continues to surprise with his seasonal and refined Northern Italian fare.

230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

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Foreign Cinema

While the beloved brunch, flickering hearth and nightly movies continue, Gayle Pirie and John Clark are keeping things fresh with new North Africa and Mediterranean menu leanings and a deepened wine program.

2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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Super Duper Burgers

Although it's lovely that there is Straus milk in the shakes and 100% Niman Ranch beef in the patties, what really matters is taste, and Super Duper's burgers—with their perfect ratio of meat to bread and cheddar cheese—continually rank among the best in the Bay Area.

721 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94103

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Greens Restaurant

Annie Somerville's been quietly putting out excellent vegetarian fare down at Fort Mason for more than 30 years, and dishes like mesquite-grilled tofu brochettes and potato griddle cakes will win over even the most die-hard carnivore. The water views are pretty great as well.

Building A, San Francisco, CA 94123

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Flour + Water

The opening media buzz has died down, but F+W continues to gather lines at 5 p.m. nightly, packing the house with its sophisticated pizzas and pastas served in a lively, casual atmosphere.

2401 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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Mission Chinese Food

Try crossing the studied, Sichuan-laced creations of a workhorse young chef with a kickback dive atmosphere, pumped up by ghetto rap and a 60-foot dragon. Now you’ve got the biggest Chinese restaurant adventure in San Francisco.

2234 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

Adam Keough has revived this bustling Hayes Valley fixture. Its lively, yet comforting brasserie scene is still on, but now there’s an energized bar food program, and the menu has a new soul.

398 Hayes St., San Francisco, CA 94102

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La Taqueria

It wouldn’t be San Francisco without The Mission’s squadron of gut-busting taquerias. This one continues to lead the pack with unwavering rave reviews for its sublime, spot-on Mexico staples.

2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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La Ciccia

Not so much San Francisco Italian, as pure unadulterated regional Italian, this family-run sparkler is free of pretension and full of love. Don’t miss the sea urchin pasta.

291 30th St, San Francisco, CA 94131

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Delfina/Pizzeria Delfina

You can make the argument that no restaurant in the last decade has changed the dining landscape quite like Delfina and its pizzeria offshoot next door.

3621 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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La Torta Gorda

When a "hole-in-the-wall" turns out to be a bright family-run stop with outrageously good tortas and super authentic Puebla eats; that's 38 material.

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2833 24th St., San Francisco, CA 94110

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Outerlands

This surfer-chic Outer Sunset haunt looks like it belongs in the pages of Dwell. The bread, made in the Tartine style, is worth the trip alone, but don't overlook chef Brett Cooper's phenomenal soups or his inspired use of farm fresh produce in almost every entree on the menu.

4001 Judah St, San Francisco, CA 94122

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Zuni Cafe

Besides "the" chicken, Zuni's burger, Caesar salad and bloody Mary have all been called the best in the city.

1658 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102

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Izakaya Sozai

Izakaya Sozai did the izakaya thing before izakayas were a thing, and it continues to deliver one of San Francisco's most superb ramen, uni, (seasonal) shirako, and friendly service with prices that won't rock your bank account.

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1500 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

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Bar Crudo

In our age of open kitchens, there's something to be said for the aeriel view you can get here. More importantly, the creative crudo spins, addictive clam chowder and airy atmosphere are always enlivening.

655 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

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