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The 38 Essential San Francisco Restaurants, October '12

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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.

This time around, after much reflecting and poring over reader emails and comments, Leopold's is swapped for Baker and Banker, which is still doing awesome things in Pacific Heights. Although Incanto comes from Chris Cosentino, one of San Francisco's most famous chefs, it's getting dropped because of several lackluster reports, and replaced by another San Francisco landmark, the always excellent Yank Sing. And, Maven in the Lower Haight is nudged out to make way for State Bird Provisions, which by now needs no introduction.

For those of you readying the pitchforks because your favorite restaurant isn't on the list, wouldn't it just be more productive to nominate it for inclusion? State your cases for (or against) restaurants in the comments or via the tipline.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Commonwealth

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DOSA on Fillmore

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Frances

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Contigo

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Lers Ros Thai

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Tony's Pizza Napoletana

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The Alembic

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Perbacco

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Flour and Water

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Zaré at Fly Trap

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Wayfare Tavern

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Foreign Cinema

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Lung Shan Restaurant\Mission Street Food

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Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

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La Taqueria

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La Ciccia Restaurant

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Delfina/Pizzeria Delfina

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Bar Agricole

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Park Tavern

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Gitane Restaurant & Bar

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La Torta Gorda

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Outerlands

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Zuni Cafe

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Izakaya Sozai

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Bar Crudo

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AQ Restaurant & Bar

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State Bird Provisions

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Yank Sing

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Cotogna

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Bix Restaurant

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Swan Oyster Depot

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Leopold's

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Commonwealth

Aziza

DOSA on Fillmore

Nopa

Frances

Contigo

Lers Ros Thai

Bouche

Tony's Pizza Napoletana

The Alembic

SPQR

Range

Perbacco

Flour and Water

Zaré at Fly Trap

Related Maps

Wayfare Tavern

Foreign Cinema

Lung Shan Restaurant\Mission Street Food

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

La Taqueria

La Ciccia Restaurant

Delfina/Pizzeria Delfina

Bar Agricole

Park Tavern

Gitane Restaurant & Bar

La Torta Gorda

Outerlands

Zuni Cafe

Izakaya Sozai

Bar Crudo

Benu

AQ Restaurant & Bar

State Bird Provisions

Yank Sing