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The 38 Essential San Francisco Restaurants, October 2010

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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, save for those occasions when you absolutely must spend half a paycheck. Every couple of months, we'll be adding pertinent restaurants that were omitted, have newly become eligible (restaurants must be open at least six months), or have stepped up their game.

This time around, after lots of deep thoughts and reader reflections, we're dropping Coco 500—charming indeed, but not an essential fixture any longer—Zuni—been there, done that— and Absinthe as we wait for new chef Adam Keough to get his sea legs. Also Magnolia Brewery because its more of a stellar beer spot than a place we’d recommend for its cuisine and Boulevard as it’s just not indicative of what’s vital in San Francisco right now. Who's in: new neighborhood charmer Frances, Upper Haight cocktail den with ever-more-impressive food, The Alembic; Nopa offshoot and clutch Mexican sit-down spot, Nopalito; Baker & Banker because it embodies the glorified yet honest style of dining that’s making our city tick right now and the San Francisco pizza mover that keeps evolving, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana.

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 in the tipline.

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Perbacco

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Tadich Grill

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Bix Restaurant

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Slanted Door

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COI Restaurant

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15 Romolo

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R & G Lounge

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Swan Oyster Depot

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Canteen

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Ryoko Restaurant & Bar

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DOSA on Fillmore

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Contigo

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Frances

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Incanto

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Baker & Banker

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Beretta

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The Alembic

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Maverick

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Foreign Cinema

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Delfina/Pizzeria Delfina

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Bar Bambino

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Flour and Water

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Blue Bottle Cafe

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AME Restaurant

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Tony's Pizza Napoletana

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Nopalito

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Town Hall Restaurant

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Zaré at Fly Trap

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Loading comments...

Perbacco

Tadich Grill

Bix Restaurant

Slanted Door

Quince

COI Restaurant

15 Romolo

R & G Lounge

Swan Oyster Depot

Canteen

Ryoko Restaurant & Bar

Sebo

SPQR

DOSA on Fillmore

A16

Related Maps

Spruce

Nopa

Namu

Halu

Aziza

Contigo

Frances

Incanto

Baker & Banker

Beretta

Range

The Alembic

Maverick

Foreign Cinema

Delfina/Pizzeria Delfina

Bar Bambino

Flour and Water

Blue Bottle Cafe

AME Restaurant

Tony's Pizza Napoletana

Nopalito

Town Hall Restaurant

Zaré at Fly Trap

Related Maps