San Francisco Restaurant Run-Down
There's a conversation going on over at Chowhound and participants are separating restaurants into several categories. Here's my list, with a bit of a twist on the categories. There is no priority within the category - the restaurants are just listed how they came out of my head.
Restaurants that I know to support local farmers are marked with an asterisk (*).
You'll probably notice that I don't have a ton of super high-end restaurants on the lists. I feel much more comfortable at the mid-level places, especially in San Francisco.
I'm not a meme girl, but if I were, this would be a fun one to pass around - dontcha think?
My creme de la creme:
*A16
*Coco500
*Zuni Cafe
Bodega Bistro
*Pizzetta 211
Absinthe
Maki
Pesce
The Helmand
*SPQR
Favorite Hole in the Walls:
My Tofu House
Yummy Yummy
Darbar
San Tung
El Tonayense Taco Truck
La Palma Mexicatessen
Chavo's
La Corneta
*Primavera Stand at the FPFM
May be a favorite, but I need to go a few more times:
Alembic
*Delfina
*Pizzeria Delfina
*Kokkari
Cav
Ino
*Rubicon
*Canteen
Dosa
*Foreign Cinema
*Slanted Door
*Spruce
Koo
Sebo
Liked it better the second time
*Piccino
*Nopa
Underwhelmed by, but may retry given the overwhelmingly positive reports:
Bar Tartine
Maverick (I've gone for brunch only)*Incanto (retried in 1/08. No longer underwhelmed.)*Nopa (moved up 12/2007)
Piccino (moved up 11/25/2007)
Underwhelmed by, and no plans to return:
*Bacar (pre Robbie Lewis)
Acquerello
Ozumo (pre Mike Yakura)
Cassis
Nua
Cannot wait to go to:*SPQR (Moved up, 10/1/07 then moved up again 11/7/07)Sebo (tried 02/08. Moved up.)
*Quince
Haven't been, and want to go:
*Aziza
Ame
Ducca
Bar Crudo
Spork
Perbacco
Ritz Carlton Dining Room
Myth
*La Folie
Terzo
1550 Hyde
Zushi PuzzleNua (moved, 11/7/07)




Oh, how sad am I to see Acquerello on your no-go list? We share a few want-to-gos. Want to go?
Posted by: Hedonia | September 26, 2007 at 05:54 PM
That's exactly what I was hoping would happen -- that people would offer to go with me to the want-to-go's. :) Just say when ... now that I know you're alive!
Re Acquerello, it's the one that I debated about the most on the list. To me, it was just underwhelming and the atmosphere rather stuffy. Things are well executed, but nothing I've eaten there sticks out. At a different price point, it would probably go into the "willing to try again" category, but it's pricey.
Posted by: jen maiser | September 26, 2007 at 06:47 PM
Wanna go Bar Crudo or Perbacco?
Also, Sebo is a Need to Go for me too.
I went to Quince when it first opened and it is one of the most expensive restaurants I've ever been to. Very good, but best to go on someone else's tab.
Posted by: Jane | September 26, 2007 at 08:01 PM
We have a Helmand here in baltimore, Aghan food I believe. Supposed to be really good. Is that what yours is? How interesting, could it be the same owners.
Posted by: Clare | September 27, 2007 at 08:34 AM
Jane, YES. :)
Clare, Wikipedia says that the Baltimore Helmand is related. I knew there was a related one in Cambridge, but you should try the Baltimore one! The owner is the brother of Hamid Karzai ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamid_Karzai
Posted by: jen maiser | September 27, 2007 at 09:32 AM
Cool! Well I can say that Sebo, Terzo and Aziza are all on my fave list -- so maybe I'll let you try those with another newbie. On the mutual desirables list, I see SPQR (Maybe after the buzz dies down), Bar Crudo, Spork and Nua. Ritz Carlton is also on my to-do list, but that's gonna have to be like a birthday or anniversary or something. Perbacco I've only had tastings of, and would like to check out for a full meal, though I've gotten wildly discrepant reports on it. Also on my to-do list is a revisit to La Ciccia, Front Porch, Gialina, Mission Beach Cafe and Walzwerk -- in no particular order.
Posted by: Sean | September 27, 2007 at 08:23 PM
don't let Sean have ALL the fun - you have a potential dining partner in me too. There are lots of goodies on your list.
Posted by: sam | September 30, 2007 at 07:11 AM
I know you wrote this ages ago, but now that my first grad school semester is over, I'm catching up on my foodblog reading! Your list makes me long for a trip to SF!! I loved my visits to Coco500 (though I REALLY hate the name for some reason), Pesce and Zuni Cafe. I hope by now you've had a chance to taste Bar Crudo or Aziza--also two of my favorites.
I know I should have nothing to complain about here in NY, and I don't, really, but your list makes me realize some of my absolute favorite meals have been in the Bay Area.
Posted by: erin | January 03, 2008 at 04:26 PM