San Francisco and food “go together like fog and summertime”, according to Kimberley Lovato (author of ‘Unique Eats & Eateries of San Francisco’). And dining out is a sport as beloved as Giants baseball. With thousands of restaurants across the city, choosing where to book a table can be daunting, so here she recommends 8 great restaurants to try in San Francisco in 2018.
#1
Brown Sugar Kitchen Counter (The Ferry Building, Embarcadero)
Bravo Media’s Top Chef and cookbook author Tanya Holland is bringing a taste of her new-style soul food to San Francisco’s Ferry Building. It’ll be a counter-version of her flagship restaurant of the same name in Oakland, and will take over the spot previously occupied by Il Cane Rosso. Fingers crossed her buttermilk-fried chicken and cornmeal waffles, chicken and shrimp gumbo, oyster po-boys, and cast iron skillet cornbread make the trek across the bay with her. Stay tuned for the 2018 opening date.
Did you know?
Among the typical foods to be sampled in San Francisco are abalone, bay shrimp, Dungeness crab, sand dabs, and crusty sourdough.
#2
Eight Tables by George Chen (8 Kenneth Rexroth Place)
Perched like an Empress of Heavenly Food above China Live, the Eately-style marketplace that opened in Chinatown in 2017, George Chen’s serene and elegant new dining oasis has laid out a gold-threaded welcome mat, from the back alley private entrance to the elevator that opens on an elegant and intimate room reminiscent of a private club. The highbrow experience is based on si fang cai, or private chateau cuisine of the Chinese elite. For diners, that translates to an expensive but outstanding 10-course tasting menu, a stunning work of art that dazzles deep pocket visitors and locals alike.
#3
The Board (1077 Mission St)
Once a deli sandwich lover, always a deli sandwich lover. That’s been the case for Adam Mesnick, owner of the popular Deli Board, whose meaty and monstrous creations draw a devoted following, as do his daily specials listed online. Mesnick’s new Central Market restaurant pays homage to those specialties that never found a permanent menu home. The new space will open for breakfast and lunch, and will have more room for diners who can order homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches that are simpler and less gargantuan (and therefore less pricey) versions of Mesnick’s signature sandos.
#4
International Smoke (301 Mission St)
Golden State Warrior Steph Curry isn’t the only all-star in the family. His wife, Food Network celebrity Ayesha Curry, teamed up with Chef Michael Mina to open International Smoke, a barbecue concept launched in November 2017. From American St. Louis-style ribs and braised beef short ribs to further afield specialties such as a Vietnamese pork chop, Thai shrimp chili, and Tokyo-style chicken karaage, the dishes are a passport to some of the word’s best interpretations of barbecue.
#5
Manufactory Food Hall (San Francisco Airport)
The International Terminal at SFO offers foodies a big inducement to check in early this summer when four beloved local chefs—Pim Techamuanvivit of Kin Khao, Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson of Tartine, and Gabriela Cámara of Cala—join forces to open the 3,000-square-foot Manufactory Food Hall in Boarding Area A. The fast-casual collaboration will feature grab-and-go bites such Tartine’s fresh sandwiches and salads, and their morning buns and seasonal tarts. Camara will bring a taste of her native Mexico City via breakfast tortas and her famous street Tacos Cala, while Techamuanvivit delivers tasty Thai specialties such as rice bowls and noodles to travelers. Bon voyage, indeed!
#6
Dumpling Time (11 Division St)
An instant hit when it opened, in no small part because of the xiao long bao (soup dumplings), Dumpling Time specializes in the pleated pillows popular with locals. Watch cooks hand make a variety of dumplings, including the Instagram-ready King-Dum, a grapefruit-sized soup dumpling served with a straw. The thin-skinned (in a good way) gyoza are delicious, too. Choose from a variety of fillings, from traditional pork and scallions to a surprising char-siu roasted pork belly with a touch of peanut butter found in the bao (steamed buns). A couple of noodle dishes round out the simple but satisfying menu.
Simple yet expansive, the authentic Spanish tapas menu is divided into hot and cold items that are substantial enough to make a mix-and-match meal, or be a nibble before the show, and are always just right for a meet up with friends.
#7
BarVale (661 Divisadero St)
Adriano Paganini’s Back of the House restaurant group might have 22 restaurants in its folio (including Super Duper, Belga, and Starbelly), but this is their first Spanish tapas concept. The airy dining spot transports diners to Spain, where the preferred dining style is grazing. Simple yet expansive, the authentic Spanish tapas menu is divided into hot and cold items that are substantial enough to make a mix-and-match meal, or be a nibble before the show, and are always just right for a meet up with friends. Wash them down with a selection of cocktails and Spanish wines.
#8
Ardiana (1781 Church St)
If you need proof that the third time’s the charm, head to Noe Valley where Chef Sharon Ardiana opened her eponymous (and third) restaurant in August 2017. With its massive oven and a solid know-how gleaned from her other restaurants (Regazza and Gialina), it’s no surprise that the pies here set the bar for pizza lovers. Making a good case for returning again and again are the menu’s Mediterranean and Italian small and large plates, such as the Di Stefano Burrata, Fuyu persimmons, and pistachio butter; roasted pepper-walnut dip with lemon oil and Greek yogurt; and lamb shoulder with couscous, oranges, dates and feta.
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