The Best of the City
Today’s San Francisco food scene is not at all about pretentious tasting menus in fine dining restaurants. The city’s best restaurants redefine good eating. Casual, relaxed, unpretentious, vibrant, beautifully refined and globally inspired creations.
Here are 3 essential restaurants representing today’s San Francisco:
Tosca Cafe
A San Francisco legend approaching its 100th year anniversary, Tosca Cafe originally opened in 1919 and has been a classic hotspot for locals, politicians, and celebrities for decades. The restaurant revitalized its presence in the San Francisco dining scene when April Bloomfield took over the restaurant in 2014 with her New York team from The Spotted Pig and The Breslin.
In the 80s, Sean Penn and Johnny Depp would frequent restaurant’s bar scene. Today, Jay Z and Beyoncé are known to go straight to the private backroom when they are in town for performances. It is the chef, her team, and the quality of the food and drink that bring locals and celebrities coming back again and again.
It is the chef, her team, and the quality of the comfort food and drinks which are consistent and properly polished that bring locals and celebrities coming back again and again to this legendary San Francisco establishment.
Tosca Cafe
242 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, California
+1-415-986-9651
5pm to 2am
The Slanted Door
Originally a casual modern Vietnamese joint in the Mission District (pre-trendy hipsters), The Slanted Door rose in popularity after Chelsea Clinton, then a college student frequented the place and eventually brought her father, then president.
The restaurant by Charles Phan grew not just in success but also in its size as it moved to various locations to accommodate the growing demand. Today, it is located in the food lovers heaven, The Ferry Building.
While on the pricey side, especially for Vietnamese cuisine, you feel the value after tasting the high quality of ingredients, the presentation of the plating, the tasteful decor, the proper training and education of the waiters, and the prime view from within The Ferry Building. Best of all, The Slanted Door always delivers on consistency.
The Slanted Door
Ferry Building
San Francisco, California
+1-415-861-8032
Monday to Saturday, 11am to 2:30pm and 5:30pm to 10pm
Sunday, 11:30am to 3pm and 5:30pm to 10pm
State Bird Provisions
One of San Francisco’s hottest restaurants with high critical acclaim and endless raves from locals. State Bird Provisions is a breath of fresh air from the usual dining scene with its small plates taking influence from around the world.
Husband and wife team, Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinki, are Bay Area locals who proudly serve dishes representing today’s San Francisco. The small plates and family-style dining completely earn its Michelin star. You can order from the menu and pick plates from the dim sum-style carts.
The dining experiences parallel Spain’s modern tapas bars and Japan’s finest izakaya restaurants. State Bird Provisions successfully brings the beauty of the world onto the gorgeously crafted plates.
State Bird Provisions
1529 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, California
+1-415-795-1272
Sunday to Thursday, 5:30pm to 10pm
Friday and Saturday, 5:30pm to 11pm
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