3 Essential Restaurants Representing San Francisco

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 100^th 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.

Casino Bar Negroni 1919. Beefeater Gin, Campari, Antica Formula, Orange Peel, Hand Cut Cube. A classic cocktail to start the evening at Tosca Cafe. Enjoy the properly crafted cocktails while selecting your plates for dinner

Crispy Pig Tails. A classic April Bloomfield plate. Offal, also known as innards, and pig parts are one of the specialties of Bloomfield. The deep fried tail pairs perfectly with your first round of cocktails and wine

Rigatoni with Chicken Livers, Sage, Balsamic Vinegar. One of my favorite pastas ever. The beauty of this dish is in its Filipino influence, from the dish adobo, which is vinegar and liver based. Bloomfield’s love of adobo resulted in this deeply flavored pasta

Tiramisu with Grated Orange Zest. When in San Francisco’s North Beach district, also known as Little Italy, you must finish an Italian meal of pastas and roasts with a slice of tiramisu, for the table or all for yourself

House “Cappuccino” 1919. Marie Duffau Bas Armagnac, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Dandelion Chocolate Ganache, Organic Milk. End the meal with the restaurant’s signature cocktail. Plus, the drink comes with its own Tosca Cafe Cappuccino coaster

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.

Vietnamese Crepe with Gulf shrimp, Pork Shoulder, Bean Sprout, and Yellow Onion. A classic Vietnamese dish that is even tastier at The Slanted Door. You can taste the quality of the ingredients and the expertise in the crispy crepe technique

Barbecued Willis Ranch Pork Spareribs with Scallions, Cilantro, and Honey-Hoisin sauce. Boldly-flavored pork spareribs nicely balanced with fresh herbs and an excellent plate to share with the table

Grass-fed Estancia Shaking Beef with 8 oz. Cubed Filet Mignon, Watercress, Red Onion, and Lime Sauce. A classic dish from The Slanted Door. When the restaurant began its popularity, this is one of the signature dishes seen on every table

Cellophane Noodles with Green Onion, Dungeness Crab, and Sesame. Another classic of the restaurant and the use of Dungeness crab stamps this dish as a must-order when in San Francisco. The taste of the crab runs deep in every bite

Caramelized Catfish Claypot with Cilantro, Ginger, and Thai Chili. A classic Vietnamese dish that is best eaten with steamed rice. The warmth of the clay pot, deep caramelization of the fish, and bright herbs make this a perfect light, yet comforting dish

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.

Hog Island Sweet Oyster, Spicy Kohirabi Kraut, and Sesame. Start the evening with local oysters dressed with Asian flavors and textures to balance and contrast the fresh sweetness of the plump oyster

Duck Liver Mousse with Almond Biscuit. Not only do they cook well, the baked products are incredible. The light, chewy texture of the biscuit is delightful as the bite has a savory contrast with the smooth, creamy duck liver mousse

Chanterelle Toast. Boldly seasoned chanterelle mushrooms over crunchy toast. The seasoning of the mushrooms brings out the depth of the mushroom taste. Another great dish for the table, especially for mushroom lovers

Garlic Bread with Burrata. A State Bird Provisions classic. The chewy, fluffiness of the bread is the best part of this dish. Plus, the freshness and clean, quality of burrata cheese is the perfect accompaniment

CA State Bird with Provisions. The restaurant’s namesake dish. The state bird, the California quail, deep-fried in a batter. The best part of quail is eating the legs while holding the tiny bones

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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Angela

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7 years ago

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