Fun flavors. For an operation that serves bacon donuts, the results can be surprisingly restrained, neither too sweet or oily. Was told to come at opening (7am Tues- Sat, 9am Sub) if I wanted the freshly fried ones.

Want to go for ramen! Photo via @elmardc (Instagram)

Want to go. Tori paitan desho.

A wander down the backstreets of Chinatown yields good fortune for your palate. Brandon Jew's California-influenced Chinese menu (with both à la carte and banquet options) is phenomenally delicious. The space is a beautiful reinvention of a building that's housed some hallowed restaurants since the 19th century.

Want to go. Michael says "phenomenally delicious."

Great affordable spot for organic Thai chicken & rice. The chicken broth is killer!

Want to go. Organic Thai chicken and rice?!

There's a Bi-Rite trip for every experience. To grab beer before a BYOB dinner (beverage guru Tom has never led me astray). Or a sandwich for lunch at Alamo Square (a hot RBC is the way to go). Or cookies and milk for a late night treat (St. Benoit milk is what you need). It's expensive and absolutely a result of gentrification, but it's also delicious and fun and oftentimes exactly what I need.

If I'm meeting someone in SOMA, it's likely here. Good coffee, sometimes hard to find seating.

Above all, fun. Fantastic wines including a few Rieslings with some age on them. Best dishes tend to be the less sexy ones.

Want to go. Cantonese Lyft driver with dim sum chef father said its his favorite, better than Koi Palace.

Feels like the culmination of dining as theater. The pre-dinner drinks and snacks upstairs are a lot of fun as well as an ingenious way to maintain the flow of the kitchen. The many, many components of each dish are announced by the cooks before each course, and it's a good thing because these dishes were obviously so thoughtfully and meticulously crafted. Wines were a highlight, all unique and delivered with the enthusiastic verve of a young and excited sommelier. A truly enjoyable and unique experience.

A classic spot for Mexican fixings, including multiple kinds of masa to make your own tortillas. Fond memories of Tina Dang bringing La Palma up to Hattery for tacos on Fridays.

Chilaquiles strike the just perfect balance between drenched with salsa verde and satisfyingly crunchy. So happy it's in my neighborhood so I can explore more of its offerings.

Classic diner. The cookies and cream milkshake hits the spot.

Dim lighting and cocktails in a historic hotel. Good for a date when not too crowded.

Another beautiful bar from the Future Bars crew. Complex cocktails, well executed.

Sherry Cobbler is a (sweet) showstopper of blended sherries. Worth deep diving into the menu.

Want to go. New upscale/avant garde dim sum from the Koi Palace. Turns into hot pot restaurant at night (hot pots at Koi Palace were supposed to be quite good).

Stunning landmark in Nob Hill, worth visiting for the architecture and the labyrinth inside. They also host donation-based yoga on Tuesdays at 6pm - #onlyinSF. Via Chelsea Rustrum.

Want to go. Yoga on Tuesdays at 6.

Beautiful space, want to try their coffee tonic. Photo via Tasting Table/Stacy Adimando

Nice baristas. Small but always room to sit. Tonic/espresso drink is weirdly compelling.

If it's Saturday afternoon, and you need a cocktail downtown, this is the place. Friendly staff, large bar.

Great place for a quick pastry and a coffee. The fig newtons are buttery, brightly fruity masterpieces. (17 Feb 2015)

One of the most enjoyable brunches in town. Outside of the favorable logistics (reservations available, easy payment through OpenTable), it's got the basics down. Food is beautifully prepared and a testament to the power of keeping it simple (if others managed to fry dough as well as Piccino prepares their zeppole, I'd be a much fatter man). Service is young, tall, and friendly. Room is light, open, and relaxed. (17 Feb 2015)

Downtown brunch with zero wait and a burger with a lot going for it. Most other burgers in the city would be improved if placed on the brioche bun at Klyde.

Want to go back. Thai Lyft driver says to get fried mackerel and shrimp paste plate and sour curry.

Great brunch spot with SF-worthy 2 hour wait. Big portions. "The Plow" is an incredibly well-rounded mountain of eggs, meat, potatoes, and lemon ricotta pancakes. Bonus: their "biscuit" is actually a delicious scone.

Love the papaya salad. I find myself thinking about the khao soi gai a lot.

Want to go.

Want to go.

Still the standard-bearer of the SF cocktail scene. Speakeasy with sign that reads ‘Anti-Saloon League’ outside. Password for the library is ‘books’; password for seated area (reservation required) changes nightly.

Want to go. Having loved cocktails at pretty much all their other establishments, it's irksome that I haven't been to the mothership.

Want to go. Everyone has to agree on the same 6 courses. $65. Wines look good.

For when you're craving the unique punishment of a chili-laden meal of Sichuan specialties.

Famed Tony's by-the-slice operation

Large slices of crispy chewy good ol' American pizza. Delicious and easy. Outdoor seating and a park nearby.

The friendliest Chinese restaurant I've been to. Every request is accommodated. Multiple TVs if you're in the mood for a sports game (they turn on the sound if you ask). Solid Szechuan specialties.

The unpretentious watering hole for many local businesses, much of which are ad agencies. Friendly staff. Cheap beer and a bar burger that has fulfilled many a craving (get it with the fried egg and aged cheddar). Remarkable for the memories.

Great curry rice. Want to try more ramen varieties.

Great Italian-inspired cooking, cozy neighborhood feel.

Want to go.

Old school temple to prime rib. Go with a group of carnivores and get your meat on. Yorkshire pudding is incredible, salad is frightening. Do not bring vegetarians.

Want to go.

What hasn't even said about Nopa? Drinks and food are great. Love that it's approachable food grounded in America but interesting enough to keep me guessing. That I can eat this well this late is absurd.

Want to dim sum.

Want to go back.

Want to go.

Thai specialty market; I hear selection and freshness varies but should be a good option for ingredients like kaffir lime leaves, galangal, green papaya, and chilies.

Want to go for Thai ingredients.

Nepali food. Momos. Some super interesting menu items. Love the black chickpeas.

It's good Chinese in the Castro. THERE'S GOOD CHINESE IN THE CASTRO.

Burger makes up for its small size with its beefiness.

One time, I told the woman at the register that these were God's burgers. She was a little weirded out, but I stand by my assessment.

Want to go back. It's been years and the panzanella is calling me.

How cute is this place? California only wine. Roughly the size of a shoebox. Great fun.

Chicken wings as candy. Aggressively, deeply fried. Perfect for when I really want to let myself go.

Want to go. Loved peko peko.

I can work here for hours on end and even get outside food delivered. Staff are super cool about it.

Mapo tofu, water boiled fish, chicken bits under pepper mountain.

Want to go. So badly. Why are you always closed?

Shrimp and grits were great. Prepare for the coma.

Solid banh mi for less than $4. Be prepared for a line, or phone in your order ahead of time.

Favorite $4 lunch in the city.

Simultaneously whimsical and thoughtful, complex and rustic. Frances isn't just my ideal neighborhood restaurant, it's where I go when I want to be inspired by food again.