RT Bistro crab. Photo by Virginia Miller. Since Rich Table opened in 2012, I named it a top new restaurant and it has remained one of San Francisco — and the nation’s — best ever since. I was baffled as it ridiculously lost its multi-year Michelin star in 2021, though they’ve topped many “best” lists and been James Beard-nominated. At… Read more →
Wolfsbane snacks/amuse bouche. Photo by Virginia Miller. These two new tasting menu restaurants are already playing for keeps, the kind of places that would fit right in on 50 Best or Michelin lists. They also are my number one and number two new restaurants of 2025, respectively. My full top 12 restaurants and bars here. Wolfsbane Is Immediately Firing On… Read more →
Shuggie’s front dining room. Photo by Virginia Miller. Truthfully, San Francisco never stopped being fun, but these four restaurants are next-level. Two are brand new, one is recently remodeled and reborn, the other opened January 2025. All are whimsical, even funky, sometimes brazenly colorful and daringly flavorful. Chicken Fried Palace. Photo by Virginia Miller. If Waffle House Were Gourmet: Chicken… Read more →
Eos & Nyx mezze/dips. Photo by Virginia Miller. For 24 years, I’ve been exploring and writing about the Bay Area’s Peninsula — including but not minimized to the moniker Silicon Valley. San Mateo County can suffer from suburban malaise and mediocrity when it comes to restaurant standards, especially compared to the dense, world-class glories of nearby San Francisco. But this… Read more →
Five are new-er, two are celebrating two or twenty years, from killer Laotian food or Italian comfort to Tatarstan Russian food. These seven are worth visiting. Last month’s standouts here. As always, I’ve personally vetted and visited each: Mattina canederli. Photo by Virginia Miller. Cal-Italian, All-Day Neighborhood Joys: Mattina, Pacific HeightsSince 2007, SPQR is one of the nation’s great pasta… Read more →
Large portions. Midwest comfort food with California freshness. A badass playlist from a co-owner who doubles as DJ. A cozy, packed neighborhood spot that has drawn crowds since it opened. This is husband-wife Caroline and Parker Brown’s new Side A in the beloved (for 27 years!) Universal Café space in San Francisco’s Mission district. And it is special: Read more →
Reviewed in this article:
—Modern Afghani Gamechanger: Jaji, Oakland
—Next-Level Sports Bar (and I’m Not into sports): Splash
—Ferry Building’s Latest Delights: Lunette, El Porteno, Ocean Malasadas
—Honduran-Yucatecan Heartwarmer: Catrachita Yucateca
—Glitzy Korean Steakhouse: AB Steak
—New Vegetarian Dishes Delight: Tiya
—14 & (Still) Fabulous: State Bird Provisions
—Tiny Cajun & Creole Go-to on The Hill: Po’Boy’s Kitchen Read more →
These newcomers or new menus cover the gamut, from Peruvian to pizza. Alongside my latest restaurant reviews, these seven are also worth visiting: Read more →
San Francisco is blessed with some of the oldest and most storied restaurants in the nation, alongside historic dining leaders like New Orleans. Our 1800s through mid-century restaurants often veer seafood-heavy, one of our city’s strengths, past and present, given our sea and Bay, water-on-three-sides location. Here are four restaurant legends, decidedly old school but still well worth visiting and celebrating, dating from 1965 back to 1849. Read more →
In this article:
—Steakhouse Extraordinaire: Niku Steakhouse, SoMa/Design District
—Playful, Modern Soul Food: Burdell, Oakland
—Thai Noodle Love: Khao Soi Shop Pop-Up at Nari, Japantown
—Michelin-Recommended Abura Soba Noodles: Kajiken, San Mateo Read more →