SF Restaurant Faves

Being in the food and wine business, I am constantly asked for my favorites. During the summer, with many people coming into town, I got this question almost daily. Here's what I've been telling people:

• Dosa - Great Indian food with an adventurous wine list in a fun atmosphere.

• Piperade - Love the authentic flavors of this restaurant. Order the cheese/ham terrine..... insane! It is salty, creamy, crispy... just divine.

• Perbacco - A talented chef, who is also just the nicest, begets the best food and best service. Top down.... you have heard the phrase but so true here.

• Tadich Grill - SF tradition. Sit at the bar and order shellfish and a martini. Love the wait staff here: they are sooo no-nonsense.

• La Taqueria - Everyone needs favorite cheap places to eat. Order the carnitas quesadilla with salsa (flour tortilla).

• Rich Table - The vershizzle! Amazing and creative.

• Boxing Room - Love the low-key vibe, solid southern food with fantastic wines by the glass.

• Bar Tartine - This place inspires me—the food, the wine. Also, quite affordable.

• Nopa - Great city vibe, great owners, great food, great bar scene, great wine list.

• Nopalito - Same owners as Nopa.. love them! Authentic Mexican food without making it

precious. Takes traditional and makes it their own. A gourmands dream!

• A16 - Again, incredibly nice owners... Top-down people!!! Talent, authenticity, fabulous food, and a wine list that has me going back.

• Delfina - Solid staple in the restaurant scene and it never disappoints. Inspired food, no fuss, great wine list.

• Boulevard - Another solid staple in SF. Much prefer this Nancy Oakes place over Prospect. I always forget about it, and then when we go back I wonder why we don’t go there more often.

• Cotogna - Creative, affordable, inspired, with a fun wine list.

• House of Prime Rib - Best steak restaurant ever! This is a machine, managed well and delivering consistent tasty meat with great service. I also like that the wine markup is not super aggressive here.

• Piccino - New find... you can find parking here and it's authentic (again, without getting precious). Great wine list too!

Of course I have more, but these are my “go to” faves.