3 1/2 Stars

The past, present, and future, converge into one moment captured by the dramatic and stunning décor and the innovative cuisine of Circa. Chef Erik Hopfinger lends his experience and imagination to such dishes as the Lobster and White Truffle Mac-n-Cheese and the Buttermilk Battered Fried Chicken. The visual eloquence of Circa’s dining space was conceived by Michael Brennan, and he selected Neil Seth Levine’s artwork to encapsulate the restaurant’s theme of “a moment in time.” Vibrant flowers seem to burst into bloom right before diners’ eyes as they linger over tasteful bites, and savor moments soon to be lost… if …

Providing a lively backdrop for mingling with friends over cocktails, lingering over a romantic meal, or simply absorbing some live entertainment, First Crush aims to please. Intimate dinners and large parties alike are welcome, and encouraged to sample the many small plates, large entrees, and the staggering exclusively California-based wine list. Tickle your taste buds with petite samplings like the Baked “Crush” Salad and the Dungeness Crab Cake, and then commence the feast with the Pan Roasted Hawaiian Walu or the Crush “Kobe” Burger. Dining at First Crush begins with the same giddiness of its namesake experience but can easily …

Fish and Farm is a chic restaurant committed to the principles of the sustainability movement. The restaurant is dedicated to pleasing your palate with all-natural and organic, local ingredients and to composing fantastic interpretations of old favorites that have a distinctive freshness to them. By dubbing their work “New American Seafood and Artisan Meats,” the owners of Fish and Farm have attracted curious food connoisseurs from all walks of life. The energy and service at this devoted eatery is as zestful as its clientele. With all this in mind, Fish and Farm remains a must for locals and visitors alike.

Located just off San Francisco’s famous Lombard Street, Bistro Aix is bursting with new flavors .These organic dishes are created nightly using fresh ingredients from local growers. . Bistro Aix’s Californian twist on French Provencal food traditions present guests with a taste of this Northern region right here in California. The restaurant’s focus on olive oil and fresh organic products allows for unique menu flexibility and variety in which the chef’s versatility shines. Dishes are intriguing and invite diners to try an old favorite with a new age spin. Bistro Aix provides an intimate and simple and comfortable atmosphere in …

Catering to diners’ many tastes, appetites, and personalities, Le Zinc offers a menu and setting fit for a true Parisian retreat. Diners can prop their elbows against the zinc bar and enjoy a light snack and fine glass of wine, or settle in at a table for a long and leisurely meal. They can also catch up with friends, or make new ones, on the sun-lit patio. Come in for brunch and try the Crepes Au Chocolat; nibble on tapas selections like the Foie Gras de Canard; indulge in the evening with the Cassoulet Au Confit (duck leg confit).

Chef Dane Boryta of Sens Restaurant, combines traditional Mediterranean techniques, such as flatbread cooked in the restaurants wood-burning oven, with modern sensibilities, for instance Sens’ use of local, sustainably grown produce. Sens restaurant proudly features a Farmer's Market driven menu along with seasonally motivated, fruit inspired desserts from Pastry Chef Rebecca Morris. Sens’ décor effortlessly encourages a cozy and intimate dining experience. Large windows, stone and brick walls, rustic wood, earthenware plates and over-sized leather chairs recreate a classic Mediterranean experience that is further perpetuated by the restaurants excellently prepared cuisine.

Located on Pier 33, Butterfly hosts a view of San Francisco Bay that simply can’t be beat. With spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows, an open kitchen where Owner/Chef Robert Lam concocts his creations, and a large and airy dining room, there is no lack of visual stimulation here. The trendy, modern décor is perhaps most complimented by the vibrant art-work that adorns the walls and ceilings, all of which have been amassed from local artists. The Cal-Asian cuisine is nothing to scoff at either. The flavorful dishes reflect Chef Lam’s culinary background as well as his Vietnamese heritage.

Located in San Francisco's Hotel Vitale, Americano's menu is deeply rooted in Italian tradition. Using only market fresh ingredients, Chef Paul Arenstam entices diners with handmade pasta and bakers pies, while still showcasing locally grown, seasonal products. Americano is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner while also providing a trendy spot for an after work drink. The cocktail lounge's unique circular design coupled with the dynamic panoramic bay view creates a strikingly modern atmosphere. In contrast, the dining room's natural wood and dramatic arches create a comfortable and alluring dining atmosphere. Americano also provides an outdoor patio with a …

If you’re looking for new age American style cuisine with a comfortable neighborhood vibe that will transport you to various cities around the world, search no further than San Francisco’s Street. The restaurant takes each diner on a world tour or keeps them in their native town with classic American fare and new daily changing desserts. Street is known for their local fan base and for using ingredients from nearby farmers’ markets. Street offers everything from soup, salad, and pate to seafood, sirloin, and panna cotta. They also have a nightly cocktail hour full of savory and sweet wines and …

BayWolf Restaurant in Oakland has been one of the key players in creating and leading the Bay Area dining revolution for over 34 years because of the care, creativity, and inventive approach it takes to provide outstanding food in a relaxed setting. Their monthly menu specializes in French and Italian cuisine with a California attitude. BayWolf has always used local ingredients at their peak with a focus on wonderful duck preparations. The restaurant itself is a comfortable, old house whose modern art collection charms the dinner guests. BayWolf provides a memorable dining experience for romantic dinners as well as family …

Insalata is a gracious, comfortable restaurant that specializes in the genuine flavors and spices of the Mediterranean region. The complex Mediterranean food of Insalata has been made from locally sourced produce, meat, and poultry long before “locally sourced” was a standard of excellence in the restaurant industry. Owner Heidi Insalata Krahling became interested in food as a child in a food-intensive Italian family. She has expanded her Italian cooking heritage to include the cuisines of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures, and it is a wonderful adventure to dine at Insalata.

For a truly unique San Francisco experience, there are few options that offer a better example of California's cutting edge design and cuisine than at the Moss Room at the Academy of Science, in Golden Gate Park. Hidden below the museum like a rare gem is a restaurant dedicated to producing extraordinary cuisine with ingredients from local sources and a nod to classic French preparation. The dramatic dining room with its namesake living wall of moss and fern is an ideal choice for a dining destination unlike any other in the Bay Area.

The savory pork, fish, and vegetable dishes of Catalonian cuisine often aren't very well represented in the United States, which is unfortunate. However, San Francisco is lucky enough to host restaurants like B44 that not only present authentic dishes from Catalonia, but in true gourmet fashion. Located in Belden Place, B44 offers this unique style of food that has garnered acclaim from critics all over the world. At this authentic Catalonian eatery, guests will find flavorful seafood dishes like Cazuela, award-winning Arros Negre, and a wide selection of popular, creamy Catalonian desserts. Diners can enjoy fine dishes like these in …

Anchor and Hope isn't directly on the water, but its nautical atmosphere full of dock ropes, fishnets, and tribal fish wall paintings will make patrons feel like they are right on the wharf. Located in a renovated General Motors warehouse, this restaurant teems with sea life, both on the walls and in the kitchen. Watch the chefs work their magic from behind the counter just a few feet away from one of the many dining rows. Offering a range of both fish and regular meat, you can devour the freshest food that comes right out of San Francisco itself.

In need of a short vacation, romantic rendezvous, or a hip hang out? Head over to Amelie Le Bar a Vin on San Francisco’s Polk Street. This wine bar has a wine list that is 125 bottles strong and representative of a trip around the world. Their list also changes regularly in an effort to keep things fresh and exciting, however, they still hold on to a grouping of favorites. Amelie serves contemporary French cuisine along with an inventive list of cocktails and beers. The bar’s atmosphere is buzzing with the city’s energy while retaining that “neighborhood bar” feeling since …

Infused with the flavors and colors of the seasons, San Francisco’s Yield Wine Bar invites guests to come in and try something new. They believe in providing high quality dishes and wines that won’t break the bank. Yield’s cuisine is a contemporary American and Thai fusion. The menu is full of unique combinations and flavors sure to entice any palate and Yield’s knowledgeable staff is more than happy to recommend dishes and wine pairings. The ambiance is tranquil and romantic with a hint of excitement and complete with a chic decor. Yield is a great place to swing by for …

With unique dishes ranging from mini pumpkins filled with fall vegetables to passion fruit and lychee crème brulée, SpringLoaf Catering has already gained footing and exposure in San Francisco’s competitive culinary market. SpringLoaf Catering, operating since 2003, has been featured in prominent magazines such as Martha Stewart Weddings and San Francisco’s 7x7. With menu choices based on fresh, locally-sourced products, the company offers various ethnic food items such as Mediterranean, Latin, and Asian-inspired fare. The staff has a reputation for thoughtful, attentive service and SpringLoaf’s chefs customize each menu to fit their clients’ specific needs to make events special and …

At Palomino, guests can feel like they’re visiting the happiest place on earth. With a menu boasting “The Everyday Happy Hour,” Palomino’s suggests pairing their all day $5 drink specials with a special brand of upscale bar snacks such as Prosciutto Flatbread, Dungeness Crab and Artichoke Dip, and Potatoes Gorgonzola. Who can resist? Palomino serves up California style cuisine with a touch of something special. With selections for both lunch and dinner, patrons can drool over their signature entrée’s, steaks, pastas, and pizzas—more notably their Wild Mushroom, Cured Ham, and Goat Cheese Flatbread, a customer favorite. Located on San Francisco’s …

Manned by a staff devoted to quality, authenticity, and hospitality, Flour + Water embodies Old World expertise carried out in a casual and contemporary setting. Truly thoughtful design is not only behind the restaurant’s urban eclectic décor, but it’s also present in every ingredient that goes into each dish on the fine-tuned menu. The meats are cured in-house and the pizzas are served exclusively Neapolitan style. And as memorable as the pizza is, the in-house made pasta is another prize. Flour + Water also works hard to make wine accessible and inviting, pouring glasses of quality drink for all to …

Located in Haight-Asbury, San Francisco’s most colorful Historic district, lies a Tapas restaurant and bar that revolutionizes the marriage of healthy dining and intense flavor. Caribbean and Cajun flavors are staple of importance at Cha Cha Cha, a restaurant that can prove that eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to eat bland. Serving up spicy, hot dishes such as Lechon Asado (roast leg of pork), and Arroz Con Pollo (roasted chicken with spicy vegetables), guests can be introduced to new flavors as well as dine on classic flavors. With options for lunch and dinner as well as drinks and dessert, …