Modesto Restaurants

Farmerbrown

Address: 25 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Farmerbrown
$$
Farmerbrown dishes up Southern comfort food in a space that’s hip, young and sexy. It may be just the place to impress a date or out of town guests, as its off-the-radar location guarantees people will think you’re in-the-know about San Francisco’s dining scene. Don’t miss the Rocky Range Fried Chicken. And step up to the bar for some excellent Southern-infused cocktails served in mason jars. The fresh Mint Juleps and other luscious concoctions beg to be accompanied by fan-favorites like the Sweet Potato Steak Fries, or a plate of Jalapeno Corn Muffins with blueberry butter. Don’t forget to save …

SPQR

Address: 1911 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
SPQR
$$
With Rome-style cuisine and the atmosphere of a lively trattoria, a night at SPQR in the Pacific Heights neighborhood feels like a night in Rome. House-made semolina pastas, fresh vegetables, exotic cuts of meat, an all-Italian wine list, and plenty of Umbrian olive oil ensure that SPQR’s simple dishes are anything but ordinary. Executive Chef Nate Appleton, also of sister restaurant A16, serves the traditional ingredients and recipes that have made Rome an epicurean epicenter for thousands of years.

Pesce

Address: 2227 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Pesce
$$
Revel in an eating scene that encourages patrons to try new tastes and strengthen bonds by sharing plates, at Pesce. This Venetian cuisine-inspired restaurant relies on the freshest ingredients and high quality fish and meat to serve the equivalent of Spanish tapas with a varied Cicchetti menu of hot and cold dishes. These miniature entrees may be petite, but their flavor is anything but timid. The cold Cicchetti selection offers such delicacies as the Alici Bruschette (white anchovies, olives, and roasted peppers), while the hot menu hoasts the Tortino (a saffron risotto cake with Dungeness crab meat).

Spruce

Address: 3640 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94118
Spruce
$$$ Top 10 Special Offer
Simplicity is bliss: local ingredients, fresh flavors, and charming surroundings, converge to offer a truly blissful experience at Spruce. This communal watering hole encourages diners to dine, socialize, and relax, with the help of a menu that highlights the very best of contemporary American cuisine. The in-house temperature controlled curing room caters to the impressive charcuterie selection, and up to 80% of the produce used at any time may come from the restaurant’s own private farm. Savory delights include the Hot and Cold Foie Gras, the Buttered Main Lobster, and the Charred Berkshire Pork Tenderloin.

Terzo

Address: 3011 Steiner Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
Terzo
$$
Whether you’re joining friends for a great conversation over better bites and wine, or you’d like to savor an intimate moment with a fine meal, Terzo will surely accommodate. The elegant and vibrant dining space is home to a custom-made zinc bar, a communal wine-tasting table, and a variety of small party tables. The Pan-Mediterranean cuisine menu features small plates like the Seared Monterey Calamari and the Grilled Halloumi Cheese. Large plates include the Grilled Steelhead Salmon, the Grilled Organic Pork Chop, and the Linguine alla Carbonara. Some of the sweet treats are the Chocolate Chaud, the Fresh Ginger Cake, …

Tres

Address: 130 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Tres
$$
Take a holiday in Jalisco, Mexico – the birthplace of tequila – without so much as having to pack a hat. Tres Agaves Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Lounge serves regional, rustic cuisine that relies on authentic ingredients and techniques to create dishes true in presentation and flavor. Just as vital as the fine cuisine is Tres Agave’s commitment to fine tequila. As the restaurant’s name implies, the three types of 100% Blue Agave Tequila (Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo) are the true stars of this production. Tequila tastings are held to educate patrons about the true nature of tequila: the biggest …

The Village Pub

Address: 2697 Woodside Road, Woodside, CA 94062
The Village Pub
$$$
The Village Pub not only serves the appetite for food, but it also hopes to satisfy the entire being. Whether you’re looking to tread new ground, or you’re simply hoping to be greeted by the familiar, The Village Pub has the menu and character to keep you intrigued. Executive Chef Mark Sullivan constructs his contemporary American cuisine by drawing from classic French and Mediterranean traditions, and locally cultivated ingredients. The dinner menu highlights dishes like the Shaved Foie Gras Torchon, while the pub menu offers lighter fare – the Pork and Garlic Sausage is made in-house. The truly staggering wine …

Uva Enoteca

Address: 568 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
Uva Enoteca
$$
Order a spread of small, fresh, and tasty, dishes; opt for a quartino of wine to share with friends, and settle in to a relaxing evening at Uva Enoteca. Boris Nemchenok and Ben Hetzel have joined forces and combined their two passions – fine wine and food – to create an environment that celebrates simplicity, company, and quality. Paying homage to its roots, Uva Enoteca relies on classic Italian dishes and wine: meat selections include the Cappocollo, and the Prosciutto di Parma; cheese samplings include the Sampietrino, the Blu del monceniso, and the Montes; other plates are the Funghi Selvatici …

Fringale

Address: 570 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA 94947
Fringale
$$
Heralded as one of the best French bistros in the city, Fringale satisfies the urge to eat with a menu that prizes freshness and flavor. Sophistication and satisfaction are lovingly married by Chef de Cuisine Tripp Mauldin, who melds traditional French flavors with a modern aesthetic. The Dungeness Crab Napoleon is delightfully simple and artistic: crab, avocado, and a tomato confit, are layered in a structured tower of vibrant contrasting colors. The Seafood Basquaise lies at the other end of the food spectrum with its rustic presentation and flavors – the dish is bathed in a spicy roasted red pepper …

Sens Restaurant

Address: 4 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111
Sens Restaurant
$$
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.

Crustacean

Address: 1475 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Crustacean
$$ Top 10 Recommended Editor's Pick Outdoor Seating
Opened by the An family in 1991 following the success of their Vietnamese kitchen Thanh Long, Crustacean offers up-scale Euro-Asian fusion fare in an elegant fine dining setting. The menu follows Executive Chef Helene An's philosophy of turning fresh ingredients that are valued in Eastern medicine for their healing properties into simple, clean and refined dishes. Loyal customers have been returning for years for the secret family recipe for Garlic Noodles and Roasted Dungeness Crab. The sophisticated Asian decor in warm dark hues provides the appropriate setting to enjoy this homey yet sumptuous food. Located in the heart of Nob …

Insalata's

Address: 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960
Insalata's
$$ Special Offer
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.

Anchor and Hope

Address: 83 Minna Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Anchor and Hope
$$
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.

Miraglia Catering

Address: 2096 Burroughs Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94577
Miraglia Catering
$$$
Counting such diverse companies as the American Heart Association and Ghiradelli Chocolate among their extensive list of clients, Miraglia Catering has grown from a butcher’s hobby in 1948 to a hugely successful third-generation catering company. Manned by an on-call staff of over 100 described as “competent, efficient, and professional at all times,” Miraglia’s keeps up with current trends while providing exceptional service and provides fun, imaginative touches. Weddings and corporate functions are among their most popular events , but more affordable menu items, such as bento boxes and barbecue, are also available .

Ike's Place

Address: 3489 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
Ike's Place
$
Feeling dirty? Ike’s Place in the Castro is a sandwich shop with attitude and dirty sauce to boot. “Ike’s Dirty Secret Sauce,” a staple of all Ike’s specialty sandwiches, is among the many things that makes Ike’s Place so unique to San Francisco. Opened in 2007, this local sandwich joint bakes their bread fresh to order and piles on all the fixings for every jam-packed, fresh and filling sandwiches. Their extensive sandwich menu has delectable options for carnivores and herbivores alike, but it’s their attention to detail that makes Ike’s Place a local favorite in Fog City.

Osha Thai

Address: 2033 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
Osha Thai
$
Fans of Thai food living in San Francisco probably already know the name Osha Thai, and those who don't are missing out on a fun and delicious dining experience. While the restaurant may have locations all around town, the Osha Thai in Cow's Hollow represents everything that customers love about the eateries. It begins with a chic and modern design that is both comfortable and aesthetically intriguing, treating diners to exceptional sights as well as tastes. The accommodating bar area is a popular first stop for customers, as it serves a large list of beer, liquor, wine, and specialty cocktails …

Palomino

Address: 345 Spear Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Palomino
$$
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 …

Cha Cha Cha

Address: 1801 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
Cha Cha Cha
$$
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, …

Submarine Center

Address: 820 Ulloa Street, San Francisco, CA 94127
Submarine Center
$
For over 25 years, Submarine Center has been crisply toasting diners’ sandwiches in their shop on the little corner of West Portal. This restaurant offers three sizes of sandwiches to enjoy, ranging from Mini to Super. Hungry sandwich-goers get to watch the assembly of their meal and choose the bread, meat, cheese, and toppings. The inside of Submarine Center proudly shows off the owners’ pride in the 49ers, with football memorabilia hung all around the shop. With the options of eating in or taking it to-go, this sandwich shop is the go-to place for lunch on-the-go.

Maykadeh

Address: 470 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
Maykadeh
$$$
Maykadeh restaurant of North Beach expertly uses Persian spices in their cuisine to give their food an authentic taste. From Kebabs to Soltani, Maykadeh stays true to its heritage, even offering diners traditional desserts such as Pallodeh and Bastani, a traditional Persian ice cream. Maykadeh also features a Halal menu just as varied as the regular one. Classic white tablecloths and flawless presentation characterize the interior of this restaurant, making Maykadeh the ideal place to take a date. In addition to dining in options, this restaurant offers two different catering menus to help serve at any special event.