Flagstaff Restaurants

Monetta White grew up in the Fillmore district during its jazz heyday, when it was known as “The Harlem of the West”. As she grew older, she saw the area’s decline and wanted to give back to the neighborhood that helped shape her. With the opening of their San Francisco restaurant in 2008, she and her husband, executive chef David Lawrence, made it happen. 1300 on Fillmore's jazzy, 1930's theme is very relaxed and entertaining, and its soulful American cuisine makes you feel right at home.

Classic Roman Italian cuisine is balanced against the modern and sleek setting of Chiaroscuro Ristorante’s dining space, and reflects an artistic appreciation for contrasting visual elements that bring life to otherwise two-dimensional spaces. Chef Alessandro Campitelli ensures that his dishes are anything but flat by combining flavorful and fresh ingredients to compose specialties like the Tagliolini All’Amatriciana, homemade pasta mixed with caramelized onions, imported guanciale tomatoes, and romano cheese, and the Abbacchio Alla Griglia, grilled Australian lamb served with a polenta soufflé topped with a baked egg and gorgonzola cheese.

While traditional, classic, Italian cuisine has been a hit with diners all over the world for centuries, the owners and chefs at È Tutto Qua strive to infuse cutting edge recipes and techniques from Rome into their menu. Located in the heart of North Beach, È Tutto Qua does an excellent job keeping up with the latest trends in Italy, but the focus is always on quality ingredients and superb service. Meats and fish arrive fresh daily, pasta is made in-house from scratch, and many ingredients aren't added to your dish until right before it heads to your table. Knowing …

No matter that Chouquet’s was not intended to be the next big thing; it took off just the same. Chef Laurent Guillaume’s ability to meld old and new flavors into delightful light dishes; the service staff’s attentive and unpretentious care; and the stylish dining space meant to compliment, not distract from, the food, all converged to give Chouquet’s the attention it deserves. Brunch is offered on the weekends in place of the weekday lunch menu, and dinner is served nightly – the Effigham Oysters are seductive mignonette mint and shallots; and the Rigatoni with truffles, chanterelles, and foie gras is …

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 …

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).

When gazing in awe down at the plate before them, many diners at Luce are tempted to ask, “Does art imitate food, or is my meal multitasking as a masterpiece?” The answer to both questions might just be, “yes.” Patrons’ appetites and imaginations are stimulated by Chef Dominique Crenn’s artful constructs that marry the best aspects of local, regional, and international, ingredients to create thoughtful and flavorful dishes. The highly refined and modern décor only contributes to the dining experience, and encourages visitors to make the connection between the orb-like lamps and the Chocolate “Egg,” with hot coco and cookies.

In its new space on Divisadero at Grove, Bar Crudo is a bustling restaurant reminiscent of a hip loft. The focus of the sparse and well-chosen menu is raw fish infused with creative sauces and garnishes with not a grain of sushi rice in sight. There are a few well-executed cooked fish and seafood dishes as well. If you hunger for thick steaks and mounds of buttered carbohydrates, Bar Crudo is not for you. If your dreams, however, are of Butterfish accented with Meyer lemon tapenade or Arctic Char with a drop of horse radish cream, don’t let its overwhelming …

A Cote restaurant is symbolic of Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood--cozy, friendly, and inviting. Jack and Daphne Knowles planned it that way, and their careful choices are reflected not only in the decor, but in the food and atmosphere. Everything in this restaurant reinforces the idea of intimacy, from the family style dishes to the wood fired oven in the open kitchen. Their Mediterranean cuisine is perfect for an intimate dinner for two, or for an after work bite with coworkers after a hard day. This is definitely a place to fill your belly and ease your mind.

Set in an old transformed warehouse in SoMa, just a mere block from the Moscone Convention Center, Restaurant Lulu evokes the feeling of being in Provence while still staying true to its urban cityscape. Most notably recognized for its wine selection, this French eatery boasts a selection of 500 bottles and over 70 wines by the glass from all around the world, and a slew of awards from Wine Spectator. The seasonal Provençal menu is served family-style on rustic blond wood tables, the bold flavors of the food the ideal complement to the colorful and contemporary space it occupies.

If you’re searching for contemporary American fare, look no further than the Salt House. This tavern is housed in an old printing press warehouse from the 1930’s and is equal parts new and old, merging the best of both. The building stays true to its historic charm with original hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, tall ceilings with massive metal support beams, and 12 foot windows—all the better to look in or out of. Salt House is more than just an impressive space though, and true to its “gastropub” label, serves up hearty yet refined ingredient-driven cuisine in a tavern-like atmosphere.

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 …

Well worth the detour, this stylish neighborhood eatery is tucked away on a tree-lined block in Russian Hill. Run “mom and pop” style, owner/chef Ben de Vries reigns over the kitchen while his wife, Rachel Lewis de Vries, oversees the dimly lit dining room. Hues of green and rust wash over everything from the walls to smaller accents such as the hanging drum-shaped lamps, giving the busy interior a warm and soothing ambiance. The rotating Mediterranean-inspired menu highlights the season’s freshest ingredients, and boasts specialties such as the Coca-Cola Braised Pork Shoulder and Strawberry and Crème Fraîche Tart with red …

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.

This gem of the San Mateo coast sparkles with the numerous honors and awards it has enjoyed throughout the years. Fresh, authentic, and intriguing Mediterranean fare is served up in an equally fresh and intriguing dining space. Rich earth tones bath the walls, and flowing panels drape down from the ceiling to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Similarly, the menu entices patrons with culinary delights that span the entire Mediterranean region. The Tunisian Kaskasu Bi’l Lahm is a slow-braised Victory Ranch lamb sholder, and the Manti is a Turkish dish of house-made dumplings. There is much to explore and …

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 …

La Mar cebicheria peruana gains its inspiration from the thousands of cebicherias that can be discovered throughout Peru. This restaurant, located at Pier 1.5 on The Embarcadero, manages to preserve the proud traditions of Peru while still sharing the nation’s cuisine with San Francisco. Authenticity is of the utmost importance to Chef Gaston Acurio. This immensely popular chef encourages his guests to discover and enjoy the many pleasures of Peruvian fare. La Mar offers 7 different cebiches, tiraditos, causas, empanadas peruanas y fritos, anticuchos and several Peruvian classic entrees. This 11,000 square foot restaurant also specializes in the spirit pisco …

Charleston She-Crab Soup, Buttermilk Southern Fried Chicken, “Low & Slow” Barbequed Ribs, Carolina Plantation Hoppin’ John and Low Country Shrimp and Grits, all served with complimentary golden corn bread and whipped honey butter. Couple this extraordinary menu with a comprehensive Bourbon selection and you have Oakland’s Picán restaurant. Situated in Oakland’s “Uptown” cultural district, this culinary gem brings the traditions of the Deep South to California. Classic standards are served with a sophisticated twist, allowing diners to experience truly tantalizing dishes with rich and hearty flavors. The restaurant offers both small and large plates that celebrate and accentuate customary Southern …