Where should I eat tonight? San Francisco's Ten Best Restaurants, 2013 Edition
The defining criterion for ranking remains "best food per dollar" -- the trait that in my view separates San Francisco from nearly all other great food cities, thanks to the bounty that surrounds us here in California and the demand for quality from those of us who eat here.
A few years ago, I would say that genuinely no restaurant in any great "food city" like New York or Paris could compete on food quality per dollar with San Francisco's best. However, thanks to the farm-to-table movement and an emphasis on local sourcing, many cities now offer great eating at reasonable prices. San Francisco remains the top (as in the best), and the leader (as in showing the way), in my view.
As many of you know, my motto is "Never waste a meal." If you "eat to live", this blog is not for you, and I'm not the dinner companion for you, either. If you live to eat, or at a minimum, hate to miss out on a chance to experience artistic, flavorful, fresh, thoughtful creations while enjoying good conversation, here's my take on the top ten places, here in the best place on earth to do so:
1. State Bird Provisions (Fillmore/Western Addition) -- Too bad it's the toughest table in the town, perhaps in the country, but you'll know why if you're willing to wait for a table (which you should). It will get better soon with the upcoming expansion, and they do take walk-ins, though you'll have to go elsewhere for a few hours while you wait for your turn. The creativity of the menu and model are only outdone by the artistry and tastiness of the food. Be warned, however: dessert will disappoint.
2. Bar at Redd (Yountville) -- Ever since my first time at the Bar at Redd, it has been at the top of my list. If I had to eat anywhere on this list every night of the week, this would be my choice. You can't find a better value. The tuna tartare, the fish tacos, and the burger just never miss.
3. Ad Hoc (Yountville) -- World's best fried chicken. That's all I need to say, except that it's available only every other Monday, unfortunately. If your timing isn't so lucky, worry not: everything else there is great, too!
4. The Chairman Food Truck (roving around SF and the Bay Area, check the Twitter account) -- This ain't just a food truck, people. This is absolutely incredible food. Find me something better to eat for $5 than their coca-cola braised pork steamed bun, and I'll treat you to a meal anywhere on this list.
5. Cotogna (Financial District) -- Cotogna has my favorite menu of any restaurant, anywhere. If it were easier to reserve a table, I'd be there hosting some out of town guest nearly every week. Awesome pizza, fantastic roasts, and some of the best pasta you'll ever eat.
6. Dopo (Oakland) -- Still the best neighborhood restaurant any neighborhood is lucky enough to have. Unfortunately, the world's best lasagne is only a rare menu item these days, but Dopo (and sister resto, Adesso) has the best salumi I've found anywhere. And the service beats places even five times more expensive.
7. Delfina (Mission) -- No longer the best Italian food in the Bay Area or even SF, Delfina is just so consistently good, you really can't go wrong. My meals there this past year have been even better than most prior years, so they're not losing any steam.
8. AQ (SOMA) -- Definitely one of my favorite new spots in SF, they may have taken artistry and farm-to-table to the highest level. Just exquisite food, fit for any foodie but not any wallet.
9. Fish (Sausalito) -- I think this is the first ever Marin County restaurant to register on The Ranker's top ten. Great outdoor seating with beautiful views, fantastically fresh fish, casual atmosphere.
10. Una Pizza Napoletana (SOMA) -- By far the most limited menu on this list, you can get pizza margherita and basically only pizza margherita at this place (yes, they do a pizza bianca and 3 versions of a margherita, but you aren't getting any pepperoni, no mushrooms, no anything). And yes, that means that pizza margherita is THAT GOOD.
The Next Five, just barely missing the Top Ten:
OK, target practice begins. Let me hear it.
