San Francisco Restaurants
Nestled in San Francisco’s neighborhoods are some of the best restaurants in the United States. And the readers of Bon Appetit magazine seem to agree, for 10 straight years they have voted the city the best when it comes to dining out. This, of course, comes as no surprise to San Franciscans who point to the diverse background and location of the city as major influences on its cuisine.The Best Catch in the City
San Francisco has some outstanding seafood restaurants and the Franciscan Crab restaurant is the pick of the litter. Located on Fisherman’s Wharf this San Francisco restaurant has towering 20-ft windows that give diners a breathtaking view of the bay and the infamous Alcatraz Island. The menu features mouth-watering favorites such as whole roasted Dungeness crabs (over two pounds!), iron skillet roasted mussels and fresh fish prepared in a variety of styles. Ana Mandara is also a favorite of tourists to the wharf discovered by many in a plethora of first timers guides to San Francisco. The menu emphasizes Vietnamese cooking and has scrumptious fare such as Pacific Sea bass cooked in a banana leaf and beef tenderloin with peppers and sweet onions. The interior of the restaurant is decorated with Vietnamese artifacts, pottery and carvings.
Voted Best by San Franciscans
For those intrepid travelers who want avoid the crowds of the wharf and head out in search of something a little different, San Franciscans swear by the following restaurants as some of the best in the city. Check out the Blue Plate restaurant on Mission Street, perfect for a late-night romantic dinner. The menu offers a delectable mix of surf and turf. You would be remiss if you didn’t try the house-smoked salmon or the coriander crusted lamb.
The Levende Lounge, also on Mission Street, is perfect for travelers who want a little excitement with their dining experience. This San Francisco restaurant routinely plays host to local and international DJs. The plates here can be described as “world-fusion” and the best way to approach the menu is by sampling as many different styles and tastes as you can. But for those who just want to dig into a main course, the filet mignon will certainly do! Served with a portabella mushroom and gold potatoes, the filet mignon is served sliced and smothered in a succulent caramelized onion-balsamic demi-glace.
Can’t Miss Asian-Inspired Cuisine
San Francisco, California is home to one of the largest Chinatowns in North America and is a major attraction. More tourists visit San Francisco’s Chinatown than they do the Golden Gate Bridge. Fortunately for those who visit the area, there are an abundance of restaurants that cater to the hoards of hungry travelers. Jai Yun, voted as one of the best Chinatown restaurants by the San Francisco Chronicle, frequently changes its menu according to which produce, meats and fish are available. Some of the favorites here include basil-mushroom stir-fry, foo yung abalone and quail soup. You’s Dim Sum is an excellent choice for those who want to eat well on a budget. The servers are a little less than helpful with the menu, but if you are accustomed to dim sum, you are sure to find some tasty options here.
San Francisco offers a limitless variety of foods. And for those intrepid travelers seeking to dig their teeth into something and exciting and different, there are a multitude of choices, each sure to satisfy your cravings. A little bit of research and planning goes a long way in finding that ideal San Francisco restaurant that you’ll be talking about forever.
