San Francisco, California:

Performance Art and Museums:

Smuin Ballet:  www.smuinballet.org — Darren Anderson is our favorite dancer!  He is now retired but plays a pivotal role in the company managing all marketing events!

San Francisco Ballet:  www.sfballet.org  — Yuan-Yuan Tan is an amazing dancer!!

San Francisco Opera:  www.sfopera.org  — presents Nicola Luisotti (conductor) and the SF Opera Orchestra. 

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art : www.sfmoma.org

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Restaurants:

Gary Danko www.garydanko.com: Haute cuisine at its best!! Rated top SF restaurant by Michelin and Zagat for years for its service, atmosphere, food and wine list!!  Remember to call 30-60 days in advance for a reservation. ($$$$, Russian Hill, American)

 

Big 4:  www.huntingtonhotel.com — (Scheduled to reopen 2025) This is a hidden gem in San Francisco.  Best venue for Sunday brunch or a relaxing evening in their piano bar.  Grab a seat at the bar, order your favorite cocktail and their chicken-pot pie!  You will not be disappointed!!  Tye makes an amazing Brandy Alexander.  The patrons are the nicest in the city who come to unwind and discuss local politics. ($$$, Nob Hill, American)

 

SPQR: (www.spqrsf.com):  Chef Matthew Accarrino (formally with Per Se) is shaking things up on the Fillmore!  This Roman-inspired osteria is a gem with a very creative take on Italian cuisine that engages all the senses. It’s located in a small, intimate dining room that’s jam pack every night!  Despite the Michelin star, the servers are engaging, unpretentious and offer very good wine pairing choices.  Chef Accarrino is on the premises most night.  Consistently delicious and truly affordable for the quality!!  Trust me, you will fall.in.love!! Try your luck on OpenTable and if they have a 8:30 Friday reservation — grab it, now!! ($$$, Fillmore, Italian)

 

Cotogna: (www.cotognasf.com):  You know you’re at the right place when you get to the front door and you think the place might be on fire!  Welcome to Cotogna (Italian for “quince”).  Request to sit at the chef’s bar to pick up a few cooking pointers and watch them turn out pizzas after pizzas!  Absolutely love their wine list (all bottles $40 or $10 a glass) that showcases all Italian wines from different regions.  Quince (their fancier sister restaurant) is right next door and actually shares the same kitchen.  If you happen to be in the North Beach/Jackson square area, you must stop by Cotogna; even if you have to place your name on the walk-in wait list.  Have a drink at Quince while you wait and your golden!!  ($$, Financial District, Italian)

 

Sociale:  www.sfsociale.com — all-time favorite restaurant for lunch!  Sip on a pinot grigio and David, restaurant manager, will take care of you!!  ($$, Presidio, Italian)

 

Ristorante Milano (www.milanosf.com):  Casual Italian restaurant in the Russian Hill district.  All their dishes are phenomenal, but hands down, they have the best grilled calamari salad on the planet!  It’s a must-try-before-you-die dish!  Call ahead to make sure it’s on the menu.  ($$, Russian Hill, Italian)

 

Other favorite restaurants in San Francisco:

**Beretta www.berettasf.com ($$, Mission, Italian) — swanky and hip restaurant in the Mission

**Delfina www.delfinasf.com ($$, Mission, Italian) — can’t go wrong with their amazing selection of fresh pasta

**Foreign Cinema www.foreigncinema.com ($$, Mission, American) — classic movie and dinner anyone?  fancy farm-to-table experience in the smack-middle of the mission!
**Locanda www.locoandasf.com ($$, Mission, Italian) — if Beretta and Delfina can’t accommodate you, try your luck at Locanda!
**Ryoko’s www.ryokos.com ($$, Tenderloin, Sushi Bar) – you might mistake this place for a club since there is always a line outside; inside is lively, hip with fresh sushi flown in from Japan; open till 2am with a DJ spinning most nights.
**Saha www.sahasf.com ($$, Tenderloin, Middle Eastern) — if you want to tease your palate, come to Saha!! 

**Spinnakers www.thespinnaker.com ($$, Sausalito, American) — best spot for a romantic evening or brunch with your parents; you should always reserve the corner table for a panoramic view of the bay (Sausalito, Angel Island, Belvedere, Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge).

 

What are your favorite restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area??