Just off 24th Street in the Mission District lives a very unconventional ice cream shop. At Humphry Slocombe you’ll find flavors like Foie Gras, McEvoy Olive Oil, Peanut Butter Curry, Sea Salt, Balsamic Caramel, Creme Fraiche, and Guinness Gingerbread just to name a few. For more prudish palettes, Humphry Slocombe also makes more conventional flavors like Blue Bottle Vietnamese Coffee, Maple Walnut, Peppermint and Vanilla Chip. For those seeking something sans any dairy, their diverse selection of Sorbets and Sherbets hit the spot.

All their varieties are made with Straus Organic Dairy and they use natural, organic ingredients when ever possible. Flavors rotate often and they usually carry between 10 and 12 of them at a time. The menu also includes some house specialty sundaes, brownies, ice cream sandwiches, and bacon peanut brittle. |Humphry Slocombe|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 12pm – 9pm
Cash Only

Quite possibly the oldest saloon established in San Francisco, the Old Ship Saloon is a Jackson Square landmark that’s been in business since the three-masted boat named the Arkansas was beached here back in 1851. At inception, a door was merely cut directly into the hull of the boat to convert the ship into an ale house. Over time the ship was replaced with a brick and mortar building that functioned as a hotel, which still operated the Old Ship Saloon in a barroom on the ground floor.

The Old Ship Saloon is a popular place for the Financial District work crowd to stop in for lunch and is often filled with patrons having drinks following a long day at the office. I love the classic look of the exposed brick and black trim interior, the nautical design touches, and the large front windows that offer diners a view of the Pyramid building. The menu is a mix of fried foods, salads and chili, but their specialty would have to be their selection of customizable burgers and sandwiches. |Old Ship Saloon|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 11:30am – 3pm, 4:30pm – 12am,
Kitchen closes at 9pm
Sat-Sun: Closed

Prior to the arrival of Kasa Indian Eatery, options for healthy, freshly prepared Indian cuisine in the Marina were scant to say the least. Unlike other Indian restaurants in the city that exude a more ethnic ambiance, I was a bit surprised to see a modern interior space that feels like the Indian version of an upscale quick service restaurant. From the polished stainless-steel kitchen surfaces, industrial coated concrete floors, to the loft-like feeling of the space, the interior is miles from what one may have grown accustomed to when dining Indian.

Specializing in homestyle Indian food, the menu is split between Kati rolls (similar to a taco) and Thali, which features multiple menu items served on a traditional metal platter. Both choices include their handmade roti, which is similar to a buttery tortilla. Dishes include Chicken Tikka, Chicken Tikka Marsala, Lamb Curry, Kebabs, and various vegetarian options. In addition to these menu options, the Thali platter is served with chutney, raita (yogurt), a veggie salad, and daal (lentils). Just be wary of the green pickled pepper relish for it packs a punch. Best of all, Kasa is open late on Fridays and Saturdays, offering a healthier and more tasty option for late-night food than pizza and hot dogs. Delivery is available after 6pm every night. |Kasa Indian Eatery|

Hours of Operation:
Sun-Thurs: 11am – 10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am – 2:30am

Situated amongst the clusters of chic boutiques that dot this busy stretch of Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights, one could easily make the mistake of walking past this charming Italian restaurant with its unassuming black exterior and matching black awning. The name SPQR, which is an acronym for Senatus Populesque Romanus, and translates to “The People and Senate of Rome”, should explain its menu of rustic Italian dishes and great selection of Italian wines.

|Chef Matthew Accarrino| and his team have been hard at work, creating a diverse menu of dishes that change seasonally to showcase the best local ingredients. Much time and care goes into every dish, preparing everything including their pastas from scratch. Pretty impressive feat considering the staff can serve so many people every evening and still produce amazing food from its compact open kitchen. It’s often you’ll find owner |Shelley Lindgren| working the front of house as the wine director, and she is a great resource for wine paring recommendations. With friendly and professional service, coupled with delicious and sophisticated Italian fare, it’s no surprise this place is packed every night. Advanced reservations can be booked via their web site and are highly recommended, unless you are fine with possibility of eating at the bar/chef’s counter. |SPQR|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sat: 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Sun: 5:30pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun Brunch: 11am – 2:30pm

Named after the natural stimulant that is quite popular in Southeast Asia, Betelnut’s menu of contemporary Asian dishes and selection of crafted cocktails may evoke a similar reaction of mild hot sensations in the body and slightly heightened alertness to one’s surroundings. Located right along Union Street, the street facing windows are often opened up on warm days to encourage people watching while dining and drinking. The interior of this restaurant has one of the cooler Asian-inspired designs, similar in theme to a beer house found in places like Singapore. Design touches from the wooden Chinese paddles nailed to the wall, the sprinkler pipes painted to look like bamboo and the wall art posters all help transport diners far from its Cow Hollow locale.

Betelnut takes a contemporary approach to more traditional dishes from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and China. Their selection of appetizers go great with beer or their list of specialty cocktails. Personal favorites include the dishes pictured below along with the glazed pork short ribs, their noodle dishes, and the fried Red Snapper that is served whole.|Betelnut|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Thurs: 11:30am-11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-12am
Sun: 11:30am-11pm

A fairly consistent barometer for delicious and authentic Dim Sum can often be surmised on the quality of the siumai. This Outer Sunset destination does not disappoint with their large-sized pork, shrimp, and shiitake mushroom dumplings, which are freshly prepared in-house and served piping hot. Unlike other establishments that have their menu items wheeled around the dining room on carts, the Dim Sum here arrives to the table directly from the kitchen, often needing a few moments to cool down.

Favorites here include the shrimp dumplings, stuffed rice noodles, minced pork dumplings stuffed in deep-fried glutinous rice, pork spare ribs, mixed sticky rice steamed in a lotus leaf, and the bell peppers stuffed with crab.

Hours of Operation:
Dim Sum: Mon-Fri: 10am – 2:30pm
Sat-Sun: 9am – 3pm
Dinner: Mon-Fri: 5pm – 9:30pm
Sat-Sun: 5pm – 10pm

Long before sandwich chains drew national acclaim for adding toasted sandwiches to their menus, Submarine Center has been serving them quietly here for over 25 years. This West Portal district staple has gained a loyal following from locals and jealous out of towners alike for their freshly toasted sandwiches.

Eating at one of the wood tables inside, it’s cool to see the various autographed San Francisco 49′ers memorabilia that adorns the wall; telling an interesting story of the affinity this sandwich shop shares with its fans on the team. Favorites include the BBQ Beef, Italian, and Pastrami sandwiches served with all the fixins. |Sub Center|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sat: 10am-7pm
Sun: 10am-5pm

From the owners of Beretta comes Delarosa, a modern Italian restaurant that’s conveniently located on Chestnut Street in the Marina district. Though the signage looks more at home on a stainless steel Italian espresso machine, the interior is warm and inviting, with its share of high top communal tables encouraging conversation amongst diners.

Chef Ruggero Gadaldi’s menu features a mix of antipasti, salads, pastas, and Roman style pizzas, all complimented by a large selection of draft beers, wines and cocktails. Best of all, Delarosa is open late until 1 am most nights and also has a weekend brunch perfect for some daytime drinks. |Delarosa|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 11am – 1am
Sat & Sun Brunch: 11am – 4pm

One of my favorite restaurants in the Mission for its sleek and modern design, Farina’s ambiance is so inviting it just exudes cool. The curved curtain of glass that wraps around the frontage is beautiful yet functional, able to slide fully open to allow the breeze to circulate through. Skylights help keep the space bright with natural light, while the comfortable designer furniture helps to define the setting.

Chef Paolo Laboa relies on seasonal and fresh ingredients to bring out the best from his rustic yet elegant dishes influenced from his upbringing in Liguria, Italy. Freshly prepared pastas with their signature Genovese Pesto is a popular favorite here, as well as their Neapolitan pizzas. With so many delicious choices, it’s always fun to sample a bit of everything, just leave room for some of their amazing desserts. |Farina|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Thurs: 5:30pm-10pm
Fri-Sat: 5pm-10pm
Sun: 9am-3pm, 5pm-10pm

If a night at the theater is in your plans, then so should drinks and dinner at Jardinière. Conveniently located across the street from both the War Memorial Opera house and the Davies Symphony Hall, it is a perfect place to come for a cocktail and a bite to eat before a show.

For my last visit, I found myself at the self-seating section called the J Lounge, prior to seeing the San Francisco Ballet’s production of Romeo & Juliet. The lounge is on the first floor of the restaurant, surrounding the beautifully ornamented bar, and offers a smaller version of the menu as well as an array of festive cocktails. There is also a curtained off area available for private events. The beautiful, curved staircase leads to the main dining room, which overlooks the lounge area. If you’re in the mood for a fun cocktail, be sure to try one of Jardinière’s original concoctions. For dessert, my favorite is the Bonne Bouche Platter, which comes with a variety of cookies, cakes and tarts. A bit of a warning though, dining here can get a bit pricey. |Jardiniere|

Open 7 days a week:
Sun-Mon: 5pm–10pm
Tues-Sat: 5pm-10:30pm