Just around the corner from the shops that dot along 9th Avenue, Darla’s is a Sunset district favorite for hearty breakfast dishes, burgers and sandwiches. For those looking for morning fare, choices worth sampling include their variety of customizable omelettes, fluffy pancakes, and French toast. For lunch, their specialty would have to be their selection of customizable burgers and fries. My favorites would be the Patty Melt or their customizable burger, which are served with fries, garden salad, potato salad or soup. Darla’s also makes some great hot and cold sandwiches.

The dinner menu served after 5pm is reasonably priced with items like their rib-eye steak served with a green salad, garlic mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables for only $16. Hearty salads and soups also grace the menu and can be a nice alternative for those looking for something besides a burger. For dessert, be sure to get one of their fresh baked brownies. |Darla’s|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat-Sun: 8:30am – 10pm

Inspired by the family-run food stores that dot Southern Italy, Il Cane Rosso is a casual, quick service rotisserie and sandwich shop created by Chef Daniel Patterson of Coi and Lauren Kiino. The menu focus is on fresh seasonal ingredients and its |Ferry Building| location enables this place to source fresh produce and products directly from the local purveyors at the Farmers Market.

Many of the menu items utilize the rotisserie, which is where the whole roasted chicken, pork, and other meats are cooked to perfection. For breakfast, choices include their fried egg sandwich, toasted Acme pain de mie, bread pudding, and granola. Favorite sandwiches include their Porchetta, the warm egg salad, spit roasted pork, and the beef brisket. Choices of salads and soups are homemade, seasonal and rotate often. With lovely views of the Bay Bridge all lit up at night as a backdrop, their three course family-style meal for $25 per person is a reasonable dining option for some wholesome and rustic Italian fare. |Il Cane Rosso|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 9am – 9pm
Sat: 8am – 9pm
Sun: 9:30am – 9pm

Located in a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of San Mateo, only a few blocks from Highway 101, Nini’s has remained a local favorite for breakfast and lunch since opening over forty years ago. Though foot traffic in this area is pretty light, it’s no surprise to see diners patiently waiting outside with their coffee, all waiting for their name to be called from the clipboard full of names. So why do so many make the trek? Reasons would include a diverse menu of delicious and homemade breakfast and lunch dishes, large portion sizes, and friendly service.

Once inside, one immediately notices the time capsule of memorabilia that decorates the walls, the old style counter with orange seats, rings coming from the old cash register, and the oversized menu detailing all the choices posted right above the kitchen window. Such a large menu requires numerous repeat visits, but my favorite dish since discovering this place over 15 years ago has always been the Buttermilk Biscuits and Gravy, served with two eggs any style and home fries with the option of onions and peppers. My other go-to is the Bacon Special Omelette Scramble, which is served with sour cream, cheddar, tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon, chives, a side of toast and their signature home fries. Other popular dishes include their huge pancakes, sandwiches and their large selection of breakfast combinations, which are all worth sampling. Nini’s is one of the best places I can think of for breakfast in the Bay Area, definitely worth the drive and wait.

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 6:30am – 3pm
Sat-Sun: 7:30am – 2:30pm

Since opening in 1995, the Noe Valley Bakery has been a popular favorite among locals for their freshly baked cookies, artisan breads, cakes, pastries, and pies. Everything is made on the premises, all baked fresh throughout the day with natural ingredients. I usually find myself stopping in after a lunch somewhere on 24th street, craving something sweet like a cookie or cup cake to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Everything is worth sampling here, but I really like their Caramel-Fleur del Sel and Red Velvet cup cakes. Their pies have a nice flaky crust and are wholesomely good, my favorite being the Strawberry Rhubarb and Pecan pies. For those looking to do some baking at home without the messy clean-up, try some of their pre-made cookie doughs. |Noe Valley Bakery|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 7am-7pm
Sat-Sun: 7am-6pm

On a bright and sunny alley in SoMa, patrons line up near the kitchen counter window, waiting intently to order soul food favorites like fried chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and po’boy sandwiches. farmerbrown’s little skillet also serves |Fall Mills| stone-ground organic grits, |Let’s Be Frank| hot dogs wrapped in waffles, and pulled pork sandwiches.

The waffles here have a nice golden crust that softens just right from the real maple syrup, which also goes great with the savory fried chicken. It’s best to enjoy the meal while sitting along the loading dock that doubles as a makeshift dining table, relaxing in the sun with a house-made lemonade, sweet tea, or |Blue Bottle Coffee|. |farmerbrown’s little skillet|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sat: 9am-3:30pm

Perched on a corner in the Mission, no sign or awning to give away its location, one could easily drive past without noticing they’ve missed one of the best bakeries in the city. Luckily, the constant line of patrons pouring out the door of Tartine Bakery helps draw the eye, and by constant I mean, rain or shine, expect to see some sort of line. While I was waiting in line to order, I couldn’t help but appreciate the dated decor that’s changed very little since the sixties, exuding a sorta hipster charm that has come to define the Mission district for some.

This is one of my favorite places for buttery/flaky croissants, amazing morning buns, scones, and freshly baked loaves of French bread. I love their macarons, which make a nice gift if you can manage not to eat them first. The chocolate souffle cake is extremely rich and should advisably be consumed with one of their over-sized lattes, which are served in a bowl. For those looking for something savory, try one of their pressed sandwiches or the croque-monsieur. |Tartine Bakery|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon: 8am-7pm
Tues-Wed: 7:30am-7pm
Thurs-Fri: 7:30am-8pm
Sat: 8am-8pm
Sun: 9am-8pm

Located in an area of the city mostly known for its relics of San Francisco’s shipping industry, Just for You Cafe is helping to redefine the Dogpatch district as an up and coming neighborhood worth visiting. While many of the large industrial spaces still remain as reminders of this district’s roots, the local landscape is also a blend of live/work lofts, restaurants, and a growing arts scene. Situated on a sunny block of 22nd Street, the cafe is conveniently located near the T-Third Street Metro line, which makes the trip from Downtown only a few short stops.

Upon entering Just for You Cafe, the eyes are quickly drawn to the many posters and memorabilia that adorn the walls. This urge usually subsides in favor of making the difficult decision of what to eat from their large menu. Patrons love their customizable egg scrambles, Mexican breakfast specialties, chili, burgers, and po’boy sandwiches. The freshly baked beignets, biscuits, and cornbread are all made in-house, and much of their food comes from local and sustainable sources. This place is also one of the few places in the city that offers buttermilk, cornmeal, buckwheat, and oatmeal pancake varieties. |Just for You Cafe|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Tues: 7:30am-3:00pm
Wed-Fri: 7:30am-9:00pm
Sat-Sun: 8:00am-3:00pm
Cash only and no cell phones at the table.

For those crisp and sunny autumn days spent shopping in Union Square, an outdoor lunch on Maiden Lane is the prefect break from the frenzy of holiday shopping. Dining here amongst the boutiques and art galleries feels like areas of SoHo, while the live jazz helps to muffle the harsh noises of the city.

Mocca is a great little European bistro, best known for their marinated tri-tip steak and tuna nicoise. Their turkey, cranberry and brie sandwich is also worth trying at least once. For visits later in the afternoon, a hot cappuccino and dessert can be a great close to a productive shopping trip, just remember to bring cash.

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm
Sat: 8:30am-4pm
Sun: Closed

Deep within the Mission, far from its more likely surroundings of chic boutiques and trendy restaurants located further up 24th Street; Dynamo Donut & Coffee is a charming little shop that’s gaining a loyal following for their unique and unconventional donut varieties. Visible mostly by it’s bright yellow paint and green awning, Dynamo’s retro styling and quaint walk-up counter feels like a trip back to 1950s Americana.

Prepared in small batches using local organic ingredients, Dynamo serves up a rotation of 7-10 types of donuts made fresh daily. Some of the flavors include Maple-Glazed Bacon Apple, Caramel del Sel, Spiced Chocolate, Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Star Anise, and Lemon Thyme. While it could be quite the journey just to get here, Dynamo is a great destination for those looking to start their morning off right with a crisp morning paper, fluffy donut, and hot cup of Four Barrel Coffee. Donuts are priced between $2-$3.50; current varieties prepared that day can be found on |Dynamo’s Twitter Page|. |Dynamo Donut & Coffee|Four Barrel Coffee|

Hours of Operation:
Mon: Closed
Tues-Sat: 7am-5pm
Sun: 9am-4pm

2330 Taylor Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 776-8735

Not far from the Powell Street cable car line turnaround, Pat’s Cafe is an unpretentious, charmingly small North Beach restaurant, best known for their brunch and breakfast dishes. I like this place for the neighborhood cafe feel, the personable service, and convenient North Beach location.

Let the tourists wait in line at all the crowded traps (i.e. Mama’s) around Washington Square; I’d rather not start my day with a hour plus wait just for some hearty breakfast. My favorites include the French toast, pancakes, and the scrambled eggs with cheese and chicken-apple sausages. The free Wi-Fi is a nice perk, and I heard they recently started dinner service. |Pat’s Cafe|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 7:30am-2:30pm
Wed-Thurs: 5:30pm-9pm
Fri-Sat: 5:30pm-10pm