Located in the hip Marina neighborhood, Nectar Wine Lounge is a great venue for dates or for simply relaxing with friends while sampling a nice glass of wine. The lounge atmosphere here, which seems more ubiquitous in say New York or Europe than in SF, still offers an ambiance that’s conducive for great conversations over drinks. Patrons can either sit at the bar or in comfortable seats around the lounge. The hexagonal boxes (laden with wine displays) and the large windows overlooking Steiner Street, all add to the lounge’s ambiance. With a rotating wine list, you always have the opportunity to try new wines. With a nice eclectic mix of different varietals of whites, reds, rosés, desserts and bubbly, there is always a wine available for those with discriminating tastes and those that will only drink certain wines in certain seasons. With over 40 pages of wines available solely available by the bottle, their extensive international wine selection allowed me to try my first non-sweet Hungarian Tokaji wine (of which I promptly bought 5 bottles!). For those that aren’t into wine, they stock a few sodas and European beers, available by the bottle. Wines are available by the sip, glass or bottle – and are also sold by the bottle as retail. They also serve small plates, including some delicious flat-bread and cheese plates. |Nectar|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Wed: 5pm – 10:30pm
Thurs-Sat: 5pm – 12am
Sun: 5pm – 10pm

On a brisk, slightly misty San Francisco evening, a world away from the trendy shops and bars that neighbor along Chestnut Street, it’s a welcoming sight to see that brightly lit green oval sign that shines brightly against the red brick and ivy. Sharing its name with a southern Italian highway that stretches from Naples to Canosa, A16 could possibly be the most charming restaurant in the Marina that’s perfect for just about any occasion. Whether its drinks and some light apps on a high top near the front of the restaurant, or a more extensive sampling of the menu at a table near the open kitchen in the back, the warm wood burning pizza oven helps make this place a cozy and warm dining experience away from the rain. When weather permits, the small covered rear patio provides yet another dining experience that feels more like a backyard dinner amongst close friends.

Serving up rustic seasonal Italian fare, A16 specialties include their customizable Neapolitan pizzas from their wood burning oven, house-cured salumi, creamy Burrata, ricotta gnocchi, and their meatballs just to name a few. Each dish here can find its pair with one of over 500 selections of Italian and California wines, so with choices abound, navigating the wine menu can often be best served with some pairing recommendations from owner Shelley Lindgren. |A16|

Hours of Operation:
Lunch:
Wed-Fri: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Dinner:
Mon-Thurs: 5:30pm – 10pm
Fri: 5:30pm – 11pm
Sat: 5pm – 11pm
Sun: 5pm – 10pm

When cravings call for Korean cuisine, finding a suitable choice in this city can be quite an adventure in trial and error. Going with the first Korean restaurant to open in San Francisco is definitely a good place to start. Located in Japantown, Korea House has been in business since 1972, and features a diverse menu of traditional home-style dishes meant for sharing.

Meals here always begin with an assortment of small plates containing pickles, kim chi, tofu, fermented bean paste, steamed vegetables, and seafood. For the main course, the menu features marinated meats grilled table-side like Bul Go Gi, rice dishes topped with seasonal vegetables, a fried egg and chili paste known as Bibim Bop, and hearty stews and soups. Their selection of noodle dishes and fish served either braised or pan-fried are also worth exploring. For the more adventurous, exotic parts of the animal like tripe, tongue, and intestine also grace the menu. |Korea House|

Hours of Operation:
Sun- Thurs: 11am – 11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am – 12pm

When in the Mission district and the mood calls for some mouth watering Neapolitan thin-crust pizzas, contemporary Italian comfort food, and inventive cocktails, Beretta is a must try. The dimly lit upstairs is often brimming with diners packed into tight tables adjacent to the bar area, with some tables offering views of the open kitchen at the rear of the restaurant. For large groups, their set menu options in their private dining room downstairs are reasonably priced for the amount of food they provide and allow diners to sample some of their most popular menu items.

Their selection of pizzas offer a lot of variety that should appeal to any palate, and with options to add burrata, or even an egg as a topping should be reason enough to visit. Notable favorite dishes include their bruschette of fava bean and pecorino, eggplant caponatina with burrata, risotto with prosciutto, leeks and goat cheese, and their arugula and fennel salad with shaved parmesan. The meat antipasti mixed plate was fantastic, and is probably one of the best I’ve had in the city. Specials rotate on a daily basis and repeat visits are definitely required to sample their large menu of courses. |Beretta|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 5:30 pm – 1 am
Sat-Sun: 11 am – 1 am (bar open late)

Surrounded by bars and Italian restaurants, it may be surprising that such a great place for Pan-Asian cuisine is located right in the middle of North Beach. Just up the street from the tourist traps that dot Columbus Avenue, this quaint 40-seat restaurant is always packed with diners, all there to sample dishes like their signature grilled sea bass with garlic ginger soy, Niman Ranch pork chop with pomegranate currant sauce, ribeye steak, and warm wasabi house noodles.

On my last visit, dinner began on a high note with some amazing oysters on the half shell, complimented by a spicy cilantro mignonette. Side dishes like their blue lake bean tempura and their deep-fried salmon roll served with Chinese hot mustard are both worth trying. Specials rotate often based on seasonality of ingredients, but when it’s available, their lobster salad and grilled halibut dishes are great choices. |The House|

Hours of Operation:
Lunch:
Mon-Sat: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Dinner:
Mon-Thurs: 5:30pm – 10pm
Fri-Sat: 5:30pm – 11pm

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 the 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

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