Peanut butter & jelly. Turkey & cranberry sauce. These things just make sense together. I  would like to propose a new addition though: red velvet cake batter and fried chicken! Trust me on this, it’s much better than it sounds. At American Cupcake, there are a bevy of delicious goodies to choose from, but their specialty RVFC (Red Velvet Fried Chicken) dishes are definitely worth trying.

Located on Union Street, this place offers two menus: a sweet menu and a savory menu. The sweet menu includes whoopee pies, cotton candy, and of course, cupcakes; while the savory menu offers comfort food such as mac’n’cheese and tomato soup. If you’re of age, there’s even a menu that suggests pairings of wine and sweets to enjoy. I would suggest buying the mini cupcakes because then you can try more flavors! The ambiance of American Cupcake is very futuristic: the inside looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie and the overhead lights are constantly changing color, so don’t be surprised if your food takes on a red, wait, green…no, blue tinge! American Cupcake is open late except on Sundays, so if you’re in the neighborhood and need to satisfy your sweet tooth, definitely seek it out! |American Cupcake|

Hours of Operation:
Tues & Wed: 11am – 10pm
Thurs, Fri & Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 12pm – 7pm
Mon: Closed

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

If you spot the bright orange awning just off the path from all the shops, bars and restaurants that fill Polk Street in Russian Hill then you’ve found the right place. Biondivino is a charming little wine boutique that specializes in Italian varietals and wines from lessor known wine regions like Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. For those seeking something that fizzes, this shop also features a large French Champagne selection. Though the space is compact, much thought went into the design in order to maximize the number of bottles on display in their wine racks, while also keeping the space welcoming and pretty. The modern furniture and fixtures marry well, creating a space that plays host to small tastings periodically for the members of their mailing list. Be on the lookout for orange tags that hang on the neck of some bottles to indicate it is a value wine. I always seem to have good luck finding something I have yet to try here that I would normally expect to pay more for. |biondivino|

Hours of Operation
Mon-Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 9pm

After years in the wine and restaurant industries, husband and wife Spencer Graham and Elizabeth Pressler established Elizabeth Spencer Wines in 1998. Sourcing their grapes from a handful of growers and a dozen vineyard blocks in the Napa Valley, Sonoma Coast and Mendocino appellations,  varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and a Rose of Syrah.

With a tasting room originally outfitted as the town’s post office, the small interior space with its exposed red brick walls is an inviting setting for a wine tasting with friends. My favorite aspect of this place is the large patio off the side of the tasting room. Complete with comfy couches and pillows, the large tents extend the tasting room to the outdoors, allowing for larger groups to be accommodated. |Elizabeth Spencer|

Tasting Room Hours:
Sun-Sat: 10am-6pm

Right in the heart of Saint Helena, Alpha Omega Winery is one of the newer boutique wineries in the area, conveniently located right off Highway 29. AO is a great place for large groups looking to sample some wines while enjoying the panoramic views from their terrace or in a more intimate setting within one of their private tasting rooms. While they do grow some of the grapes on the property, most of the grapes come from various appellations throughout Napa Valley. The winemakers feel that sourcing grapes from different terroirs like the the valley floor, coastline, mountain and hillside all help bring unique complexities and aromatics to their wines. Their flagship wine Era and their Chardonnay both received 94 point ratings from Wine Spectator, though they fetch premium prices. They also have a good Cabernet Sauvignon and a late harvest white wine that are priced in the $80s. I like their Sauvignon Blanc, which is on the more affordable side of the spectrum and is only available  for sale at the winery. Tastings are $20 a person, but that fee is waived with the purchase of a bottle. |Alpha Omega|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 10am – 6pm

Not far from the skyscrapers that dot along the Financial District, Rickhouse is a trendy saloon that’s perfect for discerning drinkers looking for a tasty libation after a long day at the office. From the outside, this place sorta looks like an over-sized oak barrel, while the interior is a mix between an old seafaring vessel and dimly lit speakeasy. Specialties include their list of artisanal cocktails like their La Bon Vie (Plymouth, fresh lemon and grapefruit juice, fresh basil, and bitters), spirits, local beers and boutique California wines. |Rickhouse|

Hours of Operation:
Mon: 5pm – 2am
Tues-Fri: 1pm – 2am
Sat: 6pm – 2am
Sun: Closed

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

Situated along the picturesque Silverado Trail, Robert Sinskey Vineyards has been making 100% organic wine since opening in 1991. Spanning over 200 acres in the Carneros and Stags Leap districts of Napa and Sonoma Valley, each varietal is grown using certified biodynamic winegrowing methods.

Grape varieties include their red wine Bordeaux-style wines sold under the POV label, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. White wines include their Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Muscat Blanc. They even make a Rose Vin Gris of Pinot Noir. Special events at the winery include their Farm to Table events that feature their signature wines paired with dishes made fresh from their kitchen. Come by and see for yourself why this place was voted tasting room of the year by Sunset Magazine and a must visit winery by Wine Spectator. |Robert Sinskey Vineyards|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 10am – 4:30pm

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

Part gastropub, part speakeasy, Tipsy Pig is a popular destination on Chestnut Street for crafted cocktails, comfort food bites, and the usual good looking Marina scenery. Most nights there’s quite a crowd that gathers here, which can make the dining room a bit noisy for intimate dinner conversation. For warm weather outings, the rear patio tables are a coveted spot for evening drinks and weekend brunches.

The food menu at Tipsy Pig features items like smoked bacon mac & cheese, Chimay-braised pulled pork sliders with red cabbage slaw on Hawaiian sweet buns, BBQ baby back ribs, chicken pot pie, fried-green tomatoes, and even deviled eggs. For those looking for something a bit lighter/healthy, house made pasta and a few salads are also offered. Dinner is served nightly until 10pm to 11pm. The weekend brunch menu features items like French toast, egg scrambles, huevos rancheros, and sandwiches such as a pulled pork Sloppy Joe, their Tipsy Burger, and Wild Alaskan Halibut sandwich.

The cocktail menu is awash with drinks containing fancy liquors like Le Tourment Vert Absinthe, Harlem, Aperol, and Old Overholt Rye just to name a few. For those that prefer sweet over dry, Strawberry Fields is a must try, which contains vodka, fresh strawberries, fresh lime, simple syrup, and soda, served in a Mason jar. Their Moscow Mule, Pickwick Julep, and classic Greyhound are also worth sampling, not to mention their Drakes Woodworm, which contains Absinthe and St Germain Elderflower liquor. |Tipsy Pig|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 5pm – 2am
Sat-Sun: 11am – 2am