Kasa Indian Eatery

3115 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 896-4008
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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. Read more »

SPQR

1911 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 771-7779
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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. Read more »

S&T Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant

2578 Noriega Street
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 665-8338
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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. Read more »

Farina

3560 18th Street
San Francisco, CA, 94110
(415) 565-0360
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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. Read more »

Ton Kiang

5821 Geary Boulevard
between 22nd & 23rd Streets
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 752-4440
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Freshly prepared dim sum can be hard to find in many districts outside of Chinatown, but when the plan calls for venturing out, it’s always worthwhile to stop in at Ton Kiang for some authentic Chinese cuisine. Located on busy Geary Street, this local favorite in the Richmond District is always popular, especially on the weekends when both levels of the dining room are packed with diners. Though at times dining here can require waiting in a line, dim sum is ideal for daytime meals because of its speed and efficiency, making a quick power lunch before heading back to the office possible. Read more »

Bangkok Noodles

110 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
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When wandering around the streets near Union Square, it’s easy to get distracted by the sea of retail and restaurants dotted along Powell Street. It’s best to push past the aggressive restaurant greeters indicative of tourist traps and instead, opt for a crowded seat or table at Bangkok Noodles. Judging by the hungry diners that often congregate outside during meal times, it’s no secret that this place is a local favorite for some of the best affordable and delicious Thai cuisine in the city. Read more »

R & G Lounge

631 Kearny Street
San Francisco, CA
94108
(415) 982-7877
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While the choices can be somewhat limited in the city for dine-in Chinese fare on the fancier side, look no further than R&G Lounge for deliciously authentic Cantonese cuisine. Located across the street from Portsmouth Square, the restaurant is only a few short blocks from the Financial District and North Beach, making it a convenient locale for a reasonably priced work lunch during the week. Read more »

Dragon Well

2142 Chestnut Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 474-6888
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For delicious Chinese food on the healthier side, Dragon Well is an excellent choice. A fixture in the Marina district since 1998; the service is consistently friendly and attentive, and the food is always fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. Dragon Well is a great place for a casual date; the high ceilings give a loft-like feel to the space, while the subtle lighting makes dining here feel more intimate. I really like this restaurant for its clean and contemporary decor; the dark wood furniture contrasts nicely with the cream paint, creating an interior that feels welcoming and warm. Read more »

La Taqueria

2889 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA, 94110
(415) 285-7117
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While nearly every district in the city has its own decent Taqueria, it’s no surprise that when I am craving delicious Mexican food, a trip to the Mission is always in order. Though there are plenty of noteworthy places that serve good tacos and burritos in the Mission, La Taqueria is always worth a mention. I love this place for their steak tacos, garnished with beans, salsa, sour cream and a heaping scoop of guacamole. This place is pretty authentic with meat choices like beef tongue and cabeza, though I tend to stick to the more standard meats like carne asada or the barbecued pork. Refreshments include ice cold cervezas, sodas, and house made cantaloupe, mango, and strawberry agua frescas. Read more »

Golden Star Vietnamese Restaurant

11 Walter U Lum Place,
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 398-1215
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When the mood strikes for some authentic Vietnamese cuisine, one place always comes to mind: Golden Star. Located in Chinatown, on a nondescript street adjacent to Portsmouth Square, this very popular lunch spot has an expansive menu of freshly prepared Vietnamese dishes that are both delicious and affordable.  Read more »