The advantage of living in such a fabulously diverse metropolis is that each night, if we so choose, we can eat at a different restaurant, taking into consideration budget and calories. More often than not, I catch myself at the same local favorites. What is in walking distance from home, easy and guaranteed to be good. In 2011 I want to get out and explore some of San Francisco’s diners, dives and diamonds in the rough.

I love yelp, but I thought it would be nice to get my friends input and personal favorites. In December I emailed twenty plus of my trusted – tasteful friends and asked them to share favorite must-go restaurants in San Francisco. I came up with five fun categories: 1. Quick and Cheap Eats, 2. Best Happy Hour Spot, 3. Neighborhood Favorite, 4. Ethnic Specialty (Indian, Asian, Italian, Spanish, etc.), and 5. Fine Dining – Date Night or Special Occasion $$$ and asked for one suggestions per, with a minimum of one sentence saying why.

Below you will find the consolidated list, organized or disorganized by neighborhood, topic or type of food. There is a little overlap, so * = recommended by more than one person. Feel free to add comments, suggestions and your own two cents. Enjoy!

1. Quick and Cheap Eats

Places that are fun, easy and don’t tax your wallet when you just don’t feel like cooking.

Pizza

• Zante Pizza (Mission): Indian Pizza – sounds weird but is amazing.
• Golden Boy Pizza (North Beach): SF classic, way better than north beach.
• South Beach Cafe: cool little family run pizza/sandwich place. The antonio pizza combines all that is good in the world, carbs, fresh mozzarella and procuitto for 10 bucks.

Taco’s and Burrito’s

• Don Pisto’s Tacos (North Beach): Tacos in North Beach? Yep, it’s delicious and nice to have something other than Italian available.
• Little Chihuahua (Lower Haight): Bomb burrito
• Taqueria Cancun (Mission): It’s always packed but the burritos are always good and very fast – it’s particularly fantastic around 2 in the morning to make up for the fact that you just spent part of your life in Bruno’s bar across the street.
• The Taco Shop at Underdogs (Sunset/ 1824 Irving, between 19th & 20th):  If you’ve heard of Nick’s Crispy Taco’s on Polk, then you’ll recognize the food at Underdogs. they have fantastic breakfast burritos, fish tacos, quesadillas, regular burritos, etc, and it’s a great place to grab a quick bite. of course, if you order a bucket of Tecate on special, you could be there for more than just 15 minutes…
• Victor’s (aka “Guapos”): Where everyone is guapo! solid cheap mexican in SOMA.
• Taqueria Vallarta (Mission):  Inside one restaurant the have 3 stands and 3 different cooks that are all making different things. You can stop by the tamale lady at the entrance, the taco guy in the corner or go grab a carnitas super burrito (my personal fav) at the cash register.
• El Burrito Express (Divisadero and Bush): The best cheap burritos outside the Mission. Their wet burritos cost $6 and are big enough to feed 2 people. At $7.50 their Cancun burrito with red snapper is off the charts.
• Nick’s Crispy Tacos (Russian Hill/Polk): A quick dinner staple. Always guaranteed to be good. My favorite is fish taco, grilled, Nick’s way with guac and cheese.

Cafes:  Sandwich, Salad, Breakfast

• *Lucca Delicatessen: 1. If you love traditional Italian delis and cured meat you might have just found Nirvana. 2. This place WILL cure even the gnarliest of hangovers.
• *Grove Cafe: 1. It has to be on this list and I thought this was the best section…although it’s not particularly “cheap” it’s also not expensive and is definitely quick and good for any meal of the day (breakfast, lunch, dinner or happy hour) 2. The Grove is where I frequent for lunch since it’s by work.  A little more pricey, but yummy food and drink.
• Marina Subs (Chestnut):  The owner is a little asian sub nazi, but he makes the most amazing affordable subs.  Fresh whole avocados on a large size sub, drink and chips for maybe $7.  The bread is fresh and delish, and the best part is you can save your leftovers and the bread doesn’t really get soggy.  Yummmy!
• The Bagelry (Polk): For the best bagels. (Unless you love Noah’s…)
• Sugar Café (Union Square/ Sutter): The most generous and best serving of granola, fruit and yogurt that really hits the spot.
• Wildflower Café (Financial District): For best salad bar.
• Blue Barn & Pluto’s: Amazing salads, Blue Barn is more expensive than Pluto’s but in my opinion worth it, favorite is the Tostada salad.
• Cafe Centro (South Park): For lunch. It’s not the quickest and it’s not like McDonalds cheap, but they make great sandwiches and salads.

Food Carts

• *Off the Grid: 1. When in session, this taco truck stop is delicious and cheap.  Runs in the spring, summer, fall months. 2. The “Off the Grid”  food trucks is a melting pot of ethnic food, literally all in one dish.  Korean style tacos, french fry nachos, and ramen are some of the choices among lavendar creme brulee and the best Dim Sum I have ever had.  The trucks are at different places throughout the week: Valencia by the 101 freeway, Civic Center, Haight and it used to be in the Marina.  Track it down, eat it, be happy.

Other great spots

• Café Zitouna (Polk and Sutter): Open late, Moroccan and Tunisian food, delicious, fast and cheap. The owner (or guys who act like owners) take very good care of you including remembering your name between visits. http://www.sfcafezitouna.com
• Tommy’s Joint: Greasy, quick, cheap, and filling. Mmm
• Roam Burger (Union): Try the seasonal shake
• Bocadillos: Bite size servings of a variety of delicious sandwiches.
• Yamo: Quick and dirty (Burmese/Chinese)
• Rosamunde Sausage Grill (Lower Haight)

2. Best Happy Hour Spot

Some think “Happy Hour” drinks, but also food, apps and treats that you would normally pay much more for at normal hours.

Apps and Food

• *Palomino (Embarcadero): 1. Palomino – dangerously good deals on drinks and 1/2 off appetizers and pizzas w/views of the Bay. 2. I never do happy hour, but apparently it’s always happy hour there. They have great, full-sized pizzas for $5, huge plates of good, fried calamari for $5, flatbreads and dips, etc. And you’re right on the water and there’s lots of outdoor seating and heat lamps.
• Umami Sushi (Cow Hollow/ Union): Great fish, but also hard to beat the half price bottle’s of wine, basic rolls and happy hour treats. Rolls/apps are around $4, cheapest bottles of wine for less than $15. Happy hours are 5-7PM Everyday.
• B Restaurant and Bar (Downtown, right next to Moma and Metreon):  Outdoor seating. $1 oysters during happy hour and good drink specials. Take note – Lots of cute girls dressed professionally from the financial district. http://www.bsanfrancisco.com/
• Parea Wine Bar (Valencia in Mission): It’s a little Greek place with cozy booths where you can order a $5 glasses of wine and $5 appetizers – great place to sit with four or five friends and catch up. They often have live greek music, and if you’re lucky, some awesome elderly greek dancers!
• 15 Romolo: Best food/ drink happy hour. I honestly don’t even know if they even have a happy hour, but their beer prices are super low because most everyone orders non-beer drinks at this mixology speakeasy watering hole.  The burgers and fries are de-lish.  Modest sized packed with flavor, the Downtown burger is your normal tasty hamburger topped with pulled prok on top.  The setting is a little sketchy, being in the middle of the strip clubs up an alleyway on Columbus.  But anywhere that I can have three amazing customized drinks, a burger and fries for $30 makes my hour happy.

Wine

• Dell’uva: Cheap bottles of interesting wine all day, good little pizzas and snacks
• Amelie:  For generous pours of wine and tasty appetizers. a5a steak lounge for unbelievable happy hr deals in the Financial District.

Beer

• Zeitgeist (Mission): Bike friendly tamales (ala carte lady) and pitchers. Outside seating with picnic tables!
• The Black Horse London Pub (Union/Vanness:  not my neighborhood, but still probably the friendliest neighborhoodlike environment. Room for 10 people max where chivalry still lives. The bartender asks if you want another round by name and tells you to give up your seat to any young lady who happens to be standing. You are gauranteed to make at least one friend when you visit. Not to mention beers are kept cold in a bath tub behind the bar.
• Kennedy’s Irish Pub & Indian Curry House (Columbus): 5-7pm and 11-11:30pm, $2 guiness draft and 2 for 1 on the other 100 beers on tap.

Cocktails

• Tonic:  2 for 1 drinks, doesn’t get easier than that!  Happy Hour goes til 7:00, so I can actually MAKE it there before the special ends. And they’re happy to let you bring in outside food from the neighborhood for something to munch on. More local midweek, with trivia night, surf movies and gummy bears!
• Cigar Bar (on Montgomery): LOVE the outdoor atmosphere, drink specials and quesadillas!!
• Tunnel Top (Bush and Stockton): They do not have a happy hour, per se, however any time of the day or night their drinks are very cheap. Quality, high-end martinis are about $7 and beers are about $3. Free trail mix if you ask (as much as you like). Tip big at the start of your night and they’ll take very good care of you. Cash only.
• City Tavern (Marina): 2$ tuesdays,  ok 2 $food, and all tap beers 2 bucks. then migrate to Blue light, then stumble home…
• Rickhouse (Downtown/ Union Square): Awesome yummy yummy drinks. Punch bowls and floor to ceiling Whiskey! The bar tenders dress in old fashion attire, its dark and a really unique atmosphere. Good place for an after work cocktail.
• Moussy’s: Great happy hour deals on tapas and wine, cool decor and vibe located below a french school.
• Gitane: Little place, but fun place.  Great cocktails. And Bacon Bon Bons.
• The Mucky Duck (1315 9th Avenue, between Irving and Judah) – so their happy hour is pretty typical (4pm-7pm, M-F) you can’t beat their Bloody Mary’s. they are ridiculously loaded with garlic-stuffed olives and Jalapeños. they’ve also got darts, a pool table, a fantastic jukebox that is NOT constantly churning out Top 40 hits (think more along the lines of Led Zeppelin or the Rolling Stones) and a popcorn machine. i haven’t checked it out on weekends, but supposedly they have Trumer Pilsner specials with free BBQ at 11am; not a bad way to start the day.
• A few more: Fly Bar (Divisader0), 83 Proof (SOMA), Sugar Lounge (Hayes Valley)

3. Neighborhood Favorite

Walking distance from home. Gems that others may not discover if they don’t live in the ‘Hood’, but good enough for a trek across town.

Lower Pac Heights/ Divisadero

• *Tortilla Heights: 1. They have delicious chips and salsa that could be called your meal and great food and ritas. 2. Great places for drinks and just going out with friends. 3. Great for groups, price fixe birthday or group meal, I believe $20 for dinner, apps and a shot of tequila (hard to beat, also no mess with splitting checks). 4. Great food, strong margaritas, fun atmosphere, cheap prices. (Happy Hour 4:30-6:30 daily & Sunday 3:30-6:30 – 1/2 OFF Pitchers of Margaritas Tues-Fri!)
• NOPA: Well worth the wait and may be the best in the city.
• Little Star: Love the namesake Chicago-style deep dish pizza tastes better than fried bacon even though it’s totally vegetarian.
• Blue Jay Cafe: It is a little oasis of Southern soul food with small plates and entrees at very reasonable prices. Get the $11 Burger.

Marina

• *Pacific Catch: 1. Definitely the most reasonably priced, best tasting fish around!  Table space is limited, so this is often my go-to take out spot when I need to grab dinner on the way home! 2. Love the Salmon Wasabi Bowl and salads. Cheap, delicious, and healthy. Best to do take out though so you don’t have to wait to be seated – not very spacious.
• *Tacolicious: 1. Good social vibe, good food, good drinks. 2. Casual, bar seating with ever changing menus and the best salsas I’ve ever had.
• * Mamacita: One ‘step’ up from tacoliscous, but excellent all around. 2. Tacos and salads are great and vibe of restaurant is fun and lively.
• *Zushi puzzle: 1.Best raw fish in town. 2. Decor is super cheesy but the sushi is really good, as a result a waits can be long, plan accordingly.

North beach

• Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Café: This is a great authentico Italian cafe.
• Trattoria Contadina: It’s quaint, authentic and makes me think of Italy (make reservations)

Pacific Heights

• La Mediterranee (Fillmore): love their lunch prices and their super yummy dishes. They also have daily specials. Wine Lovers! Share a bottle and get $10 off every Monday and Tuesday Night.  (limit one per table with purchase of two entrees or more)
• Zazie: For brunch but, no! Everyone knows Zazie.
• Curbside Café ( California and Fillmore): A betterer, more localer place in Pacific Heights. Awesome brunch, French inspired but they’re flexible in that they’ll make you anything you like. Ask for the crispy bacon. Tiny restaurant, group of four max, rarely a wait more than five minutes but definitely worth it. You can eat a hefty plate of eggs, French toast or fruit/yogurt with coffee for $10. - http://www.sfcurbside.com
• Ella’s (Presidio and California): New favorite brunch spot. Service is always a little flaky, but the food more than makes up for it. Also, I can’t neglect Florio on Fillmore for a simple, delicious dinner and $14 half carafes of good wine. One of my faves on a rainy night.
• Delfina pizza kitchen

Richmond

• Bella Tratorria (Geary): Italian food. Off the beaten path, but well worth the trip. Owner is super friendly and food is Molto bene!

Russian Hill/ Nob Hill

• Sushi Groove: This spot was a twice-a-week occasion for me.  Cozy, attentive waitresses, good rolls – I’m going to shed a tear reminiscing…
• La Folie Lounge: Right next door to La Folie on Polk St.  Small, but elegant.  Fun place for chill drinks and really awesome snacks.  Think truffle deviled eggs.
• Nook (Hyde St): A refuge to work on my laptop and not be judged and the great atmosphere and eats it always has there.

Sunset

• Outerlands (45th and Judah):  Absolutely hands down no question! It’s a hike, but it is so worth it. Warm, hearty food made fresh daily – hot open faced sandwiches, tasty salads, and the most delicious bread you’ve ever had.  Their Sunday brunch is phenomenal too – orange cinnamon french toast, poached eggs with grits and collard greens, and many other delicious things!
• Park Chow (1240 9th Ave, b/w Lincoln & Irving): Definitely a great place to take out-of-town guests, friends, family, or even a date. they have a pretty diverse brunch and dinner menu with lots of Californian/American fare, with affordable wines and excellent beers on tap. do NOT miss their specialty milkshakes which come in seasonal flavors (pumpkin anyone?).

Potrero

• Goat hill Pizza: The all you can eat Mondays are really fun if you wanna gorge yourself!

4. Ethnic Specialty

(Indian, Thai, Italian, Spanish, etc.)

Hard to just say one…. But we these are the foreign favorites!

Indian

• Dosa (2 Locations – Fillmore and Valencia): Bring your game face if you’re a spicy food fan!  South Indian cuisine done VERY well  (okay – so I’ve never been to south India, but I’ve dined at Dosa with people who have, and they love it too!)
• *Burma SuperStar (Clement): 1. Delicious. 2. Classic, rainbow/tea leaf salads, spicy lamb, noddles in coconut curry. 3. Call a 1/2 hour ahead to put your name on the list
• *Pakwan – Indian & Pakistani (16th valencia): 1 .BYOB, one of 2 places in the city that my indian co worker will take his full indian family. 2. Pakistani food. Standard chicken Tiki masala is always my go to favorite here, but everything is really good. (You might come out smelling like Indian food but it’s worth it!)
• *Kennedy’s Irish Pub & Indian Curry House: 1. It’s the best Irish pub AND the best Indian food in San Francisco… under one roof… full menu till 1am… ffs. 2. I know this sounds lame but Kennedy’s off Columbus has such good quick Indian food.  And it’s in a huge pub with pool table etc.  Cheap yummy food and cheap drinks- love it.
• Indian Oven: SF Favorite.
• *Amber India: 1. Butter Chicken, Spicy Lamb.  My faves. There is a formal dining room, however I always eat in the bar. 2. Buffet lunch $16.95, is really amazing, you can try everything you might not want to order and go back for seconds.
• Darbar: Best Indian… no more explanation needed.

Italian

• Tommaso Ristorante Italiano (North Beach): For simple, not messing around Italian go to.
• Trattoria Contadina, Tony’s Pizzeria Napoletana (North Beach) and Pizzeria Delfina (Mission and Pac Heights)

Peruvian

• *Limon (rotisserie): 1. Relatively inexpensive, insane chicken, large carafes of sangria and yucca frites. 2. Out of this world chicken! Any of the sides will knock your socks off too. Very reasonably priced too. Dont go to the Limon restaurant on Valencia because it doesn’t have the chicken.
• La Mar (Embarcadero):  Awesome ceviche and other Peruvian classics. Not to mention the stunning waterfront view of the bay.
• Mi Lindo Peru (The mission): Cheap, authentic, delicious.

Sushi

• *Sushi Bistro: 1. Best sushi in town, amazing. 2. Everyone has their favorite sushi place in the city, mine is Sushi Bistro in the Inner Richmond. It’s not cheap nor is it too expensive and they never fail to please. I have tried almost every roll on their menu and have yet to find one I dislike.
• *Maru (on Powell between Sutter and Bush): 1. Amazing sushi considering their very touristy location. Don’t let that fool you. Sit at the bar if you can but the tables are equally good. Great for groups. Ask for, “something special” from the sushi master and you’ll never be sad. You can have a very good sushi dinner here for under $20 with a drink. 2. I love Maru, too.
• Tataki Sushi: (California & Divisidero) Sustainable and health conscious sushi, GREAT happy hour from 5pm-7pm
• Kabuto sushi: Must try the foie gras roll!
• Nihon: Whiskey bar a la sushi
• Umami, listed in happy hour specials above!

Thai

• Marnee Thai (1243 9th Ave, b/w Lincoln & Irving): Hands down the best Thai food in the city. the chef has been winning awards for almost 10 years and the menu offers a lot more than your standard Pad Thai (although that’s pretty awesome in itself.)  must-try dishes are the Tom Yum coconut soup and the crab cakes.
• *Jitlada Thai (Buchanan and Bush): (http://www.yelp.com/biz/jitlada-thai-cuisine-san-francisco): 1. Can’t go wrong with curries at Jitlada 2. Suuuuper tasty Thai food in a living room atmosphere.
• Yukol Place (on Lombard): The Tom Yom at Yukol is really good.
• Thai House Express (Geary): Just because it is delicious.

Chinese

• House of Nan King (also check out Fang in SOMA): Get the Pea shoot salad and anything with sweet potatoes.
• Eliza’s: Delicous, healthy Chinese food and not at all expensive.
• Ah Lin’s Chinese restaurant: We go here all the time, it’s very tasty, not greasy chinese and the prices are great, especially for lunch!
• Cyril Magnum for dim sum…

Other

• Green Chili Kitchen (NOPA): The only true New Mexican food joint in the city. try it Christmas’d!
• New Eritrea (11th Avenue and Irving): Order their veggie and meat combo for two – a huge hot plate of warm injera bread covered in all kinds of flavorful lentils, okra, lamb, chicken… very filling!
• Cafe Zitouma (Polk): Authentic Moroccan cuisine.
• Zarzuela: Delicious tapas.
• Filippino Food: In San Mateo & worth the drive: The Attic
• German: Suppenkucke

5. Fine Dining – Special Occasion

Not your every day dining destination, somewhere unique, that you may go for a date, celebration or just when your feeling like something that fine!

• *Frascati: 1. Best fried chicken I’ve ever had.  Best chocolate molten cake I’ve ever had.  Romantic. 2. Another Russian Hill shout-out.  This isn’t just a neighborhood bias though, this place is amazing.  I’ve had two fantastic celebrations here (Birthday ’08 and New Year’s ’09) and definitely intend to have more in the future.  Amazing food, très romantique!
• Baker and Banker (Bush and Octavia): They make almost everything themselves, even have a bakery now and take care of you very well. If I had another vote here I would put La Gitane on Claude Lane. This must be the most beautiful interior I have eaten in. And the food is outstanding.
• Absinthe (Hayes and Gough): Kitchen is open late (and the bar later). French food perfectly prepared. It’s an absolute treat for dinner and they have an amazing brunch as well. Expect to spend $30/plate at dinner at $12/plate at brunch. They have many types of Absinthe and will serve it the proper way (with tutorial). Excellent pastries. Valet parking at night. Top notch burger for $12. - http://www.absinthe.com
• Spork: Modern hipster diner with cool vibe and unique amazing food.
• Delfina (Mission): Everything about italian done right. (Must skip desert and get Bi-Rite creamery though)
• NOPA: Cool and hip, great food.
• Zuni Cafe: amazing wine list, best chicken in town, great oysters
• Espetus: Brazilian all you can eat meat orgy even ghengis khan would be proud of.
• Firefly (24th St and Douglass in Noe Valley): It feels like you’re at a friends home for dinner, amazingly prepared classic American/California food – Sonoma lamb, butter lettuce and persimmon salad, roasted brussel sprouts…and a small but great wine list.
• Boulevard: Amazing food and great people watching.
• Bar Tartine - feels like you’re in Europe (love the decor) and the dishes are really impressive – things you could never make at home.
• Town Hall: Fantastic food, great service, and beautiful building.
• Michael Minas: Lobster Pot Pie.  You’ll never be the same again.  (You can get a sm. version for only $20 off the bar menu.
• Jackson Fillmore: Most amazing inventive Italian food.  If you want non-pizza Italian dishes (think salad with endives, fennel, pomegranate seeds, pistachios and prosciuttto) this place is where to go.  Small intimate setting, great wines not tooo bad on the wallet.  The gnocchi is to die for and the owner is a hands on NJ transplant.

• Other recomendations include: Venticello, Chez Maman, Kokkari and Bix.

On the more reasonable side:

• It’s not ridiculously fancy, but my new favorite restaurant in the city is Gamine in the Marina. Amazing, French food, not too expensive, great wine and in a cute little setting. I would eat there every week. *Hint hint… And if you go to Absinthe ask for Aaron, the sommelier… tell him what type of wine you like and how much you want to spend, and he’ll nail it.
• It’s not outrageously expensive but I think Beretta is a great place for dates or special occasions. It has a fun, intimate atmosphere, a menu filled with intriguing flavor combinations and an excellent wine list. (Italian/Mission)
• Contigo: Sort of a tapas style restaurant that’s not actually super $$, but has awesome food and an impressive selection of off-menu wines from time to time
• Outerlands and Trouble Coffee (4001 Judah): So this isn’t exactly fine dining along the lines of Gary Danko, but for a date it’s a perfect opportunity to explore one of the lesser known ‘hoods near Ocean Beach. start your day out with a bike ride through the park and then put your name on the list at Outer Lands. head down to Trouble for a coffee, latte, and cinnamon toast while you wait for your table to open up. after you get seated, choose from Outer Lands’ ever-changing, fully local and organic menu over more freshly-ground coffee or a local beer. hint: open-faced fried egg, bacon, and Gruyère cheese sandwich is amazing.

5a: Best Breakfast: Bar Tartine in the Mission.  Best coffee, they use Four Barrel, and most unique breakfast choices (instead of bacon the other week, my breaky sandwich came with pork jowels- weird but good).  Also they’re master chefs at the bread, chewy crunchy and when dipped to make French Toast- divine!

5b: Best Dessert: I have a massive sweet tooth.  So far I’ve tried and love Citizen Cake – had a quick macarron to go at the new location on Fillmore, it was so rich scrumptious.  I know they also have drinks and food.  Also, love love love the churros/ hot chocolate sauce at Tacolicious.  This place also has amazing tacos, but the price point’s a little higher.

Next time you are struggling to pick a new spot to dine-about-town, you have a lot to pick from. Feel free to pass it along when your friends or out of town guests ask “do you have any restaurant recommendations”. Enjoy!

Big thanks to those of you who contributed restaurant recommendations. Please understand that this is a collection of ideas, opinions and suggestions.  Everyone may not have the same taste, likes or desires. But I suggest you go check them all out and report back. Feel free to comment below if I missed any or you found a new treasure you feel so inclined to share.