One of the things I love about living in the Bay Area is all the great restaurants, from Mexican to Indian, French to Italian – whatever you’re craving you’ll be sure to find it here. We get a lot of people visiting us and they always want to know where to eat. There are so many great restaurants that choosing my favorites was a difficult process. However, I’ve managed to narrow it down to the following:

Red Door

This is a teeny-tiny restaurant which serves the most delectable brunch. The place is filled with fun curiosities and the owner treats each plate like a work of art. Go early and be prepared to wait. It’s worth it!

Brenda’s French Soul Food

The line is insane but if you’re craving shrimp & grits this is the place to come to. We always order a plate of beignets to share and you can’t go wrong with their watermelon ice tea.

Minako Organic Japanese Restaurant

Minako is run by a mother and daughter team who craft authentic Japanese food. Fresh sushi, inventive vegan options and friendly service – what more can one ask for? Don’t forget to check out the jars of pickled ume on the way to the restroom.

Cafe Jacqueline

This place serves souffles of all types – seafood, mushroom, chocolate – and only souffles. Each one is lovingly made to order by Chef Jacqueline, a French transplant who has made it her mission to bring back the art of the souffle. The souffles are huge so be sure to share. You can even visit Jacqueline in the open kitchen to watch her hard at work whipping eggs.

R&G Lounge

We always order the same thing when we come to R&G – their famous salt & pepper crabs, fried rice and a side of greens. To really enjoy your crabs you’ll want to use your hands! They make some lethal and yummy cocktails too.

Kabuto

The best sushi in San Francisco. Enough said.

Hooker’s Sweet Treats

Don’t let the misleading name throw you off, this teeny cafe only serves sinful delights of the chocolate variety. I’m a big fan of their sea salted caramels.

Foreign Cinema

What could be more fun than sitting in an outdoor courtyard on a gorgeous summer night while a black & white film plays in the background? I love going for pre-dinner drinks at the bar attached and peeking in at the rotating art in the gallery space. For some after dinner entertainment pop across the road into Doc’s Clock for a game of shuffleboard.

Pizzeria Delfina

For the perfect thin crust pizza look no further than Delfina. I love the Margherita and their meatballs are pretty awesome too. If you have room for dessert pop into Tartine bakery next door.

Ha Nam Ninh

This is a hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese place located in the Tenderloin. Don’t let the humble exterior throw you off; this place serves the most incredible noodles. The key is to order the #25 Dry on their secret menu. It’s a heady concoction of shrimp, calamari and chicken paired with slippery rice noodles. Don’t forget to add the fried garlic they have in small jars on each table.

Nick’s Crispy Tacos

This place makes the most amazing fish tacos but it’s the corn on the cob I keep coming back for. It’s slathered with a peppery cheese sauce and is a meal in itself.

I have to have a cup (or two) of coffee everyday and am pretty luck to live in a place that has some of the best. Sightglass, Blue Bottle and Four Barrel are my favorites.

Bi-rite Creamery

One of my favorites things to do on a sunny afternoon is to sit in Dolores Park with a scoop of Bi-Rite salted caramel ice-cream. It’s a reminder of why the simplest things in life are often the best.

Bon Appetit!