This is a RSS file. Copy the URL into your aggregator of choice. If you don't know what this means and want to learn more, please see: http://platial.typepad.com/news/2006/04/really_simple_t.html for more info. http://platial.comhttp://platial.com/map/San-Francisco-Joints/10620 Many have wondered where I actually go in The City and when I travel around the world...some have even asked...but even if you haven't, it's finally here...my favorite experiences in the San Francisco Bay Area, and my favorite joints around the world. This is my guide to the best places to eat, drink, and tour in The City. And yes...there is only one city here, and if you have to ask, hit the back button on your browser now. I've tried all these places myself, and they are all fantastic, so don't ask which place I like best. This list is still in progress, many more to come soon. For more ideas, mistersf.com has a lot of great other ideas as he combs the City for interesting joints. http://platial.com/post/2202781
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]]> 2007-10-27 16:45:26.217344+00:00 http://platial.com/post/2214854
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]]> 2007-10-29 20:27:11.921999+00:00 http://platial.com/post/2214950
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]]> 2007-10-29 20:35:38.808687+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448723
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]]> 2006-10-25 10:47:49.265702+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448657
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]]> 2006-10-24 15:00:01.509959+00:00 http://platial.com/post/2438236 2007-11-23 09:33:38.60278+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448584 Reservations (OpenTable.com) One of my favorite California cuisine restaurants...great mix of food, with really interesting flavor pairings you'd never expect. The chef mixes in a bit of creole and soul food with excellent prepared meat and fish dishes. A couple of my favorite dishes are: * Barbequed Shrimp, Worstershire and parsely garlic sauce (starter) * Sweet onion and blue cheese fondue with fingerling potatoes, asparagus and cauliflower (starter) * Faith's warm Smithfield ham and cheese toast with poached egg and jalapeno cream (starter) * Sauteed day boat scallops with smoked andouille sausage jambalaya, basmati rice and crab butter * Slow-roasted duck with toasted wild rice, pecans, spiced dates and gingersnap gravy Great wine bar as well. Some great choices: * Rose, Jean-Luc Colombo, "Côte Bleue", Côte-du-Rhône, Rhône, France, 04 * Tempranillo, Rioja, 2002 (this was one of my favorite wines)

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]]> 2006-10-28 08:06:05.110587+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448593
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]]> 2006-10-29 07:01:20.522903+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448647 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Charming atmosphere...sister restaurant to Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. Very affordable and romantic, yet still casual, a great option compared to pricier Jardiniere and Masa's. If you couldn't tell, I love French food!

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:54:04.090729+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448663
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]]> 2006-10-25 10:53:18.669966+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448734
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]]> 2006-10-24 16:23:50.779845+00:00 http://platial.com/post/449287
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]]> 2006-10-25 21:40:24.228998+00:00 http://platial.com/post/449312
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]]> 2006-10-25 22:49:52.747712+00:00 http://platial.com/post/449654
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]]> 2006-10-26 14:00:01.567764+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448587 Reservations (OpenTable.com) High end French cuisine for those of you needing a good Foie Gras fix. Great romantic dinner place.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:55:49.316209+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448773 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Elegant contemporary dining, French and American cuisine. I have to say they had some of the most innovative flavor blends, wonderful starters, and in particular very interesting sorbets for dessert.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:39:11.207407+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448865 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Another neighborhood joint of mine....great wine bar and jazz joint, and oh yeah the food is quite good. Not the best value for the money for entrees, but appetizers and pizzas are great. Overall a great experience.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:39:04.508526+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448583 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Awesome tapas style food from the chef from Rose Pistola. Fun environment.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:47:19.074647+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448563 Reservations (OpenTable.com) First true Tequila bar in the City. Try the Reposado Tequila Flights. Great deal, and you'll get to try all sorts of Tequilas you've never had. And yes....Tequila is a sipping drink. Food is "just OK" not great for the price. Very fresh ingredients, just not that inventive.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:57:28.673962+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448578
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]]> 2006-11-09 09:59:14.63149+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448589 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Super Italian food, not your typical North Beach place. Amazing wood fired pizza crust and very well prepared meat dishes. One of the city's most famous restaurants now.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:57:53.38596+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448591 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Recognized as possibly the best Italian restaurant in the country, and I absolutely can't disagree. Make sure you go as a very small crowd, it's very difficult to get the same experience with a large party. Surprisingly inexpensive for the quality, and an absolutely stunning Italian wine list...make sure to try the Lambrusco if they have it, it has finally matured as a sparkling red wine of quality and is delightful. My last visit really was exquisite, their salumi that is locally dry aged is fantastic, as is their prosciutto selection. If you've never experienced Burrata cream filled Mozarella, you're in for a particular treat. Also a fantastic Bergamont Orange sorbet (think Earl Grey tea) for dessert that was astonishing in flavor and creativity. You simply won't find boring Italian food, simply put you will have the finest flavor balancing and perfectly cooked meats, homemade pizzas and pastas as well.

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]]> 2007-01-13 19:30:54.251651+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448594 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Excellent Cucina Latina...very creative and fresh food, not your typical latin american fair. Everything is amazing, and don't forget to try to the plantains! Great pitchers of Sangria, always a favorite.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:47:01.369621+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448596 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Very good ambience...all concrete building inside of an old theater space. On the outside patio, black and white foreign films are projected on the wall. Great california fusion cuisine. Don't forget to stop in the adjoining bar outside, Laszlo's Bar, it's a Russian Communist style bar, and they serve great cocktails.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:54:43.345934+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448631 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Excellent California cuisine with a side of Italian....a De Niro-Coppola joint venture restaurant. Pricey, but worth a vist!

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:54:20.616865+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448643 Reservations (OpenTable.com) High end contemporary seafood, very romantic ambience. Pricey, but a must try in the City.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:54:12.538607+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448661
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]]> 2006-10-25 10:45:35.925713+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448666
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]]> 2006-10-25 10:52:17.644224+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448716
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]]> 2006-10-25 10:49:05.820882+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448726 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Newer "super restaurant" serving wonderul Mediterranean cuisine, certainly one of the top Med restaurants in the Bay Area. Also a lovely bar area with Jazz music regularly, eating off the bar menu and tuning out is just great here. Started by the chef of Rose Pistola.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:47:35.219441+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448729
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]]> 2007-01-13 20:24:48.665139+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448738 Reservations (OpenTable.com) OK...so I'm not one to recommend hotels for food, but this new Ritz Carlton is a gem....visually stunning with views overlooking Half Moon Bay with waves crashing into the dramatic cliffs...and has THE BEST BRUNCH I've ever tasted at the restaurant Navio. While pricey, it's an experience not to be missed. Also, the golf course is not to be missed for all you golfers.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:42:48.284788+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448769 Reservations (OpenTable.com) OK, so this is hardly a pub, but it is really a charming high end French and California cuisine twist on pub food with a great wine list. An excellent find in the hills of Woodside. A nice stop off after wine tasting in the Santa Cruz mountains.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:40:09.003657+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448770 Reservations (OpenTable.com) This is the place to start or end a classy evening...dimly lit romantic room where you can get bubbles, strawberries and chocolate! Best to reserve (yes even for drinks) in order to get a couch area to relax and drink your very expensive champagne cocktails.

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:39:59.289019+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448960 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Wonderful Moroccan and Mediterranean food with a california influence in an absolutely fabulously cool environment. One of my favorites for inventive food, and a great time. And yes...they do have belly dancers!

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]]> 2006-10-25 10:38:53.820949+00:00 http://platial.com/post/448965 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Great southern Italian comfort food in a warm family style environment serving mid-size groups on long tables. Lots of great fall flavors, butternut squash, homemade pasta dishes.

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]]> 2006-12-10 12:39:46.532742+00:00 http://platial.com/post/449299 Reservations (OpenTable.com) One of the most celebrated restaurants in the country, Masa's delivers the highest end French cuisine comparing with Chez Panisse and the French Laundry. Of course with quality...comes price! For special occasions and romantic moments, Masa's can't be beat.

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]]> 2006-10-25 21:50:24.613122+00:00 http://platial.com/post/449300 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Urban cozy comfort food....soul food with a california cuisine twist. You'll love the leather on the walls and the clean design lines in the restaurant making a vibrant but relaxed atmosphere in a slow food tradition. Only local produce used, and used creatively. Close to the ballpark, this is a warm and comforting with very creative dishes.

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]]> 2006-10-25 21:58:58.69916+00:00 http://platial.com/post/794786
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]]> 2006-11-01 20:40:01.772744+00:00 http://platial.com/post/794959
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]]> 2006-11-02 10:24:53.573092+00:00 http://platial.com/post/839766 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Lounge styled restaurant is an understatement, down to the thumping music...but my interests stopped at the decor and ambiance, as the food was highly overpriced for comparable quality in the city, and the service was rude. Bottom line, hip joint, but too pricey for the food delivery.

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]]> 2007-02-18 18:33:19.84042+00:00 http://platial.com/post/839769 Reservations (OpenTable.com)

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]]> 2006-12-17 18:09:13.868986+00:00 http://platial.com/post/856383
So what the heck was I thinking having this on my 'places to try" list for so long? Seriously folks, this place absolutely gives A16 a run for its money as the best Italian in SF....but more importantly with a native Sardinian chef and family run business, the food specialization is like nothing else you'll find stateside. Discover this for yourself! The wine list is second to none, everything is amazing on the menu, and the desserts are fantastic. If there's one place on my Platial to go to, this is it, congratulations on finding my easter egg! :)

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]]> 2007-03-18 15:50:06.874935+00:00 http://platial.com/post/863668 SF Gate Wine Bars #1 SF Gate Wine Bars #2

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]]> 2006-12-10 12:19:12.861559+00:00 http://platial.com/post/863674 SF Gate Wine Bars #1 SF Gate Wine Bars #2

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]]> 2007-01-13 19:35:53.760212+00:00 http://platial.com/post/865322
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]]> 2007-02-11 12:08:54.330276+00:00 http://platial.com/post/869369
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]]> 2007-02-11 17:15:51.692358+00:00 http://platial.com/post/869371
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]]> 2007-02-11 17:37:15.347808+00:00 http://platial.com/post/869372
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]]> 2006-12-16 06:39:28.591296+00:00 http://platial.com/post/869373
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]]> 2006-12-16 06:43:22.957558+00:00 http://platial.com/post/870796 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Sexy lounge styled restaurant, great bead curtains. Food is good quality, but expensive. Circa turns into a happening bar/lounge after 10 or so, keep your table until late in the evening to have a place to sit and hold court. Good small plates: Poached shrimp, sliders, mac and cheese, fat-iron steak.

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]]> 2006-12-17 18:03:02.163437+00:00 http://platial.com/post/874426 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Named after a famous pub in the UK, the folks from Town Hall have certainly upscaled the pub with Town hall. Housed in wonderfully restored old publishing house featuring the original brick, wood floors and metal and wood beams, it's a warm and inviting environment. The food is a great mix of casual style French and California cuisine...you must start with the Canadian styled Poutine which is potato wedges fried and covered with fontina and an rich beef gravy. Also had a wonderful Monk fish with Chard and braised Ox sauce, amazing Winter Squash soup with sage oil, and Pork Belly with Poached Egg on a mixed salad...overall each dish was very well balanced and creative "warm" flavors you won't typically find at restaurants in San Francisco. Very creative wine list, we had the Royal Tokaji from Hungary, a nice change. Most recent trip, I went the shellfish route, SH has an excellent selection of very fresh oysters. Also had the baked oysters which were good, but not great. Started with a white bean soup topped with pesto which was wonderful and very well balanced. The dungeness crab salad has an amazingly fresh appeal and is drenched in a great olive oil dressing. The foie gras torchon was quite good quality and matched with an excellent apricot reduction. Service was extraordinary, rare for a new restaurant to be this well tuned. Very catering as well to my young daughter who joined, made us feel at home.

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]]> 2007-02-11 17:22:32.755349+00:00 http://platial.com/post/912421
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]]> 2007-01-13 20:22:29.445488+00:00 http://platial.com/post/941731 Chronicle Review

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]]> 2007-02-11 17:31:00.179631+00:00 http://platial.com/post/1155370 Chronicle review

Phone: (415) 409-3276

Hearty soul food in the bustling downtown financial district...very hip atmosphere.

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]]> 2007-04-07 07:43:42.096404+00:00 http://platial.com/post/839752 Reservations (OpenTable.com)

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]]> 2006-12-17 18:11:53.567778+00:00 http://platial.com/post/839776 Reservations (OpenTable.com) Fantastic traditional Basque food with flair, a nice change from the typical French cuisine in the city. Definitely have the Piperade with poached eggs and cured ham. The wine list carries wonderful Basque Txacolina wines.

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]]> 2006-12-17 18:08:18.329578+00:00 http://platial.com/post/912404
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]]> 2007-01-13 19:59:41.750822+00:00 http://platial.com/post/2528416
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]]> 2007-12-22 09:53:53.316311+00:00