My old and new favorites in San Francisco

Delfina Restaurant

How do I begin to share how much I enjoy dining out in San Francisco? First of all, the eclectic food scene is just overwhelming that I have to keep updating my restaurant list. Secondly, there is always one restaurant that will suit whatever mood you’re in. Thirdly, not only do these great places never tire of churning out inventive dishes but also classics that don’t fall under “boring and bland”. Lastly, high end restaurants are not the only ones that offer the best gastronomic experience. We have dive bars, food trucks and hole in the wall restaurants that could satisfy even our haughtiest foodie friends.

My old and new favorites:

– Broken Record – this dive bar in the Excelsior district serves Southern-style cuisine like Pulled Pork sandwich, crawfish and grits, duck confit potato skins to name a few.

– Delfina (Ristorante and Pizzeria) – my all-time favorite Italian restaurant in the Mission.  Their spaghetti and grilled Monterey Bay sardines are must-orders at Delfina.

– Tipsy Pig – one of our finest gastropubs located in the Marina district. Fun place for friends to enjoy great food and beer (cocktails, too)

– Gialina – this small Italian restaurant in Glen Park always leave me satisfied. I never get tired of ordering their wild nettles, pancetta, mushroom and provolone and amatriciana thin crust pizzas madame style (fried egg on top).

– Little Star Pizza – Thanks to my friend Paul, I have rediscovered my affections for deep dish pizza thru Little Star. They have 2 restaurants in the city. We like the one in the Mission.

– La Ciccia – my new Italian favorite. This Sardinian gem is located in Bernal Heights and offers traditional Sardinian fares like octopus stew in spicy tomato sauce and spaghetti with Bottarga. It’s small and noisy with a neighborhood feel to it. Thanks to my friend, Iyara for taking me here and sharing a bottle of that refreshing prosecco.

– Mission Beach Cafe – this upbeat cafe in the Mission has a superb breakfast menu (MBC pancakes with bourbon syrup is yum), great coffee and passionate associates who make diners feel important and comfortable.

– Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack – this place in Bernal Heights is indeed a shack, with colorful aprons hanging overhead, old posters and universal 🙂 clientele. Its big, heaping bowl of spaghetti with 3 giant, juicy meatballs for $12.95 makes up for the small and confined space of the dining room. This one dish is best shared by 2 people or food coma will be your end.

– Incanto – their exceptionally executed head-to-tail dinner turned meats and offal into a a culinary delight. They’re not just your regular peasant food anymore. Incanto is located on 1550 Church St. in Noe Valley.

– Tartine – the best pain au chocolat in San Francisco (18th Street and Guerrero)

– Irving Cafe and Deli Too – the service here is a hit-or-miss but their pho bo, bahn mi Viet Nam and egg rolls & BBQ beef with vermicelli (to name a few) compensate for the lack of personality. I love coming back here because the service is fast, reasonably priced and clean. 

– Hard Knox Cafe – Their Dogpatch and Richmond restaurants offer the same treats and my favorites are fried chicken, mac & cheese, collard greens and yam. Their 3-piece chicken plus 2 sides could render anyone catatonic (LOL) from consuming this much food.

– L’Osteria del Forno – this cash-only Italian restaurant in North Beach changes their menu almost every day but it never ceases to create delicious authentic Italian dishes. The service could use more warmth but I forgive them every time I eat here.

– Submarine Center – whenever I have a hankering for a meatball sandwich or Philly steak, I go to Submarine Center in West Portal and nowhere else. Even if I have to park 10 blocks, I’ll come here and enjoy a meat ball sandwich. I’ve been coming here for over 10 years and they still make them like they used to.

– San Tung – Thanks again to my friend, Paul for this wonderful suggestion. They have the best chicken wings here and fried wontons. This Chinese restaurant is located on Irving St. between 11th and 12th Sts.

– Mandalay Restaurant – I enjoyed this restaurant more so than Burma Superstar (hope I don’t start a backlash here with my heretic statement about Burma Superstar). Thanks to my friend, Evangelina for taking me here.

– Cha Cha Cha – this place in the Haight (there is one in the Mission and in San Mateo)  is still very dear to me after all these years. Great tapas and sangria!