Californian cooking is the thing San Francisco genuinely does better than anywhere: seasonal, ingredient-led, unfussy. These are the rooms I keep going back to, and the exact dishes I order in each.
The most beautiful and romantic restaurant in the city. The indoor dining room is stunning, and the outdoor space with the movie is its most unique feature. The food is consistently good and seasonal. Start with oysters, then a picnic dish and some appetizers. Go for the fried chicken (sometimes it's roast chicken) or the steak. For dessert: if they have the chèvre cheesecake, get that — if not, the birthday cake is amazing. Ask for the big wine list if you're a wine lover.
Consistent food. My usual: jumbo shrimp (very large, very tasty, and I can't find them like this anywhere else), artichoke dip, smoked salmon, and a ribeye with no sauce plus a side of broccolini. The crab cake is super tasty — chunky, not bready.
Dim sum carts and California food — a unique concept, and a great one. Creative, tasty dishes. Smoked trout and pork belly are my favorites off the cart, but don't forget to order the sauerkraut pancake, the state bird, and the world peace peanut milk.
