San Francisco

Three words: Get the chicken. This San Francisco institution has been in business for more than 35 years and is most famous for its cooked-to-order roast chicken for two. — Where

In the year since my last visit, the restaurant has found its center, and the service has become smooth, understated and seemingly effortless. Saison is now playing in the big leagues. — San Francisco Chronicle

Be prepared to wait your turn for a table behind chef Gary Danko's legion of loyal fans, who typically keep the reservation book chock-full here. — Fodor's

His house-made chickpea ravioli comes in a pepper-spiced squid sauce, and his Roman-style oxtail stew is subtly seasoned with cloves and cinnamon. — Travel + Leisure

A full-fledged tasting menu kind of place, a reservation here is best reserved for a special occasion. — goop

The highly seasonal and obsessively sourced food (some of it is even foraged by chef Patterson) matches the space in sophistication. — Fodor's

"Nostalgics" insist the lively "banter with the owners behind the counter" is the extra sauce sealing its deal as “the Valhalla of seafood." — Zagat

Delfina is a restaurant that has consistently won praise for more than a decade, and it's still tough to get a reservation. — Condé Nast Traveler

Airy, sexy room serves late. — Not For Tourists

Casually sophisticated La Folie remains one of SF's top tables – even after 30 years — Lonely Planet

A converted chapel is a fitting location for a meal that'll turn Italian culinary purists into true believers in Cal-Italian cuisine. — Lonely Planet

While the menu and wine list change daily... the Foreign Cinema in the Mission serves up a full oyster bar and California/Mediterranean-influenced dishes with the movie. — Travel + Leisure

A warm oasis of bread and soup. — Not For Tourists

Dim sum with a Michelin twist—don't miss the signature quail. — Bon Appétit

This is poetic culinaria at its best, complete with poetry for menus, and artsy plating with food served on slabs of bark, slate, and eucalyptus branches. — Frommer's

"Exceptional" staffers who treat everyone "like VIPs" makes this "elegantly appointed" Presidio Heights haunt perfect for "celebrations and milestone events." — Zagat

One of the first restaurants in the city to base its menu around its (outstanding) cocktail program, Beretta is always packed—and for good reason — Where

The Italian-inspired cuisine with farmers ingredients excels at bread-like items, like flatbread and farinata (a chicpea cake). — Fodor's

Authentic, wood-fired rustica Italian cooking that magically balances a few pristine flavors in pastas, tender-to-the-tooth pizzas and rotisserie meats. — Lonely Planet

Must-order items include innovative snacks like sardine chips and porcini doughnuts and creative cocktails. — Where