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San Francisco

Eat/Drink

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Fried Chicken Thursdays at Magnolia Pub & Brewery

Magnolia Pub and Brewery on the world famous Haight Street offers an upscale dining experience at Haight Street prices. The restaurant is open for lunch or dinner weekly and offers brunch on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

You can't go wrong with any of the menu items (plate of pickles anyone?), but the stand out choice is Magnolia's Fried Chicken Thursdays special - a deal that is not to be missed. They serve it up until it's all gone and pair it up with some of their delicious French fries and you'll leave feeling satisfied and smiling.

And don't forget their brews. They have everything from lighter brew to stouts to pair perfectly with a burger or salad. Tuesdays are $3 Tuesdays with all beers for only $3 all day long. Not only is it a great opportunity to try one of the fabulous house beers but a wonderful chance to take in all that Haight Street has to offer.

Magnolia Pub and Brewery is located at 1398 Haight Street.

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Squat and Gobble Satisfys Any Craving

For a delicious and reasonably priced breakfast, lunch or dinner check out one of the Squat and Gobble restaurants in the city. There's something to satisfy everyone's taste buds - from a plethora of dessert and savory crepes to satisfying salads and sandwiches. They also have beer and wine options and several of the locations have patio seating for those sunny San Francisco days - a true treat for city folks.

Be sure to try out their Marina crepe with salmon or the Gobble Club which has turkey with a delightful cranberry aioli sauce. It's like Thanksgiving year round

Squat and Gobble restaurants are conveniently located at five spots around San Francisco. You can grab a bite to eat in Lower or Upper Haight at 237 Fillmore or 1428 Haight Street. There is a location in the Castro at 3600 16th Street, one in West Portal at 1 West Portal right next to the West Portal Station and a large location in the heart of the Marina at 2263 Chestnut.

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Sushi and Burritos Fuse at Sushiritto

sushirrito San Francisco is  known for many things and being the capitol of innovative restaurants is one of them. Sushiritto, located in SOMA, is one of the latest fusion restaurants to hit the city by taking sushi and rolling into a burrito-style roll that is easy to eat on the go. The menu is simple  - they offer six signature rolls including a vegetarian Buddha Boy roll - which combines traditional sushi roll elements with a Mexican flair (think ingredients such as Mexican Kabayaki sauce and melted pepper jack cheese). It's standing room only in the actual shop so head over to Union Square or find a nice bench to enjoy this unique taste of San Francisco. Sushirrito is located at 59 New Montgomery Street in San Francisco.

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Tony’s Pizza Napoletana Serves World Champion Slices

Home to a large Italian-American crowd, any old bloke will tell you that North Beach is the neighborhood to be in if you're looking for a scintillating slice of San Francisco's finest pizza. But with more than a dozen pizzerias within a five block 1radius, how can you tell the run-of-the-mill from the cream-of-the-crop? Leave it to the professionals. Tony's Pizza Napoletana is the dough and marinara of nine-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani — the first American and non-Neapolitan to ever claim the prize for "Best Pizza Margherita." With ingredients imported from Napoli each week alongside produce from local organic farmers and artisan cheese makers, Tony handcrafts his award-winning pizzas in the heart of Little Italy from the same 900-degree, wood-burning oven that catapulted him to fame. Just steps away from Washington Square Park, the full-service restaurant turns out a limit of 73 celebrated medium Margherita crusts a day, fresh-as-can-be ingredients permitting. If you're not one of the chosen ones, you can take your pick of more than 25 other varieties, from truffle to quail egg and speck to the New Jersey-style "Original Tomato Pie." If baked dough isn't your cup of tea, praiseworthy antipasti, pastas, inslata, and dolci also await.

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Yank Sing Delivers Dim Sum on the Ritz

Picture 61If the hustle and the bustle of Chinatown's to-go only dim sum spots makes you feel "lost in translation," but you still have a taste for the Orient, Yank Sing might be just the thing. One of only five restaurants designated "an American classic" with a 2009 James Beard Foundation award — the Oscars of the culinary world — this delightful dining spot is the definitive dim sum house. With unflinching, rapid-fire servings of an exceptional variety of fried and steamed small plates wheeled around in carefully choreographed carts, your only worry will be to know when to stop. Luckily, you can get comfortable sitting back to overeat and taste your terrific tea at a luxe table dressed in white linens — a far cry from the flickering overhead lights and suspended poultry of Stockton Street. Better yet, with prime locations in both the Embarcadero and the Financial District, your hotel suite or business meeting may be just a hobble, skip or jump away.

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Nob Hill’s Amélie Wins With Wine and Ambiance

When in San Francisco, wine and dine as the San Franciscans do. With its sleek, lacquered, red bar and dimly-lit, wine-bottle-shaped sconces, French-owned Aamelie sfmélie is a modern wine lounge with worldly flair. Its extensive wine list globe-trots from California to Europe to South America, and pairs off perfectly with delectable cheese plates, charcuterie, and favorites like Raviole du Royan — stuffed ravioli with chanterelles and Gruyère — and the indulgent grenadine caramelized onion flatbreads. Get cozy on vintage theater seats with a glass of wine for a romantic rendezvous, mingle with chic locals at the bar, or sit down with a booth full of friends at this lively Nob Hill spot. Whether you go stag or you arrive with company, the engaging and lively international staff — all expert sommeliers — are reason enough to stop in for a wine and cheese pairing, and perhaps, sharpen your Française.

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Top Chef’s Ryan Scott Dines at Tommy’s Joynt

San Francisco's "Top Private Chef" Ryan Scott, whom may look familiar from the Top Chef: Chicago season, has strong opinions on what's at the top of the Bay Area's must-sees. "The Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street and Tommy's Joynt should be on everyone's list when visiting San Francisco," Chef Ryan Scott told citybuzz. Tommy's Joynt may seem likePicture 12 the odd man out, but it's got a legend to go along with its legendary following: Tommy's Joynt is the place where Metallica met and first came together. Even as one of San Francisco's older restaurants, lines are generally out the door for the simple, mouth-watering American favorites that even the most sophisticated chefs can't resist. "They let you build your own plate with ingredients from roast beef, turkey, corned beef, braised lamb shank and spaghetti, with sides that remind you of Thanksgiving all year long," Chef Ryan Scott says. And if that weren't enough, there's a bonus to this humble diner joynt: "Did I mention they have over 125  beers to choose from?" So whether it's a liquid diet or a hearty holiday meal you're looking for, Tommy's Joynt has it covered. *** Chef Ryan Scott is a San Francisco-based private chef who has honed his skills at some of San Francisco's best restaurants: Gary Danko, Myth Cafe and Mission Beach Cafe. Chef Ryan Scott was featured on Bravo's Top Chef: Chicago and makes frequent television appearances on The Today Show and Fox & Friends.

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House: Not Your Average Hole in the Wall

Fail to pay attention and you’ll walk right by, but for those who know House it stands out like the TransAmerica building amidst the cliché dim sum depots that define Chinatown.  For over a decade, House has finely presented the best in East-meets-West cuisine for its loyal patrons. Picture 7Always dramatic, Chef Larry Tse’s perfectly balanced towers of food are known to awe.  Set against a sleek neutral atmosphere with slate tiles and simply framed art, his presentations really stand out.  Don’t expect dumplings in a bamboo steamer, they’ll come out arranged around a delicate sauce on a paper-thin layer of beets, and it’s as pleasing to look at as it is to eat. Of course, every restaurant has its signature.  For House, the miso-glazed black sea bass ($24) has a long-standing following; it’s a caramelized slab of perfect white fish draped with a long-biased cut of California roll.  House also performs every operation with military efficiency and precision so you can get in, get out, and enjoy your evening on the town.

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Brenda’s Comfort Food Has French Soul

On the outskirts of the Civic Center district lies San Francisco’s favorite breakfast and brunch hole-in-the-wall, Brenda’s French Soul Food.  On any given day Brenda’s produces a line of adoring patrons around the block, waiting in anticipation among the smells of buttery Cajun shrimp and grits with salty warm biscuits.  ConsPicture 5idering this gem is among the Top 5 Bold Newcomers from the New York Times and one of Travel & Leisure's Top 50 US Restaurants of 2009, the hour wait is no surprise. Since 2007, Brenda Buenviaje has charmed the city with her closet-sized open kitchen, a total of seven tables, and an old-fashioned diner-style counter.  Her New Orleans fare never rises above $10 and the portions are served with a heavy hand and plenty of love. And that’s exactly what you’ll get here, along with the best beignets west of France (try the Godiva chocolate or paprika crawfish).  Wash it all down with Brenda’s special watermelon sweet tea and you’d swear you’re in the French Quarter.

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54 Mint Wine Bar’s Italian Charm

SOMA's new 54 Mint Wine Bar is technically a three-in-one punch of vineria (wine bar), ristorante, and alimentari (food store), but really it's all imported deliciousness. As the only distributor of some of its Italian fine wines to the straight-from-Italy sheep's milk cheese and handmade Italian plates, 54 Mint serves up an authentic Italian meal that tastes even better coming from the hand of the heavily accented servers.

This hotspot is the work of native Umbrian owners Alberto Avalle (of NYC's Il Buco fame) and Claudio Ricciolini- and 54 Mint can't be a better ode to their homeland. Even the famous Umbrian olive oil is sprinkled into nearly every dish and is even displayed beautifully for customers to buy.

During good weather, make sure to hit up the patio for some great people watching in the trendy SOMA district.

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Sushi Gets Jazzed Up at Yoshi’s

Someone forgot to tell the proprietors of Yoshi’s that sushi and jazz are cultural opposites.  Of course its founder and namesake, Yoshie Akiba, is also a fascinating mix.  YoshisOrphaned in Japan during WWII, Yoshie came to Berkeley as a student and opened Yoshi’s with her two best friends. Thirty years later, in its new $10 million setting in the Fillmore District (the “Harlem of the West”), Yoshi’s has earned a reputation as one of the world’s finest jazz venues featuring jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Diana Krall, Max Roach, and Harry Connick Jr. Yoshi’s is also an award-winning restaurant, with Chef Shotaro Kamio presenting modern sushi that he describes as “seasonal, simple, surprise."  You can make dinner reservations in the separate restaurant before the show or enjoy small tapas-style sushi and sake cocktails in the club.  Prices are higher than average, but you’ll appreciate that Yoshi’s serves fresh and thoughtful Japanese cuisine rather than greasy quesadillas and mozzarella sticks. Tickets range from $13 - $100 depending on the performer, and the club seats 420 in its warmly lit acoustic cavern.  The custom sound system, complete with a resident Steinway grand piano, is clear and allows artists to truly be the center of attention.  So feel free to jazz it up with flapper outfits and tailcoats.

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Do You Know the Cha Cha Cha?

Away from the bright tourist lights of North Beach and Union Square, most San Francisco locals head to the Mission District after hours, where one can find the most entertaining fusions of food and nightlife in the city. One of the Bay Guardian Newspaper’s “Best of the Bay” winneSFchachachars several years in a row,  Cha Cha Cha on Mission Street is the perfect way to pre-game your evening.  This neighborhood favorite features an extensive tapas selection, including Platanos Maduros (tropical sweet bananas with black beans and sour cream) and Ceviche Del Dia (seafood in a spicy lime vinagrette).  There are so many favorites from the tapas menu that most groups have no problem compromising on ordering one of each dish!  There is plenty to go around. One thing to be sure of when starting an evening here is ordering a pitcher of Cha Cha Cha’s famous sangria. The bartenders also make a killer Caipirinha, with Cachaca Ypioca (a Brazilian rum), sugar, and fresh lime.  Of course, if the traditional Latin drinks aren’t your thing, the bar has plenty of microbrew beers or sweet cocktails to suit you.

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An Intoxicating Experience at Absinthe

Mix France's passion for the art of dining, Northern Italy's seasonal-inspired menus, and Top Chef Jamie Lauren's cultured American influence and you have an explosion of rich flavor and buttery emotion that lingers on every taste bud long after you leave. Absinthe Brasserie & Absinte cabinetBar in charming Hayes Valley has a vintage french wine list (Wine Spectator 2009's Award of Excellence Winner to be fair) and assortment of fine cheeses alone that will impress even the most discerning of foodies.  Except how could anyone not be further enticed by menu items like Steak Tartare with poached quail egg and habanero or Charoula-Rubbed Lamb Loin with cucumber relish.  Feeling like a French royale? Absinthe serves Tsar Nicoulai Farm-Raised Osetra Caviar for $75 an ounce. In addition to the fine dining, and for the upscale foodie on a budget, Absinthe has a separate Belle Epoque-inspired bar space featuring designer cocktails and cafe style small plates.  Pair the strength of Absinthe's atmosphere with a "Sacred Heart" tequila/absinthe cocktail and this brasserie will have you seeing "la fee verte".

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Castagnola’s is San Francisco’s Waterfront Hotspot

This is undoubtedly Fisherman's Wharf's waterfront hotspot. Balmy breezes rolling right off the San Francisco Bay add to the sheer bliss of the seafood inspired menu at Castagnola's Restaurant. Favorites include fresh specialties like the Cedar Plank King Salmon and Whole Main Lobster, but there's also steaks, lamb, and veal for the meat lovers.

If you like a little sizzle to your meal, Castagnola's offers entertainment like nightly live comedy and jazz during happy hour. There's good food, great entertainment, and sophisticated cocktails-all with a beautiful view- at Castagnola's.

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Coi Is Not For The Shy Eater

Adventurous eaters, welcome! Coi is small and sleek and caters to foodies who want to sample new and exciting flavors. Chef Daniel Patterson's unique dishes include Picture 26Yuba (soy skin) papardelle with coconut milk and curry, sea bream sashimi with white soy, yuzu and chives, caviar sautéed bone marrow with beet gelee, and soft cooked egg yolk with spicy onion relish bacon and parmesean foam. With dishes such as these, it's no surprise he was voted San Francisco Magazine's Chef of the Year 2007. Coi prides itself in using only the best ingredients in the dishes. Coi searches high and low, locally of course, to find cultivated plants grown from heirloom seeds; wild-harvested leaves, flowers, barks and roots; seaweeds and coastal grasses, and more. Coi insists its guests are served nothing short of the best that San Francisco has to offer.

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La Folie

This small french restaurant is just the right size. The intimate atmosphere is a great spot to take your family for a real treat. The dining room is a little bit of luxury with beautiful woodworking, plenty of mirrors and gorgeous drapes. Choose from french favorites like quail and foie gras lollipops, roasted rabbit or sauteed halibut. There are also plenty of vegetarian options if you'd rather stay that route.

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Cliff House

The Terrace Room's wall to wall windows reveal a delicious panorama of Ocean Beach and the Pacific Ocean to diners who can momentarily tear themselves from their plates. This House specializes in sure-fire seafood and serves up live harp music on Sundays, when brunch is more of a banquet with options like poached salmon and prawns.

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