District

Filling a void in SOMA

By Genevieve Robertson

Remember when fondue was all the rage and not only could you find it on most menus but restaurants also started popping up that were entirely devoted to the dipping craze? Well, wine bars seem to be the newest fashion, especially those that offer small plates to nosh on. While wine and gooey cheese dips are different ends of the longevity scale, this recent outcropping still begs the question: does every neighborhood need its own wine bar … or two? MORE

Sutra

Lounging in South Beach

By Sarah Sung

Baraka, Chez Papa, and Chez Maman welcomed a new sister restaurant in October 2006 when the exotic French-Asian restaurant-lounge Sutra opened in the space that was once La Suite (and Slanted Door before that). Sutra is a decidedly different endeavor for Jocelyn Bulow, and after a somewhat rocky start with chef switches and name changes, Sutra has emerged with seductive décor and a menu that offers a bit of something for everyone. MORE

Cav Wine Bar & Kitchen

Get Wined and Dined

By Sarah Sung

It's no surprise that Cav would boast an exceptional wine list (upwards of 300 bottles) covering a broad spectrum of tastes and regions (roughly 70). But what might be a shocker is that this year-old nook of a wine bar also serves a Cal-Mediterranean-comfort food-inspired menu that might tempt you away from what could end up being a liquid-diet-kind-of-night. MORE

Pres a Vi

Hit-and-Miss Global Small Plates in the Presidio

By Chrissy Loader

Joining the nearby Presidio Social Club and La Terrasse, Walnut Creek's Va de Vi restaurant family opened Pres a Vi in December 2006. Serving a hit-and-miss mix of Spanish, Filipino, French, Italian and Latin American small plates -- and a grand selection of wines -- Pres a Vi struggles to meet the high expectations inherent to its location. MORE

Little Star, Patxi's and Zachary's

Divine Deep-dish

By LaWand Mathern

For those who have never made it to Chicago, home of the famous deep-dish pizza, the Bay Area has been adorned with a few pizza joints that would make any Chicagoan think twice. We surveyed the inch-thick pies at SF newcomers Little Star and Patxi's, then stopped by the East Bay's old standby, Zachary's. MORE

Umami

The Marina's New Flavor Profile

By Sarah Sung

Flavor is often described in four ways: bitter, sour, salty, and sweet. But there's a fifth, more eclectic element that Japanese call "umami," and this is where the new restaurant in the old Yoshida-Ya space comes in. A clever endeavor, Umami incorporates tastes from Japan, Thailand, Korea, and Vietnam to create a "best of" list in a manner that strives to recreate classic dishes. MORE

Saha

Arabic Fusion in a Hidden Oasis

By Nish Nadaraja

One of the first things one notices about Saha is what there is not to notice. There is no street presence, since it's tucked away inside the Hotel Carlton (part of the Joie de Vivre boutique hotel chain, and situated next door to SF Station favorite Brick). Chances are you just don't stumble upon Saha; someone has to recommend it, or you just have to know, and that's part of the allure. MORE

La Cocina

Cooking From Scratch to Success

By Gloria Tai

It’s Saturday morning at the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market. Amidst the sea of local produce and meat purveyors, one booth in particular has become the darling of them all, just two months after its introduction to the market. Walk into La Cocina's booth, and you will find unique and delicious prepared foods that range from South African meat puffs to homemade plantain chips to Brazilian honey cakes. MORE

The Alembic

Local Loving Elixir in the Upper Haight

By Chrissy Loader

From the folks at Magnolia Brewing Company comes one of the most inviting spots you'll find in the Upper Haight, The Alembic. Boasting a "local loving" motto, which means not only a creative, super-upscale pub menu favoring regional ingredients but also a selection of local beers on tap (including Magnolia's own). The Alembic is an elixir for those seeking a mellow spot for drinks and eats in the Haight. MORE

Two

Double Your Pleasure

By Karen Solomon

It's an old school SF dining address with modern lacquer; it's novel and casual Cal-American cuisine with a silver-haired clientele. It's Two, the latest incarnation of Hawthorne Lane, and it's two restaurants in one. After 22 Hawthorne Lane's namesake reign of over twelve years, this reinvented eatery has received a youthful makeover. MORE