$$$$
Tasting $165 chef's tastingCalifornianChef Evan and Sarah Rich
Rich Table in San Francisco is Evan and Sarah Rich's one-Michelin-star Hayes Valley room near the opera house, with the city's most-cited house pasta program.
Book3 weeks ahead
TipThe chef-counter tasting is the best seat in the room and adds a hand-rolled pasta supplement.
$$$$
Tasting $155 prix fixeCalifornianChef Mark Sullivan
Spruce in San Francisco is Mark Sullivan's one-Michelin-star Presidio Heights bistro with a dry-aged steak programme, a deep cellar and a cheese trolley.
Book2 weeks ahead
TipThe bar room takes walk-ins; the side-cart cheese trolley is the closing move regardless of where you sit.
$$$$
Tasting $425SeafoodChef Dominique Crenn
Atelier Crenn in San Francisco is Dominique Crenn's three-Michelin-star Cow Hollow flagship, a poetry-of-cuisine vegetable-and-seafood tasting in 30 seats.
Book6 to 8 weeks ahead
TipSit at the chef's counter in the back for a longer hand-off and more conversation with the line.
$$$$
Tasting $398CalifornianChef Richard Lee
Saison in San Francisco is a three-Michelin-star hearth-driven tasting in SoMa, with live-fire seafood and California game over an oak fire.
Book4 to 6 weeks ahead
TipCounter seats face the fire; the four-top tables at the back catch less of the kitchen action.
$$$$
Tasting $365CalifornianChef Michael Tusk
Quince in San Francisco is Michael Tusk's three-Michelin-star Jackson Square room, an Italian-inflected California tasting from the Fresh Run Farm produce.
Book4 to 6 weeks ahead
TipThe neighbouring Cotogna sister room runs the same kitchen at a quarter the price, with walk-in seating.
Benu 3 ★ ★ 4.8
$$$$
Tasting $435KoreanChef Corey Lee
Benu in San Francisco is Corey Lee's three-Michelin-star modern Korean American tasting in SoMa, with a 14-seat counter and a 30-course pace through three.
Book6 to 8 weeks ahead
TipThe bar at sister Monsieur Benjamin takes walk-ins and runs the same culture on a bistro budget.