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AmericanSoma Yerba Buena
Marlowe in San Francisco is the Anna Weinberg and Jennifer Puccio bistro south of Market, with one of the city's most reliable burgers and a Brussels sprout.
OrderThe Marlowe burger, on a Pretzel bun with Cabot cheddar.
TipSit at the bar and ask for the burger plus the kale Caesar; that is the full Marlowe order.
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AmericanLower Pac Heights
Liholiho Yacht Club in San Francisco is Ravi Kapur's Hawaiian-leaning room above the Tenderloin, with one of the city's strongest fun-dinner energies.
OrderTuna poke with sesame nori chips, followed by spam fried rice.
TipThe bar room takes walk-ins; the dining room is two months out.
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BurmeseRichmond
Burma Superstar in San Francisco is the Clement Street Burmese room that taught the city to eat lahpet thoke; the tea leaf salad is the order.
OrderThe tea leaf salad, tossed table-side with crunchy lentils and fried garlic.
TipNo reservations; put your name in then walk down Clement to B Star for tea while you wait.
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SeafoodCastro Noe Valley
Anchor Oyster Bar in San Francisco is a 22-seat Castro counter that has served Dungeness, cioppino and clam chowder the same way since 1977.
OrderThe cioppino in season, with a side of garlic bread.
TipNo bookings; arrive at 16:30 for the early seating or after 21:00 when the line thins.
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SeafoodLower Pac Heights
Swan Oyster Depot in San Francisco is a Polk Street counter that has served cold-house Dungeness, oysters and clam chowder since 1912 in 18 stools.
OrderCrab Louie and a half-dozen Marin Miyagis on the half shell.
TipOpen 10:30-17:00 only; queue forms at 09:45 on a weekend, takes an hour at peak.
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AmericanEmbarcadero
Tadich Grill in San Francisco is California's oldest continuously running restaurant, opened in 1849 in the Financial District, still grilling over mesquite.
OrderSand dabs grilled over mesquite, or the Hangtown Fry at lunch.
TipNo reservations except for parties of six or more; lunch counter seats turn over fastest.