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MediterraneanThe Mission
Foreign Cinema in San Francisco is the Mission's open-air courtyard room from Gayle Pirie and John Clark, with a film projected on the back wall after dark.
OrderBrunch fried chicken with cornmeal waffle, between a 10:30 oyster start.
TipBrunch on a sunny Saturday is the move; book the courtyard, not the indoor room.
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CaliforniaHayes Valley
Rich Table in San Francisco is Sarah and Evan Rich's Hayes Valley California room near the opera house, holding a Michelin star and a strong house pasta menu.
OrderPorcini doughnuts with raclette for the table; the dish that put the room on the map.
TipThe bar seats see the whole pass; book one of the two and order the chef-counter pasta supplement.
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ThaiSoma Yerba Buena
Kin Khao in San Francisco is Pim Techamuanvivit's Michelin-starred Thai room near Union Square, with regional cooking far from the safe pad thai script.
OrderThe rabbit green curry over jasmine rice; the dish that won the Michelin star.
TipThe bar pours a sharp Riesling list; ask for the off-menu cold larb when it is available.
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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.