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New AmericanThe Mission
Lazy Bear in San Francisco is David Barzelay's two-Michelin-star Mission tasting room run as a dinner party for 40 guests across two communal tables.
OrderThe bread course with the cultured butter; ten years on it is still the marker.
TipTickets release on the 1st of each month for 60 days out; sign up to the email waitlist for advance notice.
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Modern Mexican TastingSoma Yerba Buena
Californios in San Francisco is Val Cantu's two-Michelin-star modern Mexican tasting room, 16 seats, the most cerebral table in the city right now.
OrderWhatever the corn course is on the night; the kitchen sources nixtamal heirloom corns directly.
TipThere is only one seating a night; book six weeks out for any Friday or Saturday.
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Cantonese Dim SumSoma Yerba Buena
Yank Sing in San Francisco is the Chan family's Cantonese dim sum institution since 1958, with a SoMa flagship and weekend lines that run to 90 minutes.
OrderShanghai dumplings: the kitchen's most-ordered cart item for decades.
TipThe Stevenson Street original is smaller and quieter; book the Spear Street flagship only if you want carts.
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CaliforniaCastro Noe Valley
Frances in San Francisco is Melissa Perello's Castro neighbourhood room, holding a Michelin star with a 40-seat dining room and a wine list priced.
OrderApplewood-smoked bacon beignets with maple chive cream.
TipReservations open 30 days out at 10:00; the bar room takes walk-ins from 17:30.
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Italian SeafoodNorth Beach
Scoma's in San Francisco is the 1965 Pier 47 seafood room at Fisherman's Wharf, with the Lazy Man's cioppino served from a 60-year-old family recipe.
OrderLazy Man's cioppino, with the shells pre-cracked by the kitchen.
TipReservations open 30 days out; the bar takes walk-ins from 12:00 and is the best seat for a single diner.
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CantoneseRichmond
Dragon Beaux in San Francisco is a 2015 Outer Richmond room from the Koi Palace family, with modern dim sum at lunch and Cantonese hot pot at dinner.
OrderThe Five Guys xiao long bao (five colours, five flavours) and the BBQ pork puff with apple.
TipDim sum is lunch-only; book ahead for weekend brunch or arrive before 11:30 for a walk-in seat.