SAN FRANCISCO DINING: IN FINE TASTE

In San Francisco, the world converges in a global village. Exotic aromas percolate among the city’s avenues, and European and Asian lifestyles join together as in no other place on American soil. Creative chefs are forever inventing totally new dishes and menus—and this earns the city top gourmet ratings. Many of San Francisco’s most popular restaurants are also its most attractive venues. There’s Slanted Door, with its view across the Bay Bridge, or the vegetarian Greens Restaurant with a view over the Golden Gate Bridge. Farallon is styled like an underwater landscape, guests at the Foreign Cinema can watch cult films while dining, and in the Bix there is live jazz in art deco surroundings. Mecca or Aziza are perfect locations for romantic evenings, while Bacar, Tartare or Town Hall provide appropriate settings for business dinners and Cortez is perfect for the theater district. At Andalu guests can enjoy a sumptuous meal at a fair price. The dance floor at nearby hotspot Asia SF offers the perfect place to work off the calories. Here we toast the city’s most stylish dining spots.

Bacar
448 Brannan St, South Beach 415-904-4100 Design: Zack Devito Chef: Adam Timney Owners: Arnold Eric Wong, Debbie Zachareas Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5:30pm–11pm, Fri–Sat 5:30pm–midnight, Sun 5:30pm–10pm Average price: $30 Cuisine: Californian-based with a Mediterranean influence Special features: Live jazz www.bacarsf.com

Cortez
550 Geary St, Downtown 415-292-6360 Design: Michael Brennan Chefs: Quinn and Karen Hatfield Owner: Pascal Rigo Opening hours: Breakfast Mon–Fri 6:30am–10am, Sat–Sun 6:30am–11am; dinner every day 5:30pm–10:30pm; bar open until 1am Average price: $45 Cuisine: Creative Mediterranean, Californian Special Features: Private dining, bar and lounge www.cortezrestaurant.com

Andalu
3198 16th St, Mission 415-621-2211 Design: Julie Brown, Margo Chrishitiello Chef and owner: Calvin Schneiter Opening hours: Sun–Tue 5:30pm–10pm, Wed–Thu 5:30pm–11pm, Fri–Sat 5:30pm–11:30pm Average price: $9 per small plate Cuisine: Californian, international Special features: Selected wine list, wine dinners and events www.andalusf.com

Coca-Cola Braised Spare Ribs from Andalu restaurant
2 spareribs (8 ribs each) Salt and pepper 4 T vegetable oil 20oz Coca-Cola 30oz chicken stock 2 T butter

Season the ribs with salt and pepper and fry them in hot oil for about 5 minutes. Remove the ribs from the pot and add the Coca-Cola. Reduce the liquid to ¼ of its volume. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Place ribs in a large roasting pan and cover with hot liquid. Braise in a pre-heated 350°F oven for 2 hours, or until tender. Remove from the oven and let the ribs cool in the liquid. When cool, remove the ribs and cut them into individual pieces. Strain the braising liquid and reduce it to approximately 1/5 of its volume. Stir in the butter and season, if necessary. To serve, reheat the ribs in the oven and coat with a little sauce.

Tartare
550 Washington St, Financial District 415-434-3100 Design: Michael Brennan Chef: George Morrone Sommelier: Paul Einbund Owners: George Morrone, Aabi Shapoorian Opening hours: Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30am– 2pm; dinner Mon–Thu 5:30pm–10pm, Fri–Sat 5:30pm–11pm Menu price: $55 Cuisine: Modern French Special features: Exclusive wine list created by a trio of sommeliers www.tartarerestaurant.com www.michaelbrennandesign.com

Pineapple Brown Butter Tart from Tartare restaurant
6oz butter ½ vanilla bean 3 eggs 6oz brown sugar 3oz corn syrup 1 pinch of salt 2oz flour 4 slices fresh pineapple

Melt the butter over a medium heat until light brown. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla bean. Whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Add the flour and brown butter to the egg mixture. Remove the vanilla bean. Pour into four small, greased, circular baking dishes and top with a slice of pineapple. Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream and pineapple chutney.

Farallon
450 Post St, Union Square 415-956-6969
Design: Pat Kuleto Chef: Mark Franz Owner: Mark Franz, Pat Kuleto Opening hours: Lunch Tue–Sat 11:30am– 2:30pm; bistro Tue–Sat 2:30pm–5pm; dinner Mon–Thu 5:30pm–10pm, Fri–Sat 5:30pm–11pm, Sun 5pm–10pm Average price: $32
Cuisine: Coastal cuisine Special features: Daily changing menu www.farallonrestaurant.com

Cool Restaurants San Francisco
is out November (teNeues Publishing Group, $14.95 plus $3.95 postage). To order call 800-352-0305. www.teneues.com

WORDS KATHARINA FEUER
IMAGES MARTIN NICHOLAS KUNZ