San Francisco Food Tour - 2

Bonus: 5 Top San Francisco Dining Experiences

If you don’t have time to take an In the Kitchen with Lisa tour, here are five not-to-be-missed restaurant experiences that Rogovin recommends for your next San Francisco vacation.

Kokkari. Upscale Greek cuisine.
“I love this restaurant so much I got married there,” says Rogovin. She insists on ordering an assortment of the spreads—taramosalata, melitzanosalata, tzatziki, favosalata and tirosalata—to enjoy with the homemade pitas.
200 Jackson St., at Front; lunch weekdays only, closed Sundays. www.kokkari.com
Kokkari’s sister restaurant in Palo Alto. Calif., Avvia Estiatorio, is a TravelMuse favorite too.

Nopa. California cuisine.
Start with the cocktails, which are made with fresh juices and herb infusions. The community table makes for a festive (read: loud) atmosphere.
560 Divisadero, at Hayes. 415-864-8643. www.nopasf.com

• Nearly all of the produce, meat, and fish served at Zuni Cafe is farmed and harvested in a sustainable manner.
• mrgarin

Bar Crudo. Raw food.
The menu is practically all seafood, half raw, the other half cooked. Order on blind faith—everything will be sublime. There’s also an incredible selection of beers and great wine pairings. Rogovin says the owners are getting ready to open another location in the city. Stay tuned for details.
603 Bush Street, at Stockton; tel. 415-956-0396. Closed Sundays. www.barcrudo.com

Zuni. California cuisine.
Go here for the quintessential California dining experience. Chef Judy Rogers is the Alice Waters of San Francisco, says Rogovin, and follows the philosophy of sourcing ingredients from nearby farmers and using the best quality meats, fish and vegetables. Order the chicken salad—immediately upon arrival as it takes an hour to prepare.
1658 Market St. (btwn Franklin and Gough). Tel 415-552-2522. Closed Monday. www.zunicafe.com

Swan Oyster Depot. Seafood.
Very no frills and down to earth; open only for lunch. Go when you have time as there are no reservations, and there’s always a long wait for a seat at the marble slab counter. Be patient, and stand for as long as it takes, she says, as the fresh fish is well worth it.
1517 Polk St., btwn California and Sacramento). 415-673-1101. Nob Hill. Closed Sundays.