Trendy / Hip Restaurants

Destino is lively and casual, and walking inside on an otherwise quiet Monday night can feel like being transported to a South American city during happy hour. The bright walls of the dining room are decorated with religious icons and mirrors of all shapes and sizes. Destino's menu is composed completely of small plates, all infused with flavors that Executive Chef James Schenk grew up with. Examples of the menu include three striking ceviches, tiger prawns with a spicy sofrito puree over plantain-bacon cakes, and a popular Peruvian street food: beef-heart skewers served with aji panca pepper reduction.

There is nothing intimidating or vicious about T-Rex Barbeque. In fact, its open, two story floor-plan and warm décor are quite inviting. T-Rex is “Berkeley Barbeque” – using only antibiotic and hormone-free meats, sustainable fish, and organic produce (whenever possible) – no bull whips to be found here, folks. You will find a Pulled Pork Omelette, Oysters on the Half Shell, and Grilled Steelhead Salmon. T-Rex also has an international beer selection worthy of applause, and a weeknight happy-hour schedule that encourages you to put it to the test.

Yoshi’s San Francisco, the jazz club and Japanese restaurant, has a new location in Oakland. About Yoshi's: Chef Shotaro Kamio has brought the best of his experience as an apprentice to top chefs in Tokyo to his own work here stateside with Yoshi's. Finding the perfect balance between using traditional Japanese cooking methods, seasonal ingredients, and authentic spices, Chef Kamio uses three words to describe his cuisine: Seasonal, Simple, and Surprise. Try the Maple Leap Duck Takaki (with summer vegetables, a Saikyo miso vinaigrette, and Welsh vanilla sea salt) or the Tsukiji Sashimi Selection (five varieties of seasonal fish from …

NOPA, like the city of San Francisco, is a study in duality. Both are cutting edge yet firmly rooted in the past. This is reflected in the contrast between the restaurant's sleek yet rustic design and masterfully prepared food. The intent at NOPA is to find and procure only the freshest and most seasonal ingredients and serve them in a manner that only enhances their quality. The restaurant is a welcomed addition to its namesake, North of the Panhandle neighborhood, as it has been extremely popular since opening in 2006. The bar is urbane without being fussy, the food is …

Take a holiday in Jalisco, Mexico – the birthplace of tequila – without so much as having to pack a hat. Tres Agaves Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Lounge serves regional, rustic cuisine that relies on authentic ingredients and techniques to create dishes true in presentation and flavor. Just as vital as the fine cuisine is Tres Agave’s commitment to fine tequila. As the restaurant’s name implies, the three types of 100% Blue Agave Tequila (Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo) are the true stars of this production. Tequila tastings are held to educate patrons about the true nature of tequila: the biggest …

Order a spread of small, fresh, and tasty, dishes; opt for a quartino of wine to share with friends, and settle in to a relaxing evening at Uva Enoteca. Boris Nemchenok and Ben Hetzel have joined forces and combined their two passions – fine wine and food – to create an environment that celebrates simplicity, company, and quality. Paying homage to its roots, Uva Enoteca relies on classic Italian dishes and wine: meat selections include the Cappocollo, and the Prosciutto di Parma; cheese samplings include the Sampietrino, the Blu del monceniso, and the Montes; other plates are the Funghi Selvatici …

Monetta White grew up in the Fillmore district during its jazz heyday, when it was known as “The Harlem of the West”. As she grew older, she saw the area’s decline and wanted to give back to the neighborhood that helped shape her. With the opening of their San Francisco restaurant in 2008, she and her husband, executive chef David Lawrence, made it happen. 1300 on Fillmore's jazzy, 1930's theme is very relaxed and entertaining, and its soulful American cuisine makes you feel right at home.

No matter that Chouquet’s was not intended to be the next big thing; it took off just the same. Chef Laurent Guillaume’s ability to meld old and new flavors into delightful light dishes; the service staff’s attentive and unpretentious care; and the stylish dining space meant to compliment, not distract from, the food, all converged to give Chouquet’s the attention it deserves. Brunch is offered on the weekends in place of the weekday lunch menu, and dinner is served nightly – the Effigham Oysters are seductive mignonette mint and shallots; and the Rigatoni with truffles, chanterelles, and foie gras is …

Fish and Farm is a chic restaurant committed to the principles of the sustainability movement. The restaurant is dedicated to pleasing your palate with all-natural and organic, local ingredients and to composing fantastic interpretations of old favorites that have a distinctive freshness to them. By dubbing their work “New American Seafood and Artisan Meats,” the owners of Fish and Farm have attracted curious food connoisseurs from all walks of life. The energy and service at this devoted eatery is as zestful as its clientele. With all this in mind, Fish and Farm remains a must for locals and visitors alike.

Located just off San Francisco’s famous Lombard Street, Bistro Aix is bursting with new flavors .These organic dishes are created nightly using fresh ingredients from local growers. . Bistro Aix’s Californian twist on French Provencal food traditions present guests with a taste of this Northern region right here in California. The restaurant’s focus on olive oil and fresh organic products allows for unique menu flexibility and variety in which the chef’s versatility shines. Dishes are intriguing and invite diners to try an old favorite with a new age spin. Bistro Aix provides an intimate and simple and comfortable atmosphere in …

Level III is a fresh and inviting space that accommodates many dining preferences. Mingle with friends, strangers, and soon-to-be pals, at the communal dining table, or settle into a booth for a quiet meal and conversation, or snuggle in for an intimate evening at a private table behind a flowing curtain. Vibrant flame-inspired tones invigorate the senses and peak the appetite. The dinner menu is arranged with dishes to share as a group, and with those meant to be individually savored – pass around the Mediterranean Mussels and the Mac and Cheese, but be selfish with the Anchor Steamed Shorts …

In its new space on Divisadero at Grove, Bar Crudo is a bustling restaurant reminiscent of a hip loft. The focus of the sparse and well-chosen menu is raw fish infused with creative sauces and garnishes with not a grain of sushi rice in sight. There are a few well-executed cooked fish and seafood dishes as well. If you hunger for thick steaks and mounds of buttered carbohydrates, Bar Crudo is not for you. If your dreams, however, are of Butterfish accented with Meyer lemon tapenade or Arctic Char with a drop of horse radish cream, don’t let its overwhelming …

If you’re looking for a night complete with adventure, significance, simplicity, and balance search no further than San Francisco’s 231 Ellsworth. Located in downtown San Mateo and just minutes south of SFO airport, 231 Ellsworth provides an intimate dining experience that resonates throughout the restaurant’s décor, atmosphere, and contemporary American cuisine. Infused with global inspiration, Chef Isaac Miller creates unique menus in which sometimes unexpected ingredients converge in harmony. The restaurant tends to use locally grown produce and offers a prix fixe tasting menu nightly with optional wine pairings and a choice of a 3, 5, or 7-course dining experience. …

Located on Pier 33, Butterfly hosts a view of San Francisco Bay that simply can’t be beat. With spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows, an open kitchen where Owner/Chef Robert Lam concocts his creations, and a large and airy dining room, there is no lack of visual stimulation here. The trendy, modern décor is perhaps most complimented by the vibrant art-work that adorns the walls and ceilings, all of which have been amassed from local artists. The Cal-Asian cuisine is nothing to scoff at either. The flavorful dishes reflect Chef Lam’s culinary background as well as his Vietnamese heritage.

Sozai Restaurant and Sake Lounge is an authentic Japanese Izakaya, or alehouse. Opened in 2007, Sozai is a unique place to enjoy drinks while sharing traditional Japanese tapas with friends. Diners share small yet deliciously prepared dishes while sipping handcrafted sake. Partners Gil Payne and Mira Takahashi, have achieved a chic, modern lounge atmosphere while remaining true to traditional Japanese minimalism. The open kitchen and friendly service create a warm and inviting dining experience without sacrificing style. With the assistance of Master Sake Sommelier Beau Timken, Sozai boasts an extensive sake menu that has been carefully selected and attentively paired …

Opened by the An family in 1991 following the success of their Vietnamese kitchen Thanh Long, Crustacean offers up-scale Euro-Asian fusion fare in an elegant fine dining setting. The menu follows Executive Chef Helene An's philosophy of turning fresh ingredients that are valued in Eastern medicine for their healing properties into simple, clean and refined dishes. Loyal customers have been returning for years for the secret family recipe for Garlic Noodles and Roasted Dungeness Crab. The sophisticated Asian decor in warm dark hues provides the appropriate setting to enjoy this homey yet sumptuous food. Located in the heart of Nob …

If you’re looking for new age American style cuisine with a comfortable neighborhood vibe that will transport you to various cities around the world, search no further than San Francisco’s Street. The restaurant takes each diner on a world tour or keeps them in their native town with classic American fare and new daily changing desserts. Street is known for their local fan base and for using ingredients from nearby farmers’ markets. Street offers everything from soup, salad, and pate to seafood, sirloin, and panna cotta. They also have a nightly cocktail hour full of savory and sweet wines and …

Everything about Horizon Restaurant & Lounge in North Beach goes straight to the point. Not to say they are a restaurant without frills, because the comfort level, service, and ambience at Horizon are great. What I mean by that is they like to stay out of your way. Distractions are kept to a minimum. They make sure that the object of desire, their food, is your main focus at all times. Executive Chef Christopher Lee’s menu of fresh California cuisine is irresistible; and because of this and a lot of other reasons, an evening at Horizon will surely be a …

For a truly unique San Francisco experience, there are few options that offer a better example of California's cutting edge design and cuisine than at the Moss Room at the Academy of Science, in Golden Gate Park. Hidden below the museum like a rare gem is a restaurant dedicated to producing extraordinary cuisine with ingredients from local sources and a nod to classic French preparation. The dramatic dining room with its namesake living wall of moss and fern is an ideal choice for a dining destination unlike any other in the Bay Area.

Just south of San Francisco on the Pacific Ocean lies the city of Half Moon bay where agriculture and big wave surfing are the popular attractions in town. When it comes to food, Cetrella is the areas destination point. With French and Mediterranean undertones, Cetrella draws from local growers and purveyors to seasonally create dishes from land and sea. Freshly harvested Oysters on the Half Shell, Mussels, Grilled Octopus and the Beet Salad are light items that represent its closeness to the ocean and plentiful fields. Entrees like the Lamb Shank, Pork Chop, Duck Confit and Gnocchi Parisienne also allow …