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HAYES VALLEY. Remember the Alamo...for exceptional seafood that is! This popular restaurant, owned by the same man as the beloved Baker Street Bistro, is applauded regularly for fantastic food and reasonable prices. Salmon and crab cakes alone keep the place at the top of any food list, and fish can be sauteed, grilled, or blackened and then topped with any number of lush sauces. Everything is fresh too, from homemade breads to mussels and classic Continental desserts. A French tendency colors the menu, adding a touch of earthy sophistication.
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Bar Crudo
603 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108 · 415-956-0396
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UNION SQUARE. Albeit a tiny space with bar dining downstairs and a handful of tables upstairs, Bar Crudo has made quite a splash with its exquisite seafood. Impeccable preparation and spot-on flavors distinguish the fare, whether you choose chilled shellfish or their crudo (raw fish) items. The latter get a kick with fennel, mint, tobiko, ginger, and blood oranges. Seafood chowder, with its base of applewood-smoked bacon, pleases folks who want something hot; other possibilities include tuna confit, an artisan cheese plate, and sherry duck liver mousse. The bar's spotlight shines on an array of Belgian beers.
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Eastside West
3154 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123 · 415-885-4000
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PACIFIC HEIGHTS. This hip, bustling place takes as much pride in its social atmosphere as in its fabulous seafood and famous raw bar. Live jazz is common, and patrons relish sitting at the bar and sampling littleneck clams, cracked crab, and steamed mussels. The dinner menu, then, offers (in a quieter dining room) a host of seafood-heavy small plates and large-plate entrees like pan-seared bass, braised lamb shank, and grilled pork loin. Specialty cocktails include martinis, oyster shooters, and the house's classic mojitos.
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Farallon
450 Post St, Kensington Park Hotel, San Francisco, CA 94108 · 415-956-6969
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UNION SQUARE. An undersea fantasy world reigns at Farallon, one of undulating curves, glimmering details, and sea-creature accents. It's home to perhaps San Francisco's most famous seafood restaurant, led by chef Mark Franz and specializing in "coastal cuisine." Fresh shellfish starts the meal, followed by grilled Pacific ono, sauteed skate wing, Maine lobster, and prosciutto-wrapped branzino. The popular "seafood pyramid" piles together shrimp, scallops, lobster, julienned leeks, and salmon caviar. Poultry, beef, and veal are also available, along with a decadent dessert list and artisanal cheeses. Menu changes daily.
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HAYES VALLEY. In a comfortable, simply adorned space, Hayes Street Grill delivers some of the city's best seafood, as it has since 1979. The menu changes daily, depending on what's fresh at local markets, and chefs often collaborate to create a unified culinary approach. Preparation, fish, and sauce are all your choice: Alaskan king salmon may be grilled and dressed with beurre-blanc, while Hawaiian mahi may be joined by glass noodles and a Vietnamese dipping sauce. Grilled meats are available as well, along with fresh shellfish and crab. Finish off with crème brûlée or pistachio and pear tartlettes.
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Pesce
2227 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109 · 415-928-8025
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RUSSIAN HILL. Mahogany paneling, tiled floors, and a zinc-topped bar hint at Pesce's sophisticated bent, which is only confirmed by its terrific cuisine. Specializing in cicchetti, a Venetian take on tapas, the restaurant confidently serves seafood married with lemon, olive oil, truffles, fennel, and arugula. Small-plate portions mean that you can indulge in several taste sensations, and fortunately, full-sized entrees can also be had. They include grilled ahi tuna, beef tenderloin, and cioppino. A raw bar is also a treat, as are refreshing Italian cocktails.
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Plouf
40 Beldon Pl, San Francisco, CA 94109 · 415-986-6491
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FINANCIAL DISTRICT. "Plouf" translates from the French as "splash," an appropriate term given the place's penchant for fresh seafood. The menu features monkfish with cabbage, sea bass with fennel, and shrimp. Each dish benefits from a Parisian touch and chef Oola Fendert's culinary expertise. Mussels also gain this attention and can be prepared eight different ways, including curried with onions, coconut cream, and apples or cooked with sherry and garlic.
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NOB HILL. For generations, this small eatery has been delighting seafood lovers from all over the city. Distinguished by a marble counter and pull-up stools, the place puts all its attention on fresh shellfish, especially just-shucked oysters. You can also try clams on the half-shell, cracked crab, lobster, and shrimp, along with a few soups and salads. The place doesn't stand out from the street, so keep your eyes peeled. And if you're around during the lunchtime rush, you'll most likely have to wait. Since 1912.
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Tadich Grill
240 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111 · 415-391-1849
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FINANCIAL DISTRICT. Old-school classics are the rule here, and for more than 150 years, the place has thrived on simplicity, a great menu, and time-tested hospitality. Seafood is the standard, prepared a variety of ways (mesquite-grilled, baked in a casserole) and always impeccable in quality. Among its mainstays are lobster Thermidor, oyster stew, clam chowder, Dungeness crab, calamari steak, and petrale sole. Meat dishes are available, and desserts include baked apples and cheesecake. Great local color and servers.
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RUSSIAN HILL. "Yabbies," in Australian slang, are crayfish, and although you'll find them on the menu, the casual, provincial name belies the modern-spirit of the restaurant and its broad, globally-inspired menu. A raw bar and wine bar provide both focus and great selections, including clams, six kinds of oysters, and peel-and-eat shrimp. However, main dishes often steal their luster, given such innovative creations as rock shrimp ceviche, grilled ahi, Maine scallops, crab with mango, and cioppino. Chicken and beef also make appearances, and desserts include creme brulee and chocolate terrine.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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