A collection of memorable meals and restaurant discoveries. These are the places I keep going back to -and think you should try too.
I've been to this place three times. I always get the pork skin, fish and navajas.
Stop in Artesa de Lleida for arròs a la marinera and costillas de cabrito at Michelin Bib Gourmand Arrosseria Antoni Rubies, the roadside rice stop on the way to Lleida.
Cervecería Catalana: still the happy place, walk in and wait.
Geoboki Sikdang in Seoul serves charcoal-grilled pork, chewy kkeopdegi, grilled kimchi, and lunchtime soju near Kyung Hee University.
食令 SHABU at Taipei 101: live abalone, Iberico in the soup, and crab they clean for you. 4F luxury floor, next to Dior.
A love letter to Din Tai Fung: xiaolongbao, chilled cucumber salad, and the original Xinyi Road shop in Taipei, plus favorite branches worldwide.
El Chato is that Spanish corner that brings Madrid to the Mission. Tortilla española, navajas, jamón, chatos of natural wine, and vermut.
Extraordinary duck, great bread selection and salads.
Nasi lemak at The Coconut Club Beach Road near Arab Street and Masjid Sultan, with ayam goreng berempah, beef rendang, and homemade otah.
I didn't really understand why I liked this restaurant so much the first time I was there, but it was probably because I was sitting at the bar next to the chef and he was finishing all these delicious French plates in front of me.
Tacolicious has a small mezcal bar next door in the Mission: Mosto. Pastor tacos from a proper trompo, and the pastor that the Mission gives.
China Live on Broadway in Chinatown is the big Chinese food hall for groups.
The Valencia branch is the best one.
This is my top burrito in San Francisco.
Rintaro is the beautiful izakaya we have in the Mission.
Mensho Tokyo on Geary in the Tenderloin is the best ramen in San Francisco.
Plow in Potrero Hill is the best brunch in San Francisco.
If you read the fancy duck at Mister Jiu’s in San Francisco, this is where to go fancy in Taipei.
I was lucky that I didn't have to wait this day, but usually, you actually have to wait a while to get there.
If you love Korean BBQ, this is the fancy version in San Francisco.
Just outside Positano, Zass at Il San Pietro is a romantic Michelin dinner: the view, octopus with figs, and lemon tagliatelle.
Mister Jiu's: always go for the Liberty duck. Liberty Farms, Sonoma. Pre-order it. The skin, the crunch, the little tortillas.
Tony's Pizza Napoletana: Margherita in the room in North Beach. Golden Boy if you just want a slice. Big, pricey, worth it.
Check out my San Francisco restaurant guide for places I want to try next.
SF Restaurant Guide