Bobo’s
1450 Lombard Street (at Franklin), 415-441-8880, www.boboquivaris.com; daily 5–11 p.m.
You’ll find shrimp, mussels and Dungeness crab in a messy, addictive garlic sauce on sizzling platters; fresh salads; crunchy onion rings; and warm, house-baked olive bread, but the real draw is the unbelievable steak, which is the best in San Francisco and one of the best in the entire country (and I’ve eaten steak from here to New York City). The certified prime is dry-aged four to six weeks and seared with garlic and rosemary for a caramelized, juicy hunk of beef. The well-designed wine and cocktail menus and sexy Venetian vibe take the ambiance at Bobo’s a notch above the usual wood-paneled steakhouse.
Tip: Bobo’s offers free valet parking.
Not to Miss: Bone-in filet mignon, porterhouse, sizzling seafood platters
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Delarosa
2175 Chestnut Street (at Pierce), 415-673-7100, www.delarosasf.com; Monday–Friday 11:30–1 a.m.; Saturday & Sunday 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
You’ll find some of the best pizzas and house-made pastas in town at Delarosa, where modern meets traditional Italian at one of the coolest spots in the Marina. Top picks include Dungeness crab arancini, broccoli rabe bruschetta, eggplant parmigiana panini, and gnocchi with Italian ham, spinach, bechamel, and tomato. For pizza, go with the Margherita with burrata cheese (creamy curd wrapped in a mozzarella shell) or the fennel sausage, tomato, onion, and scamorza (firm, slightly salty Italian cheese). Since the sad closing of Vivande several years ago, this has become my favorite casual Italian place in town.
Tip: Delarosa serves its full menu until 1 a.m.
Not to Miss: Crab arancini, burrata Margherita pizza
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Umami Burger
2184 Union Street (at Fillmore), 415-440-8626, www.umami.com; Sunday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.– midnight
This L.A. phenomenon is named for the “fifth taste” (after sweet, sour, bitter, salty). They grind their own meat, house-pickle their veggies – they even process their own cheese – but Umami adds another twist that really sets it apart, incorporating elements of all the tastes into its beefy burgers (veggie and turkey, too). Try the Manly (beer-cheddar cheese, smoked-salt onion strings, bacon lardons) or the namesake Umami (shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted tomato, Parmesan crisp, Umami ketchup).
Tip: The Earth Burger — a mushroom-edamame patty with white soy aioli, truffle ricotta, cipollini onions, and slow-roasted tomatoes — is one of the best veggie burgers in San Francisco.
Not to Miss: Earth Burger, Umami Burger, Truffle Burger (with house-made truffle cheese and truffle glaze)
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