Asia de Cuba
Visit Asian fusion superstar Asia de Cuba at the Clift Hotel, Union Square. Manhattan restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow has brought his genius twist on fusion dining to San Francisco. Sanfrancisco.com raves about designer Philippe Stark's stunning renovations, including Venetian Murano glass vases, rich velvet curtains, and mahogany and leather banquettes. Start off with a crispy calamari salad, beef dumplings two ways or crab croquetas. Continue with tropical hoisin roasted duck, shar sui beef short ribs or lobster pad thai. The adjoining Redwood Room is an upscale watering hole, a place for chic hotel guests to mingle with locals.
Asia de Cuba
495 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102-1222
(415) 929-2300
www.chinagrillmgt.com
Slanted Door
Head down to the Embarcadero to visit the Phan family's beloved Slanted Door. Chef Charles Phan combines Bay Area produce, meat and poultry with Vietnamese cooking techniques. The Los Angeles Times raves about "its updated Vietnamese made with the same quality of ingredients top French or Italian restaurants might buy." Delectable appetizers include steamed mussels with lemongrass, salt and pepper quail, and mesquite-grilled lamb sausage with oysters. Feast on Niman ranch shaking beef, grass-fed lamb sirloin, and cellophane noodles with fresh Dungeness crab, served family-style. The wine list is a delight that complements the menu beautifully, ranging from Austrian Grüner Veltliners and Alsatian Gewurtztraminers to Belgian ales and German wheat beers. The Slanted Door also serves a range of hand-picked Chinese teas from two San Francisco tea purveyors. The San Francisco Chronicle recommends Slanted Door as "one of the most dynamic menus in the city." Visit one of San Francisco's top Asian restaurants for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner.
Slanted Door
1 San Francisco Ferry Bldg. - San Francisco Pier 48
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 861-8032
www.slanteddoor.com
Yoshi's
Make a reservation at Yoshi's and combine an evening of terrific Japanese cuisine with top-notch jazz. Try chef Shotaro Kamio's tuna tartare with avocado, tofu and chili oil, Kobe beef "sushi" or tempura lobster blossoms. Continue with smoked yellowtail, grilled miso black cod or diver scallops with a miso-lobster sauce. Sample creative sushi rolls like the "caliente roll," with albacore tuna, jalapeno tempura and a chili soy crepe. The San Francisco Chronicle praises Yoshi's: "...miraculously blends all these elements---fine dining, artistic preparations and live music." For a unique night on the town, head to Yoshi's. Check out the online calendar for upcoming performers, too. If you're going to the East Bay, visit Yoshi's sister restaurant in downtown Oakland.
Yoshi's
1330 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA 94115-4113
(415) 655-5600
www.yoshis.com
Koi Palace
Make the trip to Daly City and indulge in delectable dim sum and excellent seafood at this excellent Cantonese establishment. The San Francisco Chronicle ranks Koi Palace as one of the "Top 100 Restaurants in the Bay Area." Owner Willy Ng chooses only the freshest seafood for his clientele. Gourmet Magazine praises Koi Palace as "an extremely fine Hong Kong-style seafood house." Dishes range from traditional to innovative. Try shredded duck burritos with scallion pancakes, stuffed shrimp rolls (Shrimp Chung Fun), and steamed Shanghai dumplings (Xiao Long Bao), filled with savory broth. Seafood highlights include Shanghai two-way crab with crunchy rice noodles and egg, abalone sashimi and steamed snapper.
Koi Palace
365 Gellert Blvd
Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 992-9000
www.koipalace.com
Betelnut
Drop by this Cow Hollow spot on trendy Union Street, hoist a cold microbrew and sample spicy pan-Asian street food.. Betelnut is a "pejiu wu," or traditional Asian beer house. Tasty starters include firecracker shrimp, Happy Buddha dumplings, and seared scallops with coconut rice cakes. Move to oven-smoked sea bass, Korean charbroiled pork and Penang rice noodles with king crab. Don't miss the signature Szechuan green beans, crispy-fried with hot peppers. The New York Times recommends the posh, fashionable restaurant.
Betelnut
2030 Union St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 929-8855
www.betelnutrestaurant.com
