"It may not be easy to snag a table at Frances, but given that everyone knows this fact and tends to steer clear, grabbing a counter seat even on a weekend night can be surprisingly easy sometimes. This is, hands down, the best restaurant in the neighborhood, and ten years on it’s held a consistent spot on the favorites lists of many local diners. Executive chef Melissa Perello’s comforting yet exacting take on Cal-Mediterranean food, with frequent nods to classic French technique, make this place an inviting and delicious experience that also feels distinctly San Franciscan. Wine selection and service is also top-notch, and the bill is usually not a whole lot higher than several places in the neighborhood — that need not be mentioned — where the food is not nearly as great." - Jay C. Barmann