Frances

"As far as local, seasonal restaurants go, there aren't many in the Castro worth making a big fuss over. Except for Frances. Everything is done exceedingly well, from a fennel soup that warms you up on a foggy day to the housemade sourdough that's one of the pillowy-est breads we’ve had. And while you can typically get a seat inside, the small parklet out front is an equally acceptable option, with blankets being handed out as needed. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, lani conway

"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

"As far as local, seasonal new American restaurants go, there aren't many in the city worth fussing about. Except for Frances. This white-walled spot isn’t serving anything radical, but everything is done exceedingly well, from a fennel soup that warms you up on a foggy day to the housemade sourdough that's one of the most pillowy breads we’ve had in recent memory. The reginette is simple but takes care of your pasta needs, and the black cod is wonderfully cooked alongside crisp asparagus. You can’t go wrong with any of the desserts, but the lumberjack cake with cardamom ice cream is a toffee pudding-esque standout. " - lani conway, julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez

"A pop-up cafe run by two former San Francisco cafe owners, launching a new coffee blend at Black Jet Baker." - Paolo Bicchieri

"With its striking black-and-white paint job and long, narrow dining room, chef Marissa Perello’s Frances achieves an effortless cool that makes the restaurant more than just a neighborhood standard. The menu, spearheaded by chef de cuisine Jordan Whittrock, spins local and seasonal ingredients into elegant plates like a cured crudo with stone fruit and gulf snapper with black rice and dragon tongue beans." - Lauren Saria, Dianne de Guzman