Every year I look forward to the unveling of 7x7's Big Eats list. I'm pretty far ahead for 2014 (everything in bold I have yet to try). Guess I spent most of last year pigging out.
A date recently commented on SF's subpar dining options in comparison to NYC. No, I did not end the date then and there ;) Sure there are some things that NYC does better such as Korean food and perhaps pizza (though that divide is dwindling thanks to places like Una Pizza Napoletana and pop-ups like Pizza Hacker) but overall there's great food to be had in this city. You just have to get out there and find it. And yes, sometimes that means trekking out to the Richmond (yikes). This is where 7x7 does a good job with their list, rotating dishes and restaurants in and out every year. Even if you've dined somewhere before, there may be a new item that you haven't had the chance to try. Only a handful of eats make it on the list every year such as Saigon's banh mi, which I'm always a bit surprised at. Despite a few repeat names, the list for the most part stays freshly updated and always tasty.
Here's to more #nomnoms:
- Buckwheat waffle with creme fraiche, cucumber, and salmon roe at Lt. Waffle (Linea)
- Seafood chowder at Bar Crudo
- Cinnamon toast at Trouble Coffee
- Chicken claypot at Slanted Door
- Kale and yogurt smørrebrød at Bar Tartine Sandwich Shop
- Egg yolk lava bun at Koi Palace
- Abalone (seasonal) at Saison
- Beignets with chocolate espresso cream at Boxing Room
- Crispy duck salad at Hakkasan
- Any steamed bun at The Chairman
- Brownie à la mode at Chocolate Lab
- Arnisio souvlaki (spiced lamb skewer) at Kokkari
- Soft garlic pretzels at the bar at Absinthe
- Brussel sprout chips at Marlowe
- Burrata bruschetta, walnut bread, mushroom truffle honey at Beretta
- Omakase at ICHI
- Butternut squash tacos (seasonal) at Gracias Madre
- Crispy octopus at 1760
- Housemade chicken liver pâté at Starbelly
- Papua New Guinea s'more at Dandelion Chocolate
- Chung Qing wings at New Ming's
- Salted fish and minced pork rice in clay pot at Utopia Cafe
- Chicken mole at San Jalisco
- Tropical sundae at Ice Cream and Soda Fountain
- Crispy imperial rolls at Out the Door
- Egg sandwich with lard shallots and parsley on sourdough at Biergarten
- Fried chicken at Mission Bowling Club
- Salt cod cakes at Mikkeller Bar
- Polpette at Barbacco
- Chips and salsa at Papalote
- Jerk spiced duck hearts with pickled pineapple and thyme salt at Alembic
- Crab Louie at Swan Oyster Depot
- Seasonal bread pudding at Tartine Bakery
- Tea leaf salad at Burma Superstar
- Carnitas at Nopalito
- Sardine chips at Rich Table
- Takoyaki at Izakaya Sozai
- Chinatown duck sliders at Maven
- Russian honey cake at 20th Century Cafe
- Coffee-rubbed pork shoulder at Range
- Moto pizza with an egg at Ragazza
- Caviar at Jardiniere
- Lotus root salad at MAU
- Fried onion cake at House of Nanking
- Live crab with salt and pepper at R&G Lounge
- Gamja fries at Namu Gaji
- Maple bacon breakfast sausage sandwich at 4505 Meats
- Squid ink tonnarelli at A16
- Kung pow pastrami at Mission Chinese Food
- Pizza margherita at Pizzeria Delfina
- Devils on horseback at Magnolia Pub
- Popovers at Wayfare Tavern
- Salted caramel ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery
- Mussel soup at Tosca Cafe
- Pupusas at Balompie #3
- Rotisserie chicken at Limon Rotisserie
- Raviolo di ricotta at Cotogna
- Pluma Iberico de Bellota at Coqueta
- Pickled eggs at St.Vincent
- Frozen custard with egg caramel at Fog City
- Roast chicken for two at Zuni
- Seafood cioppino at Tadich Grill
- Scotch egg at Trick Dog
- Burger with bone marrow at Kronner Burger
- Corn chowder soup at Frances
- Poulet Noir at Park Tavern
- Spaghittusu cun allu ollu e bottariga at La Ciccia
- Super carne asada burrito at El Farolito
- A fresh loaf of Josey Baker bread at The Mill
- Fried green beans at Coco500
- Spoonful of Sugar's Meyer lemon curd filled brioche donut at Marla Bakery
- Frank Nitti at Capo's
- Wild boar scissor cut noodles at M.Y. China
- Tandoori fish at Guddu de Karahi
- Pasta tasting menu at Flour + Water
- No. 19 sandwich at Wise Sons Deli
- Duck confit basteeya at Aziza
- Grilled cheese at Outerlands
- Clams with cabbage at TBD Restaurant
- Custard french toast at Nopa
- Xiao long bao at Kingdom of Dumpling
- The Rebel Within at Craftsman & Wolves
- Tasting menu at Quince
- Crispy potatoes at Plow
- State bird at State Bird Provisions
- Tikka masala burrito at Curry Up Now
- Kouign amann at B. Patisserie
- Lamb scrumpets at The Cavalier
- Tonnarelli cacio e pepe at Locanda
- Skillet-fried chicken thighs at Zero Zero
- Duck wings “à l’orange” at RN74
- Steak tartare at Bix
- Organic pop tarts at Foreign Cinema
- Banh mi at Saigon Sandwich
- Udon a la Carbonara at Izakaya Roku
- Smoked potatoes with black garlic at Bar Tartine
- The Arista at Merigan
- Chicken liver mousse with marmellata and balsamic gelatin at SPQR
- French macarons at Tout Sweet
- Vermicelli with five spice roasted chicken at Sunflower Restaurant