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 | Noe Valley Newcomer Noe Valley locals have a new dinner spot in Bistro 1689, which opened its doors in July 2006 on 1689 Church Street in the space that was the Long Island Chinese Restaurant. Joining restaurants like Incanto, Fresca, and La Ciccia as well as the new Pescheria, this 45-seat bistro is quickly making a name for itself in the neighborhood. With fresh, Bay Area ingredients prepared in a rustic, French style and a well-priced wine list, Bistro 1689 has a textbook recipe for success.More |  | Get Wined and Dined As the latest home to Pamela Busch, former owner of Hayes and Vine, and Tadd Cortell of The Public, it's no surprise that Cav would boast an exceptional wine list (upwards of 300 bottles) covering a broad spectrum of tastes and regions (roughly 70). But what might be a shocker is that this year-old nook of a wine bar also serves a Cal-Mediterranean-comfort food-inspired menu that might tempt you away from what could end up being a liquid-diet-kind-of-night. Cav has even been known to lure folks away from next-door Zuni and nearby Hotel Biron.More |  | Opens Second Restaurant on Union Street This past summer, the owners of Home on Market moved into their second Home on Union Street. The Marina sister to the Castro mainstay carries on the successful comfort-food theme and adds a contemporary infusion, appropriate for its neighborhood clientele. On the same page with the infamous meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, and pot roast are listed lighter dishes like tuna carpaccio, mahi mahi, and a handful of salads and pastas -- creating an ideal menu for a pescetarian and meat-and-potatoes pair.More |  | Creative Small Plates That Highlight Organic Mexican Ingredients Gourmet tamales, an eclectic wine selection, and tasteful sangria are just a few reasons to check out Tamal Tapas and Wine Bar in SOMA, chef/co-owner Moaya Scheiman's new restaurant on the not-so-busy corner of Howard and 12th Street. Maybe it's the abundant parking, but the 49-seat spot already has a steady following -- from lunchtime loyals and neighborhood diners to foodies on the quest to stay ahead of the Bay Area dining scene.More |  | A Likely Local Secret A red lantern and lit-up tree on Guerrero at 22nd Street are the only landmarks that identify Kiji, a Japanese restaurant that replaced La Foccacia last fall. Although it's not likely to attract foodies from far and wide, it exudes a friendly, neighborhood charm. Enter through the red door and, like many Japanese restaurants, the sociable sushi chefs will belt out a warm, enthusiastic greeting.More |  | Organic Cuisine in a Sleek, SOMA Setting (Leave Your Birkenstocks Behind) Jack Falstaff, the hip, new SOMA restaurant, is the latest PlumpJack Group endeavor that features organic, ingredient-driven food just blocks from the SBC Ballpark. It's easy to miss the unassuming entrance, but once you step inside you'll notice how designer Stanlee Gatti contrasts the bar's sleek, modern lines with the dining room's cozy, rich upholstery. Dark wood ceilings and plush cushions create a fetching ambience that's irresistibly inviting to a varied clientele of eager foodies, loyal PlumpJack followers from the Marina, neighborhood couples, and coworkers meeting for dinner and drinks.More |  | Bringing the Ocean to You Chances are you've only driven past Café Maritime, zooming down Lombard en route to or from the Golden Gate Bridge, but locals know it well and word is spreading fast. Café Maritime's quirky locale should not diminish its appeal.More |  | Where Mexico Meets the Marina Since opening in November, Mamacita is a magnet for neighborhood Marina diners and drinkers. Reservations are advised, but if you're craving fresh, local ingredients prepared Mexican-style, the wait isn't too bad, especially after a few margaritas. Opt for the pomegranate margarita if you have a sweet tooth, or the sangria, with a secret ingredient that makes it one of the most distinctive sangrias around. Not surprisingly, numerous beers and tequilas are available and, happily, there is an extensive by-the-glass wine selection.More |  | Hot Stuff After three years of planning, many trips to Tequila (a city in the Mexican state of Jalisco), and big-name partnerships with Julio Bermejo of Tommy's on Geary, rocker Sammy Hagar, and Executive Chef Joseph Manzare, concept designer Eric Rubin has finally opened Tres Agaves. From our visits, it would appear that hordes of San Franciscans are pouring in to check out this newcomer to the SBC Park area.More |  | From Simmer to Sizzle, the Buzz is Electric Named after the apparatus that transforms raw ingredients, Range is the new Mission District restaurant firing up Valencia Street. If you're going out for a special night, Range has your back. It's a chill, comfortable place with pop elements like a sleek bar and elaborate flower arrangements, making the space sexy and classy at the same time. Plus the well-priced menu has a scope broad enough to satisfy both the meat-and-potatoes and the veggie-only diner.More |
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