Hey, foodie friends. April has been another banner month for restaurants. Check out our picks for the 5 most reservation-worthy spots.
Octavia
Melissa Perello's follow-up to Castro restaurant Frances (where it has been hard to score a reservation for six years straight) is finally here. Seasonal, daily-changing dishes--grilled asparagus with caramelized shallots, squid-ink noodles with green garlic--showcase her talent with California cuisine. Location.
Aster
This cozy spot from the owners of Alta and Plum Bar is one of the first places in SF to nix tipping (gratuity is built into the bill). Chef Brett Cooper (of Outerlands fame) is whipping up inventive West Coast fare, including dishes like asparagus with sorrel, pickled spring onion and egg. Location.
Aatxe
The latest concept by Ne Timeas Restaurant Group (Flour + Water, Salumeria and Central Kitchen) has opened in the old Swedish American Hall space on Market Street. Aatxe (say it with us: aah-CHAY) brings us tapas--like the pintxo (snack) flight; octopus with kohlrabi, avocado and salsa verde, and mussels escabeche--from the Basque region of Spain. Bonus: The Bon Vivants (Trick Dog) are slinging cocktails behind the bar. Location.
Ichi Kakiya
Ichi, one of SF's most beloved sushi restaurants, is now shucking oysters at its brand-new raw bar across the street. Go for happy hour (5:30 to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday) and see how many $1 oysters you can slurp down. Location.
Reverb Kitchen & Bar
Verbena, the upscale, vegetarian-heavy restaurant in Russian Hill, has repositioned itself as more casual...and more meat-friendly. For brunch, go for the carrot-cake pancakes with cream cheese and ricotta stuffing and carrot-maple butter. For dinner, you can't go wrong with collards and crispy pork ribs. Location.
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