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EXPLORE LOCAL AREA | | | | | | | Alegrias, Food from Spain2018 Lombard St
San Francisco,
CA
94123
415-929-8888 | | | | | Description: MARINA DISTRICT. Alegrias means "joy," and that's exactly what you'll get after sampling the great tapas at this friendly, family-style place. Among its delicious dishes are conejo à la cazuela (stewed rabbit and vegetables), brandy-flamed cheese, and sweetbreads. Alegrias is also well-known for its paella, prepared with either seafood and chicken or vegetables only. Friendly staff and addictive sangria add to the fun.
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| 2351 Mission St
San Francisco,
CA
94110
415-282-1813 | | | | | Description: MISSION DISTRICT. Charanga adds a Latin twist to San Francisco's melting pot of restaurants. Reasonably priced dishes are a great find and include patatas à la brava (fried potatoes with tomato dipping sauce) and grilled pork chops with potatoes and green beans (which gain kick with a passion-fruit jerk sauce). In fact, many dishes pair meats, seafood, and rustic bases with a sweet-tinged accompaniment, creating a terrific combination of flavors.
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| 1815 Market St
San Francisco,
CA
94103
415-552-4451 | | | | | Description: THE CASTRO. This South American restaurant is a favorite with locals looking for a fun place to gather. Its ambience is that of a bistro, comfortable and welcoming, and tapas are the name of the game. They include ceviches, empanadas, spicy scallop cakes, sauteed tiger prawns with sofrito puree, and blackened duck breast. Salmon, grilled sirloin strips, and quinoa with grilled vegetables are also available. Well-selected wines and cocktails promise apt accompaniments; there's also a prix fixe menu and a Sunday brunch.
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| 3324 Steiner St
San Francisco,
CA
94123
415-567-9588 | | | | | Description: MARINA DISTRICT. Somehow, this restaurant's cozy (albeit expanded) dining room and heated back patio seem precisely proportionate to its small-plate menu. Culinary appeal, however, is tremendous, and Luke Sung's "French tapas" offer an innovative take on Spanish tradition. Delectable tidbits range from foie gras to sea bass, roasted mussels, sweetbreads, and a potato galette all decadent, perfectly prepared morsels. A nice wine list offers by-the-glass selections, and a young, professional crowd contributes to the convivial atmosphere.
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| 1838 Union St
San Francisco,
CA
94123
415-674-8400 | | | | | Description: COW HOLLOW. Playfully bestowed with the Italian word for "optimist" that is, one who always believes that the glass is half full this wine bar also has a way with Italian-inspired tapas. Offering more than 200 by-the-bottle options, Ottimista showcases a changing 25 by-the-glass selections, concentrating on northern Italian vintages. Choose your favorite, and couple it with items like truffled mushroom risotto, a hand-crafted salumi plate, artisanal cheeses, pumpkin ravioli, or a roasted half-chicken. A great date-worthy place.
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| 557 Valencia St
San Francisco,
CA
94110
415-565-0207 | | | | | Description: MISSION DISTRICT. For a taste of Spain in San Francisco, stop by cozy, comfortable Ramblas. The menu offers a wide variety of tapas-appetizers (as the name translates), main dishes, and desserts. The breadth of offerings includes PEI mussels with sheey cream and garlic toast, herb-crusted chicken with Spanish chorizo, and two types of paella. Desserts include a vanilla bean flan that can't be beat.
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| 598 Haight St
San Francisco,
CA
94117
415-551-7900 | | | | | Description: LOWER HAIGHT. Chic and sophisticated, this busy restaurant gains character with dark-wood furnishings, an industrial chandelier, and a cozy, upstairs mezzanine. Named for chef-owner Justine Miner's father, RNM emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients and small plates of comfort food. Grilled fish comes with fresh vegetable sides and pungent sauces. Delightful salads (grilled romaine hearts!), seared bay scallops, chicken pot pie, a wonderful charcuterie plate, grilled quail, and roasted chicken hint at the kitchen's other successes. A few gourmet pizzas figure in as well, and desserts range from homemade Oreo cookies to strawberry shortcake and bread pudding.
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