San Francisco Restaurants : Nob Hill

Acquerello

Address: 1722 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 (Map) - Tel:(415) 567-5432

Housed in a former chapel, Acquerello is simply heavenly. The stunning pitched roof and calm, peaceful setting offer a cheerful and elegant setting, but it is the service and cuisine that keep guests returning. Chef Suzette Gresham offers tantalizing renditions of modern Italian cuisine, with vibrant, creative dishes such as wide ranch egg pappradelle with moist duck ragu, beet tortelloni filled with spinach and beet greens in gorgonzola cream sauce, and pancetta wrapped diver scallops over wilted Swiss chard. Co-owner Giancarlo Paterlini oversees an impressive wine program, graciously complimenting everything that comes out of the kitchen. Prix fixe menus allow guests to customize a three, four, five-course meal or opt for the seven-course degustation menu.

Harris'

Address: 2100 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109 (Map) - Tel:(415) 673 1888

Harris’ restaurant is an unabashed haven for carnivores. Meat is the star of the simple, unpretentious menu that emphasizes quality aged, corn-fed beef served in a variety of thick, juicy cuts. With deep, semi-circular, leather booths, warm amber lighting, and large hunting murals, Harris’ décor suggests the inviting, and somewhat exclusive, atmosphere of a traditional and stately hunting club. Diners who hold off for the end of the week to indulge their red meat cravings are treated to live jazz from the Susan Chen trio. A crisp, dry martini, a sizzling steak, and a warm, lush environment make Harris’ a deliciously stylish experience.

Masa's

Address: 648 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94108 (Map) - Tel:(415) 989-7154

Masa’s has mastered elegant simplicity. Executive chef Gregory Short continues the Masa tradition of exquisitely prepared and well-paired contemporary French dishes presented in a select assortment of tasting menus. Masa’s menu is trimmed of excess fat, leaving only the most succulent and high quality of dishes organized into overwhelmingly indulgent six and nine-course dinners. Like its pared-down menu, Masa’s décor exudes a confident and precise minimalism. Dark chocolate walls contrast with stark white tablecloths, while vases filled with pink and white roses and black and white toile chairs add notes of pastoral charm. The overall effect suggests Masa’s is a study in the ease and sophistication of culinary expertise at its best.

Big 4

Address: 1075 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108 (Map) - Tel:(415) 771-1140

Nestled in one of San Francisco’s most distinguished luxury hotels, Big 4 restaurant embodies soft romanticism, rich history, and innovative cuisine. Named after the four top nineteenth century railroad tycoons, this mahogany-accented restaurant will transport you with its historical artifacts, live piano music, and forest green banquettes. Their contemporary American menu is carefully crafted to reflect the seasons by talented Executive Chef Gloria Ciccarone-Nehls, a previous recipient of the “Chef of the Year" award by the National Executive Chefs Association. Menu items include light temptations such as the Vietnamese Maine Lobster and Prawn Spring Rolls for the health-conscious, or Rack of Sonoma Lamb Roasted with Rosemary Crust for the more ravenous diner.

Allegro Romano

Address: 1701 Jones Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 (Map) - Tel:(415) 928-4002

With a graduate from a culinary school in Rome as the owner and chef, Allegro Romano is a restaurant where modern décor meets traditional flavors.With time-honored classics such as Bruschetta alla Romana, grilled Italian bread served with garlic and tomatoes, and Homemade Lobster Ravioli gracing the menu of this restaurant, diners’ taste buds will be taken on a culinary adventure through Italian cuisines. This pasta heavy menu affords a number of meatless dishes for the vegetarian to enjoy. Allegro Romano boasts that it is out of the way of many tourist heavy areas in San Francisco, resulting in an oasis of genuinely good food enjoyed in a quiet, friendly atmosphere. In addition to the crisp, white tablecloths and tasteful place settings, patrons of Allegro Romano might also catch sight of a few celebrities that frequent this restaurant for the superior dishes and service.