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The SF Guide

Favorites from a whirlwind eating trip.

Christine Muhlke's avatar
Christine Muhlke
Jan 09, 2026
∙ Paid

Oh, San Francisco! One of America’s best food cities has had an exceptionally rough run. But a recent recon trip for a restaurant client — four days, twelve restaurants, six bakeries, six coffee bars, two bar-bars and a few quick shopping hits — proved that it’s on its way back. It felt a little lighter and less apocalyptic and, among all the bonkers AI billboards, there were signs of the freaky creativity that put SF on the map to begin with, starting with the benefit for Salmon Creek Farm (cooked by the amazing Gerardo Gonzalez) that kicked off the weekend.

Below, you’ll find the cream of this trip. A few classics are included, but while this list is authoritative (ahem), it is by no means complete.

Persimmons from chef Lee Desrosier’s backyard. ($25 men’s Weejuns from Dead Stock Vintage.)

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