Fine Dining’s Latest Wave in San Francisco: It’s Casual, Playful & Bold
Affordable Michelin-starred to top Korean, private dinner parties to open flame perfection
Second only to NYC in number of U.S. Michelin-starred restaurants — at 1/7 the size — for decades, San Francisco has been one of the best fine dining cities globally, and, of course, the nation. It’s not just some of the world’s best, year-round ingredients. It’s about boundary-pushing, wild west pioneering spirit and bold innovation that defines so many of the industries the Bay Area leads the world in, from tech to environmental practices.
But being California and the West Coast, we’re also long exemplified by casual ease and unpretentious refinement. From an affordable Michelin-starred to top Korean, private dinner parties to fish and game perfection, these five exemplify why SF remains a wonderland of upscale innovation that is simultaneously soulfully delicious.
One Michelin Korean Deserves Two Stars: SSAL
With each visit, including my 2023 visit and review, Michelin-starred SSAL remains a very special modern Korean restaurant, humbly memorable on Polk Street. After my return this summer, it’s clear SSAL and chef Junsoo Bae’s cooking deserve two Michelin stars… not that it’s about the stars, but I use it as a point. This is a 50 Best-worthy kind of spot better than many with more accolades. And it’s one of the best Korean restaurants anywhere.