New on Resy: Nobu, AL’s Place, Petit Marlowe, Kin Khao, and More

From the artful, vegetable-focused plates to the sunny patio seating, there’s little left to be desired at chef Aaron London’s place. Nothing you’ll eat here is like anything you’ve had before. Take the fries — brine-pickled and served with smoked applesauce — for example. If you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of the chef himself, recognizable by his slick-as-ever man bun.

This intimate neighborhood restaurant offers authentic Sicilian fare best experienced through one of three daily-changing tasting menus. Start off with a Negroni or a spritz from the distinctly Italian beverage menu, and expect dishes spanning from hot and cold antipasti, to house-made pasta and pizzas, and hearty mains. Pro-tip: The lunch menu offers arancini and panini, both of which are very worthy of a midday visit.

An upscale diner serving American food with a Japanese spin, Hopscotch is an eclectic little spot in Oakland focused on seasonality and sustainability. Chef Kyle Itani’s unique fare is both creative and comforting: there’s a yonsei oyster with sea urchin, salmon roe, and citrus soy; soba bucatini in a spicy tomato sauce topped with herbs and pecorino; and a burger with griddled beef tongue, pickled onions and sesame aioli. His partner and GM Jenny Schwarz runs the beverage program, which offers expertly crafted cocktails and hops & scotch pairings.

This New American restaurant located in the East Bay boasts an impressive patio, outfitted with heat lamps for colder days and umbrellas for sunnier ones. It’s a decidedly relaxed place for any occasion, offering quality fare with a focus on local goods — think fava bean bruschetta, lobster mac & cheese, and miso-glazed black cod.

Nobu’s first NorCal location provides the Silicon Valley set with typical Nobu fare, plus locally inspired dishes and signature cocktails. It’s a fierce addition to Palo Alto’s lunch and dinner scene; now the tech sector can get down to business over yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño and black cod with miso.

Understood as an ideal neighborhood restaurant definitive of San Francisco’s Outer Sunset, Outerlands is still very much a restaurant worth traveling for. The walls are made of reclaimed driftwood, the atmosphere is always easygoing, and the food is both fortifying and delicious. Enjoy house-baked bread with house-made ricotta or steak with sunchoke and broccoli, only a stone’s throw away from the sea.

This Parisian-inspired wine bar and oysterette from restauranteurs Anna Weinberg and James Nicholas (Marlowe, Park Tavern, The Cavalier, Leo’s Oyster Bar) is an ideal (and leisurely) gathering place. Chef Jennifer Puccio oversees the menu, which includes (but is not limited to) a varied selection of oysters, cheese and charcuterie, tartare, and toast. The wine list, which benefits from sommelier Mark Bright’s expertise in French grapes, has many fantastic bottles to choose from.

Chef/owner Adam Tortosa boasts solid sushi chops, having honed his craft under Los Angeles master sushi chef, Katsuya Uechi. Now, he’s bringing his own spin on contemporary Japanese – with local and sustainable omakase – to Hayes Valley. Other reasons to visit: the stylish interior, hip-hop soundtrack, and pretty ceramics made by local craftsmen.

You haven’t tasted Thai food until you’ve tried the offerings at Michelin-starred Thai eatery, Kin Khao. In lieu of pad thai and chicken skewers, this Union Square staple presents creative and artful dishes like Yaowaraj noodles, Bangkok Chinatown stir-fried rice noodles, and Khao mun gai–chicken fat rice.