The February Hit List: Mister Jiu’s, Nari, Brenda’s, Dear Inga, and More

Because this restaurant made practically every Best New Restaurant list in 2019, and now is the time to go if you haven’t been. Nari is the modern Thai follow-up to Pim Techamuanvivit’s Michelin-starred Kin Khao. Though newer, Nari feels like the older sibling — a bit more grown up and confident. Order a few things from each section of the menu, and you’ll taste layers of flavors in ways you never knew possible. The crispy eggplant curry is not to be missed, nor are desserts from talented pastry chef Sean Ehland.

Because after a remodel and renovation, Aziza is back and better than ever. For decades, chef-owner Mourad Lahlou (also of Mourad downtown) has been cooking his interpretation of Moroccan cuisine with a California lens. At his reborn Richmond staple, order anything and everything that calls your name — it’ll be splendid. But be sure to start with some housemade bread and dips, and don’t miss the couscous.

Because there’s no other restaurant like it in San Francisco, because there’s no other chef quite like Brandon Jew. A San Francisco native, Jew offers his version of various regional Chinese dishes he grew up eating, but with exceptional sourcing of ingredients and techniques he learned from years of cooking in some of the city’s best restaurants. Think Dungeness crab cheong fun or lion’s head meatballs with black trumpet mushrooms and nettles. Pro tip: Order cocktails here. They’re exceptional, as are Melissa Chou’s desserts.

Because excellent cocktails go perfectly with modern Eastern European food. Definitely start with some langos (Hungarian fry bread), and don’t snooze on the sausages — they’re all made in house and are some of the best in town. Try to sit down at the chef’s counter; it’s where all the action is.

Because you’ll never have to wait in line again! A perennial favorite that draws long lines on weekends, Brenda’s specializes in down-home cooking that draws on southern, Creole and French influences — and now you can grab a Resy there. Start with savory, fresh-from-the-fryer crawfish beignets, move to the shrimp and grits or a seafood po’boy, and finish with more beignets … this time filled with molten chocolate.

Because Foreign Cinema is one the most romantic restaurants in San Francisco. Even on a cold night, you should try to sit outside. Heat lamps will keep you warm, and the glow of the nightly film projected against the wall, combined with the draping white lights, creates a vibe like no other. The impossibly thin carpaccio is a good place to start, and know that the fried chicken set is one of the tops in town.

For reservations, call 415-648-7600.

Because if there was such a thing as a perfect food, pizza would be a top candidate. And if there was such a thing as perfect pizza, Flour+Water Pizzeria would come very close to producing the platonic ideal: a thin and crispy crust with a puffy, charred and chewy cornicione (that’s pizzaspeak for the raised outer rim of the pie). Don’t snooze on the side of ranch — it’s so good you’ll want to throw back shots of it.

Walk-ins only.

Because if anyone can pull off a pan-European wine bar, it’s Michael Tusk, also the chef-owner of nearby Cotogna and three Michelin-starred Quince. At Verjus, he offers Basque snacks and vermouth at the bar, a full menu of French-inspired small plates, and a wall of natural wine to drink or take-away. This place is perfect for a quick glass of wine, a long afternoon of lingering, or a late night stop.

Because this is the spot no one really knows about yet, so you can still get in. Dispensa is an intimate Italian restaurant that centers its menu around a special, Italian-made charcoal grill. Pair any succulent grilled meat with a seasonal vegetable side or two. Add a couple glasses (or bottles) of Italian wine, and you’ve got the perfect date night spot.

Because this is California cuisine at its finest. The neighborhood spot run by talented chef-owner Melissa Perello remains a gem. A daily changing menu highlights pristine ingredients from local farms prepared simply yet elegantly. Think roasted cauliflower soup with farro and medjool dates; or a bavette steak with risotto, broccolini, and horseradish salsa verde.  A menu mainstay not to be missed is the panisse frites. Fun fact: The restaurant is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year. Cheers to another great decade.

For reservations, call 415-621-3870.

Because the best foods are eaten with your hands. Club Waziema looks like a dive bar at first — and it is a very good one — but there’s also a menu of incredibly delicious and hearty Ethiopian stews served with injera, a sour, spongey flatbread.  This is a solid option for both carnivores and vegetarians alike.

Walk-ins only.