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In Depth

Associated with legendary chefs like Alice Waters and Thomas Keller, the San Francisco Bay Area has long been a top destination for foodies. As SF has become an increasingly exclusive enclave for the wealthy, and the surrounding areas have gentrified, fine dining options have only multiplied. This list, presented in no particular order, looks at six top restaurants serving innovative fare.

#1 on the list is State Bird Provisions. A contemporary American restaurant, its origins lie in a recipe for serving quail, California's official bird, by chef-owners Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski. The menu changes frequently at this Michelin-starred establishment. It has also been recognized or enthusiastically reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle, The Saucy Awards, and The World's 50 Best Discovery List.

Next door to State Bird's location in the Western Addition neighborhood of San Francisco lies sister restaurant, The Progress. Run by the same James Beard Award-winning duo, it serves banquet-style meals with memorable wines. Upstairs, Brioza and Krasinski rent an event space called The Workshop, which hosts up to 48 people and offers a menu handcrafted by the two restaurants' chefs, sommeliers, and bartenders.

Upstairs, Brioza and Krasinski rent an event space called The Workshop, which hosts up to 48 people and offers a menu handcrafted by the two restaurants' chefs, sommeliers, and bartenders.

At #2, Rooh is an urban, Indian-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar located in the heart of San Francisco. A communal space for relaxed social dining, the food service business draws its inspiration from the vibrancy of the culture, art, and music, as well as the innovative spirit of modern India. The menu is presided over by chef Sujan Sarkar.

Combining unique Indian ingredients with the very best of California produce, the menu includes fresh, seasonal dishes that are an interpretation of customary Indian sensibilities through the use of international techniques and inspirations. The cocktail list includes 12 distinctive concoctions based on the six rasas, or tastes, promoted by the Ayurvedic system.

For #3, we've got Boboquivari's, the name of which is derived from Boboquivaris, the Venetian court jester of comedy, embodied in a popular Italian marionette. Commonly known as Bobo's, the restaurant offers a stylish twist on the traditional steakhouse. Chef Andrea Froncillo, born in a seaside town in Campania, has created a menu that blends steak, crab, and comfort food.

Chef Andrea Froncillo, born in a seaside town in Campania, has created a menu that blends steak, crab, and comfort food.

Bobo's signature Porterhouse steak comes from a top-quality purveyor that dry-ages its beef for 4-to-6 weeks. The restaurant's other headline item is Dungeness crab that is harvested locally from the Pacific Ocean. The full menu includes a range of other beef and fish selections, as well as an array of appetizers and sides. The eatery has received enthusiastic reviews, as well as a number of distinctions and awards.

At #4, Octavia is a restaurant from award-winning chef Melissa Perello. Defined flavors and seasonally driven cuisine are the cornerstones of its menu, served in an elegant but relaxed neighborhood setting. An open kitchen highlights the original framework and masonry of the building's 19th century roots. The 55-seat dining room's floor plan is open too, bringing in abundant natural light.

Octavia has been awarded a number of top distinctions, including a Michelin Star. Major publications, including Eater, Wine Spectator, Bon Appetit, and Food and Wine, have given the eatery rave reviews. The acclaimed chef maintains two sister establishments. Frances, serving contemporary California fare, lies just a short drive away. While M. Georgina, the menu of which changes daily, is in Los Angeles.

Major publications, including Eater, Wine Spectator, Bon Appetit, and Food and Wine, have given the eatery rave reviews.

Coming in at #5, Pausa offers authentic Italian fare made from scratch with Northern California ingredients by chef-owner Andrea Giuliani. These dishes are paired with an all Italian wine list and craft cocktails and spritzes. The name translates to "pause," and Giuliani and co-owner Steve Ugur imagined the eatery as a place where guests can take a short recess from their daily pace of life.

The Michelin Guide has recognized Pausa's pizza as one of the best in San Francisco. The restaurant's dining room space has been celebrated by the International Interior Design Association. The restaurant's private Bolle Room seats 38 guests for formal dinners, cocktail receptions, and luncheons. A Chef's Table can be booked for a behind-the-scenes experience during which patrons enjoy a spontaneous, seasonal tasting menu.

Concluding the list at #6, it's The Terrace Room, located inside The Lake Merritt Hotel, where a 1920s Art Deco supper club space offers panoramic views of Oakland's eponymous body of water. The full service restaurant emphasizes local and regionally grown foods, with classic American dishes presented in seasonally appropriate menus. A full bar provides wine, beer, and cocktails.

The full service restaurant emphasizes local and regionally grown foods, with classic American dishes presented in seasonally appropriate menus.

Special events at The Terrace Room run the gamut from private dinners to public affairs, including a regular trivia night. The dining space is also available for wedding and other celebration rentals. The food has been highly recommended by a number of local publications, and critics have paid particularly high regards to the brunch menu, singing the praises of dishes like chicken and waffles.