470 Pacific Ave. (near Montgomery)
San Francisco
Tel. (415) 775-8500
When it was announced that the always-great Quince was moving into the Myth space and gutting the interior, many wondered how the owners could improve on the already handsome design. They did. They dropped an intimate dining room, trimmed in dark wood, into the middle of the space and created an elegant lounge, bar and other dining spaces. The now-enclosed kitchen can be seen from a large picture window on the street. Chef-owner Michael Tusk upped his game, broadening his Italian approach and adding French influences. With his wife, Lindsay, at the front of the house and wine director David Lynch curating the beverage list, it's a beautiful, unbeatable combination.
Specialties: Menu changes nightly; pasta, including a large ravioli where six fillings are included in one large sheet of pasta; sformato (savory custard); seasonal souffles; tasting menu.
Dinner 5:30-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday
From four-star spots to cozy neighborhood joints, these are Michael Bauer's picks for the best in Bay Area dining.