Small plates of Sri Lankan cuisine tuned toward big flavors reign at this sophisticated, singular eatery in Western Soma by chef-owner Brian Fernando.
Website: 1601sf.com
Number of seats: 49
Average per-person check: $70
Popular dishes: Traditional egg hopper with jidori egg and sambals; local halal goat stew with bee, chèvre mousse and red basmati rice (for two); crispy okra with desiccated coconut and cashew curry.
What people come for: Optional degustation menu for $85
Address: 1601 Howard St.
Phone Number: 415-552-1601

Squid ink noodles

This big, bold and breathtakingly designed new addition to the historic Pacific Telephone Building offers Moroccan food and drink given an adventurously worldly update by chef-owner Mourad Lahlou of Aziza.
Website: mouradsf.com   
Number of seats: 110, plus 30 in the bar/lounge and 20 in private dining rooms
Average per-person check: $40
Popular dishes: La'acha chicken for two with preserved lemon, green olive and marash; eggplant with cucumber, oregano, pepper, flatbread and za’atar; b’steeya with duck, blackberry, hearts of palm, crème fraîche and almond.
What people come for: Progressive cocktail list geared toward dinner menu
Address: 140 New Montgomery St.
Phone Number: 415-660-2500

Duck lamprais

Chefs Melissa Perello, Mourad Lahlou and the team of Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski have scored hits with their new restaurants, and Brian Ferrando, formerly of Le Papillon in San Jose, Calif., has struck out on his own with what is reportedly San Francisco’s first Sri Lankan restaurant.

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"Deviled egg"

Traditional egg hopper

Chef Melissa Perello, of the revered restaurant Frances, expanded from the Castro to Pacific Heights to open her second restaurant, a new destination marked by a mix of playfulness, imagination and elegant sophistication.
Website: octavia-sf.com
Number of seats: 55
Average per-person check: $68
Popular dishes: “Deviled egg” with Fresno chile relish, marash pepper and spice; chilled squid ink noodles with Cortez bottarga, green garlic and lemon oil; “malfatti” ricotta dumplings with rainbow chard, fennel, olive and pistachio.
What people come for: Extensive wine list, vermouths
Address: 1701 Octavia St.
Phone number: 415-408-7507

Aromatic spiced squab

A look at The Progress' bar

La'acha chicken for two