San Francisco is known for its vibrant and eclectic food scene. It’s home to some of the best chefs and restaurants in the world, fostering creativity and innovation in the culinary world. These three restaurants — Pizzeria Delfina, Brenda’s French Soul Food, and Craftsman and Wolves (bakery) — are some of the most influential in San Francisco.
Here’s what eaters and critics alike are saying about these innovative eateries.
Pizzeria Delfina
Pizzeria Delfina a pizza empire run by restaurateur power couple Annie and Craig Stoll. The pizzeria started as an annex to their James Beard Award winning Delfina restaurant in the Mission, fulfilling their dream to bring Neapolitan-inspired pizzas to San Francisco. It grew wildly popular — Pizzeria Delfina became the "darling of the San Francisco food scene," — and since then they’ve opened four locations across the Bay Area.
“Pizzeria Delfina, is an empire… That’s probably because it’s one of the best the city has to offer, with a puffy crust that has nice char and delicious seasonal toppings. Classics like a Margherita will always win hearts and minds, while the salsiccia with housemade fennel sausage, tomato, bell peppers, onions, and mozzarella is also a popular order.” — Eater SF
Press:
Michelin Guide California (Delfina)
“How 20-Year-Old Delfina Changed the Course of San Francisco Dining” — Eater SF
“Best Pizza in Every State” — Food and Wine
“The Best Pizza Spots in San Francisco”— Thrillist
“The 101 Best Pizzas in America” (#20) — The Daily Meal
Yelp Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 2,306 reviews
Yelp Review:
Enia T.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“New Yorker approved! In fact, triple New Yorker approved. Me, my fiancee, and a friend we took here. And we're all Brooklynites, so that's saying something.
Excellent pizza! This is probably some of the best dough I've had in and out of the five boroughs. And I've had all the contenders (Di Fara, Fornino, Motorino). The crust comes out thin but still substantial enough to hold up to the toppings that are piled on top…”
Brenda’s French Soul Food
Brenda’s French Soul Food first opened its doors in 2007 and has become a well-renowned SF classic for its soulful mixture of Southern, Creole and French cuisines presented in a down-home style and atmosphere. Brenda Buenviajé, co-owner and chef proprietor, grew up in New Orleans and was inspired by the abundance of local seafood and produce and the diverse styles of cuisine embodied by her Sicilian, French, and Filipino ascendants.
Her and her restaurant have received countless recognitions, the list below only scratches the surface. Heck, when Pulitzer Prize winning artist Kendrick Lamar came to town for a concert, he and his crew dined at Brenda’s.
“That biscuit is ridiculous! ….it’s so fluffy and flaky and buttery, and it’s got those peaks and valleys…. And that fried chicken!” — Check, Please! Hosted by Leslie Sbrocco
Press:
“Best Fried Chicken in SF” — SF Weekly
“Top 88 Restaurants (2020)” — SF Chronicle
“Top 100 Restaurants (2019)” — SF Chronicle
Michelin-Recommended Restaurant (2015, 2016)
“The 21 Best Southern Restaurants Outside the South” — Thrillist
Yelp Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 11,214 reviews
Yelp Review:
Aleyah L.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Best soul food I've ever had in the Bay Area. Real home style soul food. Everything from this tiny little restaurant is literally to die for. My favorite is the shrimp & grits…”
Craftsman and Wolves
Craftsman and Wolves is a contemporary pâtisserie and bakery cafe best known for ‘The Rebel Within’ — a mystifying savory muffin stuffed with sausage, asiago cheese, and a whole soft-boiled egg suspended inside. Its cross section with the oozing egg yolk is magical. The mastermind behind it all is Chef William Werner who apprenticed under giants like Alice Waters and Daniel Patterson, and has many impressive accolades of his own — James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef (2013) and Outstanding Baker Finalist (2015,2016), Best Baker in SF, just to name a few. He reinvents the classics — like Chocolate Croissants and Valrhona Chocolate Chip Cookies — while crafting his own new classics.
Press:
“If pastries had their own museum — and they should — Craftsman and Wolves would be prominently placed in the modern wing. [...] the Craftsmen and Wolveses are the most inventive dough-slingers in town.” — The Infatuation
“... the Rebel Within, a stunning pastry that at first glance looks like a humble muffin. Slice the Rebel open, and brace for a shock of oozing orange-yellow yolk from a perfect soft-boiled egg... a cheesy-yet-light cake, studded with green onions and sausage.” — Eater SF
Awards:
Outstanding Baker, Finalist (2015, 2016) — James Beard Foundation
Outstanding Pastry Chef, Semifinalist (2013) — James Beard Foundation
Best Pastry Chef — San Francisco Magazine
Top Ten Pastry Chefs of America 2015 — Dessert Professional
2015 Most Passionate Chef/Restaurateur in San Francisco — The Passion Company
Yelp Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 1,607 reviews
Yelp Review:
Bri S.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The Rebel Within is iconic for a reason. Its beauty matches its flavor. The cake/muffin/egg-holder is light, has a nice crunch to the top, and is a savory, flavorful dream house for a perfectly soft boiled egg. I don't know what kind of wizardry they use to make it happen, but it works. And it works perfectly.”
All three of these San Francisco eateries are iconic for their uniqueness and willingness to push boundaries in the culinary world. They are all must tries when you’re in the city. But, rather than venturing out and stopping at each restaurant, you can get Pizzeria Delfina, Brenda’s French Soul Food, and Craftsman and Wolves’ best-selling foods delivered straight to your door all in one box with Locale for only $5.