When it's cocktail hour, it's easy to forget about the heated Enrico's patio all the way up in North Beach. Although Mojitos are king, the summer drink de choix is the Strawberry Drop, a bright red creation made with fresh berries that elicits oohs and aahs every time one is delivered to the see-and-be-scene deck on Broadway. Once your buzz is solid, surprise yourself with the consistently outstanding Cal-Mediterranean cuisine of Chef Luis Olvera, who eschews the neighborhood's garlic fetish, relying more upon shallots, thyme, and homemade stocks to flavor his organic meats and local produce.

- by Tracie Broom