Six Bay Area Eateries Make Bon Appetite’s ‘America’s Top 50 Best New Restaurants’ List
Each year, Bon Appetite, the powerhouse food magazine, creates an annual list of the Top 50 nominees for “America’s Best New Restaurants of 2018.” This year, the Bay Area claimed six of those coveted top spots. While we wait until August 14, for Bon Appetit’s Top 10 list to be announced, here’s a look at who made the list.
Che Fico on Divisadero Street, is an old-school Italian restaurant that has transformed a retired auto body shop. Led by chefs David Nayfeld and Angela Pinkerton, Che Fico is one of San Francisco’s most talked about restaurants since opening this year, and we can’t find one bad review about it—well, aside from a few Yelp haters, but that’s a given for basically any establishment.
Charter Oak in St. Helena is another highly discussed new restaurant making the list. Charter Oak is a beautifully elegant restaurant set in an all brick building featuring a large wood-burning oven, from which they produce eclectic and almost fully farm to table menu options. With great outdoor seating options, a variety of wine options, and a seasonal menu that could excite even the most experienced of foodies.
RT Rotisserie in Hayes Valley is a casual chicken-based restaurant that doesn’t give up quality for quantity. RT’s rotisserie chickens and sandwiches are to die for, and from roasted brussel sprout caesar to the umami fries, you really can’t go wrong with any of their sides.
Robin in Hayes Valley is an omakase-style sushi eatery filled with decor that you normally wouldn’t expect to see in a sushi joint, such as metallic paint dripping down the walls and bright colors but, just like Chef-owner Adam Tortosa’s inventive menu, it all works.
Sorrel in Pacific Heights features local-Californian inspired cuisine with Italian influences. Their executive chef, Alexander Hong, also plans on rolling out a full five-course tasting menu later this month so stay tuned.
Nyum Bai in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood brings Cambodian cuisine into the spotlight. And Chef Nite Yun is a Cambodian immigrant and rising star that’s been winning hearts with her menu centered around the foods and ingredients she grew up with.