Zuni Cafe

San Francisco, US

Since 1979, Zuni Café has been a boisterous bistro mainstay of the Hayes Valley neighbourhood. Under the early guidance of the late Judy Rodgers, the restaurant championed local, sustainable, organic agriculture in a time before most Americans even recognised those terms. Diners still flock here for the signature chicken, roasted to golden brown in a wood-fired brick oven according to Rodgers' recipe (you can purchase the cookbook and follow the more than four pages-long recipe yourself if you enjoy a challenge). Steered by executive chef Gilbert Pilgram since 2006, when he joined Judy as second chef-owner, he has maintained her standards. The rest of the daily changing, seasonal menus – including one dedicated to fresh oysters and shellfish – skews Eurocentric: simple and hearty with many dishes perfumed by the savoury wood smoke of the grill.

Key Information

• Average price per person $72
• Lunch: Fri – Sun Dinner: Tues – Sun
• +1 415 552 2522
• Visit Zuni Cafe's Website

Location

1658 Market Street, Hayes Valley, San Francisco, CA 94102