Food Blogger Sarah Chorey's Guide To San Francisco

Sarah Chorey, the brains and tastebuds behind the popular food blog Sarah Craves, is always on the lookout for her next big meal or adventure. And when it comes to the "mouthwatering, vibrant and innovative" city of San Francisco, Chorey has no trouble uncovering its off-the-beaten-path delicacies, from uncharted wine trails to unusual tasting experiences.

Aside from her blog and appetizing Instagram account @EatThisSF, Chorey also handles digital content for a local beer company and covers the food and drink section for 7x7 magazine. While it's clear she's a woman of many talents, each of Chorey's jobs and hobbies have one thing in common: discovering the most "drool-worthy" food and drink finds in the Bay Area.

That's why we decided to pick her brain and find out her favorite destinations around San Francisco. Whether she's enjoying a fresh bowl of pasta at Cotogna or spending her Saturday eating (and shopping!) her way through Ferry Building Market Place, you can guarantee this adventurous foodie's recommendations will all hit the spot.

How long have you lived in San Francisco? I lived in the South Bay until I was 10, then moved to Seattle until I returned to the Bay Area for college. I officially moved to the city in 2010, so I have been here for eight years eating away all the best spots I can find!

What neighborhood do you live? I live in NoPa, aka North of Panhandle. I love my neighborhood — it’s definitely one of the best areas in the city for good food and drinks. The area around Divisadero Street has seen a renaissance in the past few years with tons of great restaurants and shops popping up to revitalize it into a destination neighborhood!

What’s your occupation? Besides the very official job title of “food blogger,” I handle all of the digital content for Fort Point Beer Company, an awesome local craft brewery. Outside of that, I also do freelance writing and photography covering food and drink for 7x7, a Bay Area arts and culture magazine. So a little bit of everything!

Describe San Francisco in three words: Mouthwatering. Vibrant. Innovative.

What’s your favorite overall San Francisco restaurant? Cotogna. Hands down. This is such a reliable, drool-worthy gem of a spot — always amazing fresh handmade pastas, pizzas and Italian small plates. The ambiance is warm and that perfect mid-scale vibe where you feel like you’re having a luxurious night out without the stuffiness or over-pricing of some other fine dining spots.

Best sushi: Robin. This spot has some of the best omakase I’ve had in the city. The decor is also spot-on — young, vibrant, hip and fresh. Plus the old-school jams they play are the perfect backdrop for a fun, good night out. Make sure to sit at the chef’s counter to see him work his sushi magic!

Best Italian food: Cotogna

Best dessert: Tough call! I’m an ice-cream girl all the way so I’d usually say Loving Cup, where you can make your own frozen yogurt combinations from scratch by starting with a basic chocolate or vanilla base and adding mix-ins. When I’m feeling like a baked treat, b. Patisserie has the most amazing cookies, cakes and treats. Their kougin amanns (imagine you inverted the buttery, flaky layers of a croissant and covered it in sweet sugar to give it a crispy crust) — is something I can never say no to.

Best pizza: One of my favorites that is consistently awesome is Del Popolo. They started out as a giant pizza truck with a massive stone oven, then eventually built out their brick-and-mortar spot where you can get the best wood-fired ‘za.

Best spot for a quick lunch: Souvla! Their salad with rotisserie chicken and “granch” dressing is amazing. Plus, I always get their perfectly crispy fries to add a little extra “balance” to my meal.

Best food truck: Señor Sisig. This truck is a fantastic mashup of Filipino and Mexican food. They use traditional Filipino-cooking styles infuse the flavors of the Philippines into the meat, then stuff it into drool-worthy burritos and tacos, or heaped on top of nachos or fries.

Best spot for a romantic date: Octavia. This restaurant is nestled in the hills of Pac Heights and offers exquisite American dishes, each featuring a unique twist without going over the top! The atmosphere is simple yet refined, with a relaxed, intimate ambiance.

Best glass of wine: Bodega. This is the perfect neighborhood wine bar nestled in the bustle of North Beach. Sun streams through generously large windows over bright white marble countertops for the best ambiance. Plus, they have great small plates if you need a nibble.

Best Sunday brunch: Outerlands. It’s a classic choice, but rightfully so. The egg-in-a-hole, Dutch pancakes, grilled cheese and seasonal dishes are always worth popping in for a weekend (or weekday) brunch.

Best spot for a business meeting: Wayfare Tavern. This place has cozy dark wood interiors, offset with white and black tiles for the perfect balance of classy sophistication. Plus, I’m sure the best business gets done over a basket of the fresh popovers with butter and plates of organic fried chicken.

Best cup of coffee or tea: I’m actually not a big coffee or tea drinker, but am partial to the toast at The Mill. This is definitely my go-to for a morning cafe session. If you’re all about coffee the city favorites are Blue Bottle, Sightglass and Ritual Coffee Roasters.

Best steak: Lolinda. This Mission restaurant is a mix of sexy and energetic — far less stuffy than the usual steakhouse feel, which is why I love it. It’s the perfect spot for a night out with a group or a special occasion warranting a feast of delicious Argentine meats and sides.

Best craft cocktail: El Techo de Lolinda. This spot is great for good drinks, but it is also actually my favorite for pretty much any occasion. It’s one of our few rooftop bars in the city, located in the Mission to give you stunning views of the entire city skyline. I have definitely spent more than a few afternoons sipping away up here!

What hotel would you recommend for your out of town guests? Proper Hotel San Francisco. I confess, I’ve never stayed here, but I’ve eaten at this hotel’s new restaurants quite a bit and they’re incredible. (That’s normal to judge a hotel by the quality of it’s restaurants, right?) The hotel hosts two spots, Villon and Charmaine’s — the former is a fantastic spot for brunch, lunch or dinner, while the later is a rooftop bar that opens up right into the city skyline for an up-close view of our sparkling night scape.

Favorite shopping venue or boutique: The San Francisco Ferry Building Market Place. When it comes to clothes, I’m big on online shopping. My preferred in-person shopping is for great food! The Ferry Building has an amazing selection of artisan food, beverages and treats. It’s always a treat to spend an early Saturday morning their exploring the weekly farmers' market and the stores within.

Best gym or fitness studio: I tend to focus on at-home workouts or running through Golden Gate Park. All of my friends swear by Barry’s Bootcamp though!

Best spa: Nob Hill Spa

Favorite charity event or organization: Taste of the Nation! This is an awesome event where the proceeds go to help No Kid Hungry, an amazing program helping to end childhood hunger through various initiatives. The culinary partners they work with are always a showcase of the best in the city — the best eats for the best cause!

Favorite cultural event: Bay To Breakers — the whole city shuts down for a massive run from downtown across the city, finishing at the west edge of the city at Ocean Beach. Most people opt to dress up in fun costumes and walk the course after the real runners depart, creating our own sort of giant Mardi Gras parade of ridiculousness.

What’s the best museum or current exhibit in San Francisco? SFMOMA! The work here is incredible and I love getting lost amongst the several floors of artwork, walking across the domed open-skylight suspension bridge, or taking a moment to sit outside and gaze at the giant living plant wall.

Best historic or iconic San Francisco landmark to see or explore: Fort Point — this area from Crissy Field up underneath the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the best places to take in the city. You can look back on our stunning skyline, take in views of Alcatraz, and of course gaze on one of the prettiest bridges in the world.

What’s your all-time favorite spot in San Francisco? Ocean Beach. I absolutely love the beach and whenever I come out here I always have the best time, whether it’s for an evening bonfire, weekend picnic, or a long beach walk.

The best aspect of San Francisco is: The culture

Image Credit: Sarah Chorey