Lani Conway

Oakland

food and pop culture. senior editor @infatuationsf, former editorial director @Zimbio. Former @ColumbiaJourn, @Sanfranmag

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Articles

The Best Things Infatuation SF Writers Ate In June 2025

2 days ago | theinfatuation.com | Julia Chen |Patrick Wong |Lani Conway

There are no misses in Zentarou’s nine-course omakase, but among the 12 nigiri that are part of the experience, the A5 wagyu is the one we want a dozen more of. A big slab is draped over the rice, hiding it from view. Things could stop there and we’d be perfectly satisfied, but a slice of truffle added on top lends a bit of earthiness that supercharges the natural flavor of the beef.
State Flour Pizza

1 month ago | theinfatuation.com | Lani Conway

This small, understated pizzeria in Elmwood might not turn heads, but it quietly makes next-level New York-style pies. The key to State Flour Pizza’s greatness is their slightly tangy, slightly sweet tomato sauce and delicate crust that manages to hold up under the weight of the cheeses and seasonal ingredients. The Casanova is topped with what feels like every kind of meat imaginable, and the Darcy is an umami-packed wonder with chorizo, anchovies, and pickled onions.
The 15 Best Filipino Restaurants In SF

1 month ago | theinfatuation.com | Gabi Moskowitz |Julia Chen |Patrick Wong |Lani Conway

Located inside a Daly City gas station, Russ Fam Kitchen makes lechon kawali so crispy, one bite could trigger the alarms of all of the cars filling up. The takeout-only spot also serves great renditions of other Filipino staples like lumpia and dinakdakan, alongside birria tacos and Dubai chocolate strawberries for dessert. If the short walk to your car is too much to bear, a couple of picnic tables out front are almost always empty so you can start eating immediately.
14 Places To Take Tourists In SF That Won’t Make You Hate Yourself

1 month ago | theinfatuation.com | Julia Chen |Lani Conway |Ricky Rodriguez |Patrick Wong

Any time someone new comes to town, they want a Mission burrito. You should absolutely take them to get one, even if they didn’t ask (but you already knew that). La Taqueria’s rice-less behemoth is certainly the most famous—and worth braving the line. They’re a glorious ratio of pinto beans to perfectly charred, perfectly fatty carne asada, and melty cheese inside a 13-inch tortilla.
The 18 Best Breakfast Sandwiches in SF

2 months ago | theinfatuation.com | Patrick Wong |Julia Chen |Lani Conway |Ricky Rodriguez

Every component of the Devil’s Teeth breakfast sandwich is in peak performance mode. Buttermilk biscuits are soft and buttery, scrambled eggs cook just until they border custard, and strips of bacon add a much-needed crunch. Always go for The Special, which includes avocado and a generous coating of their lemon-garlic aioli. The Outer Sunset bakery is packed on weekends, but their FiDi and Richmond locations have way shorter lines.
The Best Places To See And Be Seen In SF

2 months ago | theinfatuation.com | Julia Chen |Patrick Wong |Ricky Rodriguez |Lani Conway

This cocktail spot in North Beach is always packed with dates, freshly dumped twenty-somethings, and big groups trailing behind someone in a birthday sash. You’re here to jumpstart an unhinged night out with fancy cocktails or because Vesuvio had approximately two square feet of available standing room. Strut around and let everyone witness that outfit you painstakingly curated before you sweat through it down the street at Tupelo—and scoop up any fellow chaos agents on your way out the door.
Restaurants Near Every SF BART Station

2 months ago | theinfatuation.com | Julia Chen |Patrick Wong |Will Kamensky |Lani Conway

The $45 lunch prix fixe with the soft serve sundae for dessertChase Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers can unlock access to primetime reservations on OpenTable through the Visa Dining Collection. Find exclusive bookings here. Special occasions and great cocktailsBánh khọt caviar, bò tái chanh, and bun chaChase Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers can unlock access to primetime reservations on OpenTable through the Visa Dining Collection. Find exclusive bookings here.
Where To Eat Dips & Talk Sh*t In SF

2 months ago | theinfatuation.com | Julia Chen |Patrick Wong |Ricky Rodriguez |Lani Conway

Beit Rima in Duboce Triangle is loud (as is their other location in Cole Valley)—so any dramatic personal details are kept relatively confidential while you swipe pita through every square inch of the no-skips mezze sampler. Be sure to throw in the puffy za’atar-topped house bread to get the last bits of tangy lebna and the muhammara that’s smooth enough to lay a brick wall. When your group has so much to catch up on that you have a shared Notes app agenda, book a table at Kitchen Istanbul.
Piccino Coffee Bar

2 months ago | theinfatuation.com | Lani Conway

Piccino Coffee Bar is one of many great options for coffee on and around 22nd Street in the Dogpatch. The standing-room-only coffee shop next door to its namesake restaurant is located in the same yellow Victorian and makes croissants, scones, and banana bread, plus fantastic espresso-based drinks. For a quick refuel later in the day, head to the fridge for pre-made salads, sandwiches, and onigiri.
El Chato - Review - Mission - San Francisco - The Infatuation

2 months ago | theinfatuation.com | Lani Conway

At this Spanish taberna in the Mission, one glass of wine could easily turn into five—and not just because the live band playing under the dangling jamón-shaped lights inspires you to extend the night with tinto and vermouth. At some point, you’ll also be handed a porrón and invited to take a stream of vino blanco straight to the mouth. Like any great taberna, there’s a long menu of tapas, pintxos, and cured meats, too.