Lani Conway

Oakland

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

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Articles

14 Places To Take Tourists In SF That Won’t Make You Hate Yourself

1 week 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 weeks 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 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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.
Where To Take Your Friends Who Won't Shut Up About Missing New York

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

If there’s one thing SF isn’t good at, it’s staying up late. Thankfully, there are places like Big Apple Pizza N Grill. The Tenderloin bodega-style counter-service spot—opened by a team from NYC—is open until 3am most days except for Friday and Saturday when they’re feeding late night crowds until 5am. Get the forearm-length chopped cheese first and foremost and consider getting a slice of pepperoni pizza if you’re feeling nostalgic about a New York dollar slice (but willing to pay $5 for it).
Bar Shiru - Review - Uptown Oakland - San Francisco - The Infatuation

1 month ago | theinfatuation.com | Lani Conway

RESERVE A TABLEBar Shiru is a Tokyo-inspired listening bar we head to with anyone who complains that there are no fancy date-night bars in Oakland. It’s low-lit and moody thanks to a sound system playing tunes that oscillate between sultry and jazzy. Everyone is here to lounge at one of the round tables and drink highballs, Japanese whisky, or their favorite shaken drink while feeling hot, so it’s the move for date night or times you want to have some eyes on you.
Gold Palm - Review - Oakland - San Francisco - The Infatuation

1 month ago | theinfatuation.com | Lani Conway

A new place to party by the Bar Shiru team has sprung up in Gold Palm. The formula for a great time here: stellar cocktails, local wines, and a menu of Pakistani snacks. Gold Palm is our new favorite spot to kick off a night out with friends.