Looking ahead to the 2012 American Dental Association annual session: The insider's guide to San Francisco

Editor's Note: If you're heading to the ADA Annual Session in San Francisco, wouldn't it be nice to know which restaurants and activities should be on your "must-do" list in the "City by the Bay?" We asked San Francisco locals Dr. Cynthia Brattesani, Bete Johnson (director of business development for CareCredit), and Dr. Fred and Ina Pockrass to give us their opinions and suggestions. Here's what they had to say...

Click here to view a Google map of all the restaurants mentioned below. Note: The Moscone Center is designated by a green pushpin. All restaurants are designated by blue markers.

Farina Focaccia & Cucina Italiana
3560 18th Street
415.565.0360
farina-foods.com‬
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What our local, Dr. Cynthia Brattesani, says: They have specialties from Northern Italy, specifically from the province of Liguria (the province where you find the cities of Genova – the birthplace of Christopher Columbus – and Portofino, as well as Cinque Terre). This restaurant is known for its homemade pasta, focaccia and pesto. It's found in the characteristic Mission District and is only a 12-minute cab ride from Moscone Center. It’s a great modern atmosphere with traditional recipes! They also have a more private dining area for parties upstairs.

Ristorante Capannina
1809 Union Street
415.409.8001
capanninasf.com‬
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Dr. Brattesani says: This restaurant is located on Union Street in the historical Cow Hollow District and offers authentic Italian dishes. The owner uses all fresh ingredients, so it’s a smaller restaurant – ideal for no more than a party of eight. It is a neighborhood restaurant and all the waiters are Italian. It’s about 15 minutes from Moscone Center.

Kokkari Estiatorio
200 Jackson Street
‪415.981.0983‬‬‬‬
‬kokkari.com‬
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Dr. Brattesani says: Switching gears, I love Kokkari – an authentic Greek restaurant. One of the main owners is a dentist. You wouldn't think Greece is going bankrupt when you enter this restaurant, as it is always busy! It has a rustic décor, including booths and large family tables (even round ones). They also have larger private dining rooms. It’s about 12 minutes from Moscone Center.

Michael Mina
252 California Street
415.397.9222
michaelmina.net
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Our local, Bete Johnson, says: I love this place, but it’s pricey.

Wayfare Tavern
558 Sacramento Street
415.772.9060
wayfaretavern.com
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Tommaso’s Ristorante Italiano
1042 Kearny Street
415.398.9696
tommasos.com
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Washington Square Bar and Grill
1707 Powell Street
415.433.1188
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Kuleto’s Restaurant
221 Powell Street
415.397.7720
kuletos.com
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Farallon
450 Post Street #4
415.956.6969
farallonrestaurant.com
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The Buena Vista Café
2765 Hyde Street
‪415.474.5044‬‬‬‬
‬thebuenavista.com‬
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Johnson says: The Buena Vista is a landmark at Fisherman's Wharf. This is the home of the original Irish coffee.

Fleur de Lys
777 Sutter Street
hubertkeller.com
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Also if you have time, Johnson says: Grab a loaf of sour dough bread, fresh crab, bottle of red wine, and take the red and white ferry over to Sausalito.

Burma Superstar
309 Clement St
415.387.2147
burmasuperstar.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina Pockrass say: Quite possibly the best Asian food around; fresh, spicy, original – and always packed.

Greens
Fort Mason, Building A
415.771.6222
greensrestaurant.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: Greens is located at The Marina, with a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s high-end vegetarian, but delicious enough to please the most discriminating omnivore.

Betelnut
2030 Union St.
415.929.8855
www.betelnutrestaurant.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: Betelnut is a high-end, Asian-inspired, and very creative restaurant with a fabulous atmosphere.

Boulevard
1 Mission St.
415.543.6084
boulevardrestaurant.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: Located downtown, Boulevard is the quintessential example of California cuisine. It is expensive – and worth it.

COI
373 Broadway
415.393.9000
coirestaurant.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: COI is art as food. They offer an 11-course meal that changes with what’s in season.

Flour + Water
2401 Harrison St.
415.826.7000
flourandwater.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: Flour + Water takes pasta to a whole new level. Simple, yet imaginative Italian cuisine.

Nopa
560 Divisadero Street
415.864.8643
nopasf.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: Nopa is open late. It’s the restaurant where the local chefs dine after hours.

Pesce Seafood Bar
2227 Polk Street
415.928.8025
pescebarsf.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: Italian-style seafood stars here. Small plates, always fresh.

Quince
470 Pacific Avenue
415.775.8500
quincerestaurant.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: When we want a truly extraordinary, memorable meal, we splurge here. Prepare to savor every bite.

Osha Thai
‪149 2nd Street
‪415.278.9991‬‬‬‬‬
oshathai.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: Upscale, affordable Thai food. Yum!

Range
842 Valencia Street
415.282.8283
rangesf.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: Range is down-home American cuisine with a California twist.

The Slanted Door
1 Sausalito – San Francisco Ferry Building #3
415.861.8032
slanteddoor.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: Vietnamese food served in a gorgeous location, right on the bay. Great for sharing.

Yank Sing
Rincon Center
101 Spear St.
415.781.1111
www.yanksing.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: Reliably delicious Chinese food. Dim sum is a specialty. It’s a great place for lunch.

Zuni Café
1658 Market Street
415.552.2522
zunicafe.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: A restaurant that helped define California cuisine. It has a warm, easy atmosphere, and it’s always on target. Great burgers, fresh fish.

Gather
2200 Oxford Street
‎Berkeley, CA
‪510.809.0400‬‬‬‬‬
gatherrestaurant.com
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Dr. Fred and Ina say: Gather is located in a LEED building in Berkeley. It’s a true farm-to-table restaurant. Built and owned by some friends of ours, it’s as delicious as it is beautiful.

Click here to view a Google map of all the restaurants mentioned above. Note: The Moscone Center is designated by a green pushpin. All restaurants are designated by blue markers.