Restauranteur Shelley Lindgren’s Favorite Spots in SF

Photo Credit: Frankie Frankeny

One of the things you first notice about Shelley Lindgren when you meet her is her smile. It’s warm, genuine, and welcoming — three characteristics that can also be used to describe her small empire of Italian restaurants. Both A16 and SPQR are warm and welcoming eateries that feature genuine (and delicious) region-specific Italian cuisine. We’re not the only ones who admire Lindgren and her restaurants in awe, just last month, the James Beard Foundation gave her the highest honor in terms of wine restaurant service with the Outstanding Wine Program award. Lindgren travels frequently in Italy where she seeks out little known Italian wine producers, then she brings these wines into the limelight at A16 and SPQR. Since we’re huge fans, we couldn’t help but wonder where Shelley Lindgren, who is a Bay Area native, likes to hang out. Here, she shares her hautest spots in San Francisco.

Birthplace:  San Francisco

Years in SF: 23

Hood you call home: Presidio

Favorite restaurant: Coi

Best sushi: Ichi Sushi

Best Italian: I have lots of favorites here… I eat Italian a lot so sometimes I want certain regional dishes and I also love to support our friends and community from La Ciccia, Acquerello, Delfina to Quince. Yum, all terrific!

Best dessert: Pastry Chef Hannah Buoye’s Panna Cotta over hazelnut butter with compressed plums from A16 Rockridge…dreaming about it. Love B. Patisserie too!

Best Sunday brunch: Foreign Cinema

Best steakhouse: Bourbon Steak

Best pizza: Una Pizza Napoletana

Best lunch: Swan Oyster Depot

Best place for cocktails: Rye

Hotel you recommend to visiting out-of-towners: Hotel Vitale

Favorite shopping venue/boutique:  Fillmore Street

Best Spa: Cavallo Point

Best Salon: diPietro Todd

Favorite Charity Event: Silver Trowel for Slide Ranch

Favorite Cultural Event: North Beach Bazaar & Italian Heritage Parade weekend

Best Gym/Athletic Facility: Soul Cycle

Best Limousine/Driving Service: Uber

Best Museum/Exhibit: Legion of Honor

Favorite park: Golden Gate

Best place to enjoy a view of city: Crissy Field

Favorite touristy place: Golden Gate Bridge

Photo Credit: David WakelyPlace where you always take visitors:  The Ferry Building

Favorite weekend getaway, within driving distance: Stinson Beach

All-around favorite locale in San Francisco, whether a neighborhood, restaurant, venue, or other: Sundays at Off the Grid

Best aspect of living in SF: Because we can source such incredible ingredients year round, San Franciscans know how to eat and drink well.  It’s so much fun and a great community!