San Francisco Guide to Eating
Name: Chaya Restaurant and Brasserie
Address: 132 The Embarcadero, 94105 (map it)

The Chaya Restaurant and Brasserie in San Francisco serves up French-Japanese fusion food for a hip yet sophisticated crowd of foodies. Situated comfortably on the Embarcadero near downtown but not in it, Chaya is good for both work and play. There is a lively jazz bar in the front room and quiet upscale dining area in an adjoining room, making Chaya the perfect place when you are in the mood to splurge on some fancy martini's and sushi in a sleek relaxed environment.

As their website states, "Chaya Brasserie, which opened in early February, 2000 on San Francisco's Embarcadero quickly became a favorite of the city's discerning restaurants. Joining Chaya Brasserie in Los Angeles and Chaya Venice, Chaya Brasserie, San Francisco, fuses the elements that have captured and held Southern California's most glamorous diners for over seventeen years with the aesthetics and ingredients of the Bay Area. Executive Chef Shigefumi Tachibe, who pioneered Franco-Japanese cooking at La Petit Chaya in the 1980's and was awarded Chef of the Year by the Southern California Restaurant Writers Associations in 1998, is at the helm of the kitchen and sushi bar. The 170 seat restaurant with the magnificent views of the San Francisco Bay Bridge combines the innovative cuisine, international design, original art work and panache that define all three Chayas." The food is top notch, drinks are impeccably made and creative and the prices won't totally break the bank.

Insider tip: While this restaurant is not listed as a "sushi" restaurant per se, the sushi is some of the best in the city. Particularly the super fresh sashimi and the famed "San Francisco Roll".