Over the past year a slew of great restaurants, bars and clubs have opened in San Fran, and we’ve been keeping a close eye on their development. Despite the economy being in the crapper, this year still managed to bring us a an impressive amount of great places to eat, drink and dance. After a painstaking selection process, in which we gorged, imbibed, blacked out and then danced our way back to consciousness, we’ve compiled a list of SF’s Best of 2009. In an attempt to maintain our integrity and objectivity we declined sexual favors and based our selections on our personal experiences, ‘cause we’re MetroWize. We go out a lot. It’s sort of our thing. So here’s what we decided were the coolest places and the best spots to hit up on a night out.

Restaurants

Flour + Water
Joining a slew of upscale Italian restaurants that have moved into the Mission, Flour + Water sets itself apart with its precision to detail, its affordability and its accessibility. Focusing on housemade pizzas and pastas (flour and water, duh), this restaurant seeks to pay tribute to the pure, simple cooking of Italy. Plus, according to the head Chef, it serves "the kind of food chefs like to eat”. It's also known for serving one of the best pizzas in all of SF.

Nopalito
This offshoot of the popular restaurant NOPA came about when the owners noticed 2 of their Chefs cooking up amazing rural Mexican dishes for the other restaurant employees. They decided to open up a new spot for the Chefs to explore the home cooking they grew up on, and Nopalito was born. Boasting a mole made of a whopping 27 ingredients, famed food critic Michael Bauer called Nopalito the best Mexican food in the Bay Area. Woa. Plus nothing on the menu costs more than $20 bucks, making it one of the best affordable gourmet dinners around.

Wexlers
Gourmet, BBQ-inspired Southern comfort food landed in SF earlier this year to rave reviews. The head Chef, who used to work at Fifth Floor, Fish & Farm, and also happens to have received a Michelin star, incorporates smoky flavors into almost everything on the menu. The "Scotch Eggs" are the signature dish, but we also recommend the BBQ quail.
Past Coverage: Wexler's Opens Downtown: BBQ Here We Come!

Frances
Famed local Chef Melissa Perello recently opened her own restaurant Frances amidst a media frenzy. Named after her Texan Grandmother, the opening of the much-hyped resto brought casual, upscale California-inspired comfort food to the Castro. The smoked bacon beignets already have a small cult following, and the cozy neighborhood spot boasts one of the best house wines we've ever tasted.
Past Coverage: Frances Restaurant Opens In the Castro

Delarosa
This casual yet upscale Italian restaurant (trend anyone?) in the marina serves up amazing pizza and simple entrées. Delarosa, whose owners are also behind Starbelly in the Castro and Beretta in the Mission, has a delicious artisan cocktail menu- plus the place is open late.
Past Coverage: Delarosa Restaurant: The Marina's Newest Hot Spot

Baker & Banker
The accomplished culinary couple behind Baker & Banker had some big shoes to fill- taking over the old Quince space in Pacific Heights was no small feat. But the restaurant, which serves upscale yet affordable food that is indicative of the SF food scene, became an instant favorite. Serving dinner by night and baked goods by day (the baker is Banker, unfortunately- that was almost really cool), this New American resto has become a cozy neighborhood staple with it's dark leather booths, black and gold color scheme and stained wood tables.

54 Mint
Alan Richman of GQ, who is arguably the best food critic and food journalist in the world, recently named 54 Mint one of the US's best new restaurants. Serving up simple yet flavorful Sicilian cuisine (sans pizza, which looks like a food that has been taken care of this year in SF), this resto seeks to limit the amount of ingredients in a dish to highlight and explore each one.

RN 74
While the jury is still out on whether this place is a wine bar or a restaurant (we've tactfully placed it at the end of our restaurant list close to the bar section...yeah we went to college what what) no one cares because it's still really good. Michael Minna opened his first casual and more affordable (most expensive entrée is $29) restaurant/wine bar/lounge, offering a wine list with 3,000 bottles, bringing the list to a massive 81 pages. Yowza. If you get intimidated by the list you can try out one of the 50 wines by the glass (because that's still not intimidating or anything), none of which cost more than $20. The best dishes can be found in the "anytime" section of the menu.

The Tipsy Pig
The team behind Mamacita, Blue Barn and Umami opened bar and restaurant The Tipsy Pig earlier this year and it has quickly become one of the most popular hangouts in the marina. The British inspired gastrotavern (we've heard of a gastropub but this was a new one) offers 50 brews that come in 3 different sizes as well as some really delicious cocktails. The playful menu features creative comfort food and what Michael Bauer called the best mac 'n cheese in SF.

Bars

Rickhouse
Rickhouse isn't just another 20's style speakeasy/saloon/prohibition blah blah blah thingy. Not only do they elevate mixology to a science and serve the best punchbowls we've ever tasted, but the bartenders actually wear suspenders. It's really cute. The word has gotten out about the thoughtfully made concoctions at this place, and the bar can get really crowded- that being said, there's a second bar in the back that tends to be a little more accessible.
Past Coverage: Rickhouse Helps SF Revive the Cocktail

Bloodhound
With it's rustic wood paneling, antler chandeliers, birds on the ceiling and animals on the wall (paintings, not creepy taxidermy), this "fox and the hound" themed bar is perhaps one of the coolest, chillest spots to grab a drink in the city. The huge space has comfy couches and a pool table, and the beer is served in mason jars. This good 'ole boys drinking den serves up some really, really strong cocktails (ladiesssss) like the Recoil or the famed hot buttered rum. Happy hunting.

Yamasho
Japanese Karaoke evokes memories of 7th grade birthday parties and underage high school drinking for most people, making Yamasho the most legitimate and classy thing that has ever happened to the under-appreciated past-time. Spanning 3 floors, Yamasho serves up really good sushi, sashimi and izakaya on the first floor, which is sandwiched between 2 floors holding 9 private karaoke rooms. This upscale, cleanly spot in Polk Gulch featured phones for ordering and comfy booths in the private rooms, each of which are theme decorated after major International cities. Prices range from $45-$120 an hour, and rooms can accommodate anywhere from 5-20 people. Rooms are 1/2 price at happy hour (5-8) if you wanna belt it out a little earlier.
Past Coverage: Yamasho: Sushi, Sake, and...JAPANESE KARAOKE AAAAAAAH!!!

Smuggler's Cove
This Tiki bar has received a slew of local and even national press, and has been credited with bringing about a national "rum revolution". Accordingly, Smuggler's Cove is home to over 200 rums and 70+ cocktails inspired by the Caribbean and prohibition-era Havana. Located in Hayes Valley, we promise you'll never see a theme bar that's taken its decorations so amazingly serious. Also, make sure to find out about the Rumbustion Society.
Past Coverage: Smugglers Cove - SF's New Tiki Bar

Clubs

Infusion Lounge
Technically Infusion opened in 2008, but it was on December 31st, so we're going to be nice and include them on this list anyways. This classy and popular club, known for it's celeb appearances and sexy go-go dancers, tends to play a mix of hip hop, top 40 and house. Infusion is a popular spot and you can get stuck in really long lines to get in- there are two secrets. One, decide this is the place to splurge on some bottle service and breeze by the freezing girls in mini-skirts waiting outside, or come for dinner. If you eat dinner at Infusion you and your friends avoid the lines and get in to the nightclub for free. Having just re-done their menu, this is a pretty sweet option.
Past Coverage: Infusion Lounge Comes Out With A New Menu
Past Coverage: Infusion Lounge

4Fourteen
Part of and simultaneously separate from Ruby Skye, 4Fourteen used to be Ruby's old smoking lounge. Its now been re-vamped as a VIP Boutique Bar and Lounge with a killer new sound system, antique chandeliers and white leather couches. Serving only top-shelf alcohol, this is one exclusive and classy place. Thursdays nights are the best time to go when DJ Cams and Nate Mesmer hit up the turn tables.
Past Coverage: Ruby Skye Opens 4Fourteen, a VIP Boutique Bar & Lounge

Manor West
The latest club to open in SF, Manor West is a swanky, classy joint that opened in the space that used to be "Boss" in SOMA. After having undergone a major renovation, the paint has dried and attractive, sexy young things flock to party and dance to hip hop, pop and house.
Past Coverage: Manor West Hits South of Market

222 Hyde
222 Hyde isn't necessarily new, but it did just get a massive makeover. Its sound system with "Turbo Sound" is one of the best in SF, giving you a reason to trek down to the tenderloin, which, Dave Chappelle once pointed out, isn't really all that tender. But the thumping house music in this underground dance club isn't the only reason to check this place out: they also serve really legit pizza!
Past Coverage: 222 Club Reopens, Spicing up the TL with Banging' Beats and Gourmet Pizza

Mayes Oyster House
Mayes Oyster House is another great club/lounge that is far from new- this SF staple was built in 1867 and is the oldest Seafood resto in SF! But it did just give itself a much needed makeover and is all new and shiny once again. With a sexy, dark, modern/retro interior, this is a great place to dance with friends or to curl up by the fireplace with a special someone. They have great food and their $1 oysters at Happy Hour (5-6 every day) can't be beat.
Past Coverage: Mayes Oyster House: The Updated Yet Classic Restaurant, Bar and Lounge Reopens

Som
This new club in the Mission has a great sound system, a large dancefloor with plenty of room to kick up your heels, and possibly one of the coolest bar features we've ever heard of. One end of the massively long bar is called the "shotwell" and is like an express lane for shots. Only cash, only shots. Badda bing, badda bang. Tending towards global house, this club is best to visit for "Yoruba Dance Sessions" on Wednesdays or "Braza" on the first Friday of every month- both of these events boast a DJ, live drums and visuals- trippy!
Past Coverage: Som: New Bar & Club To Open in the Mission Nov. 6th