1) a real California burrito place (in the Mission, preferably), I rarely get a burrito anywhere else except La Taqueria (misnamed as El Taqueria here) on Mission near the corner of 25th. This is the highest quality carne asada and a crucial difference is that they do not include rice in the burrito, just beans and meat and any extras you want. They also have excellent lean carnitas. I HATE rice in my burrito. I also like Taqueria Cancun on Valencia near 16th but they started putting rice in the burrito about 18 years ago, so I have to ask for it to be left out. Meat not as tender as La Taqueria. What these 2 places lack is great kicking salsa, which Taqueria Cancun (2 locations) has. The original on Mission near 15th (I think) is in crack-head row, though. I had a burrito recently at El Toro and disliked it intensely. Must mention that there are 2 places to get great tacos al pastor - Tacqueria San Jose on Mission at 16th and a taco truck on 16th near South Van Ness. Must also mention interesting Mexican food at Chava's across from San Jose. Famous for soups and I love the machaca for breakfast (eggs with shredded beef, tortillas on the side.) 2) a fantastic and interesting dinner place (nothing stuffy or traditional French please) in the $100/per person range, sorry, not had high end since the last round of musical chefs--I would hands down go to Masa's given the opportunity (been to Danko very good). 3) a good Italian joint We don't have Italian "joints", really. Most older places are family-style (La Felce, The Gold Spike) or Ligurian seafood stew. Rose Pistola is doing Ligurian/Cal, but higher end and fancy. I do like Osteria (L'Osteria) del Forno on Columbus for a casual storefront place with good intentions. It is tiny and does not take reservations. Everything is made in the oven. I love the Shakerato coctail--campari shaken hard with orange peel and ice. It is fun to get an assortment of items to share, do check the specials. They have roast pork braised in milk--can be heavenly but also fatty once in a while. I have had two interesting meals at Da Flora on Columbus just past the park, other side of the street, same street as the church. It is charming, quirky and romantic, but has a menu that is a little hard to order from. Someone in the kitchen makes everything from scratch and really puts in a lot of care, I think the whole place is run by 2 people. Delfina get raves. I had one great meal and 2 so-so's there. Very crowded and hard to get in. They have a truly perfect salad: shredded lettuce with proscuitto and chopped walnuts, I don't know how they make it so perfectly. 4) the best place for Dim Sum. Yang Sing is the tried and true SF Classic classy operation and the Rincon Annex location (Stewart Street at Mission near the water) is open on weekends. I have been eating here for years and years, it is owned by a local family. Yes it is expensive; white table cloths, great service. Eat slowly and wait for everything to come around including the peking duck served in individual pieces and the minced squab in lettuce cups. They often carry small trays around with piping hot soft-shell crab, shrimp or stuffed tofu so get that if offered. Ask for what you don't see. I always get the custard tarts for dessert but recently tasted the good mango pudding, and the chewy sesame covered things are good. Ton Kaiang is great, but it just ain't Yank Sing. 5) And if anyone knows a great bakery for breakfast and coffee, we wouldn't mind the suggestion. Tartine (18th) is the new, new place and I am addicted to the ham and cheese crossiant--this is a must have. Or you can get the big slab of bread with the ham and cheese and bechamel, but it is twice as much. Service can be a problem. Also they make things in small batches throughout the day and are often out of the H&C crossiant. I had an excellent strab/rhub galette too. 18th and Guerrero. Where are you staying? Perhaps there is something else near you to recommend. I do recommend Tadich too, if you want to see old style SF. I used to get the petrale or sand dabs, but a waiter recommended the seafood saute and it is really a deal for $20 you get a big serving of scallops, shrimp and crab in a white wine butter sauce. No reservations, closes early, prepare to wait. California Street at Battery in Financial Dist. I'm a fan of Citizen Cake for dinner with the new chef Jennifer Cox. Had an outstanding meal here. She does a fantastic tuna tartare with cucumber foam and I had skatewing on couscous with curry viniagrette. She likes to pair fruit with local cheeses. Chic atmo too. If a symphony or opera is on it can be mad until showtime. Odd I have not had much dessert here, since this is owned by prominent pastry chef Elizabeth Falkner, but the peach handpie last year was divine, and the bakery case is outrageous. You can stop in for bakery and dessert anytime, I had a great brunch once, but not sure about a.m. hours. They have a website.