Alta, San Francisco, USA

Located in San Francisco’s buzzy Dogpatch district within the Minnesota Street Project, a communal gallery space, Alta is the latest addition to chef Daniel Patterson’s growing group of restaurants and culinary enterprises that also include seafood restaurant Coi and conscientious fast-food hub, Locol.

More than just a restaurant, Alta also serves as a communal space for diners and the artists at the Project. And fittingly, aesthetics play a central role in the design, with a dark walnut bar and tables by local furniture maker Tyler Bradford and a photographic installation by studio resident Catherine Wagner gracing the walls. Raw concrete, an exposed ceiling, and white pendant lighting round out the vaguely industrial vibe.

As with the first Alta, the menu focuses on contemporary Californian cuisine: at breakfast, there’s sweet and savoury porridges; mid-day, snacks like deviled eggs and brown rice puffs are served alongside larger plates, such as Alta’s beloved cheeseburger; and come night, the space hums with energy as guests linger over heartier fare of house made tagliatelle and a daily cut of pork. 

End the evening on a sweet note with a Candy Bar Sundae, and wash everything down with a sparkling wine cocktail that's on tap.