Bay Area Restaurants Among the Best in the U.S.
1. Sun Moon Studio – West Oakland
A fine-dining gem led by Sarah Cooper and Alan Hsu, featuring an inventive 12- to 14-course tasting menu.
Recently earned its first Michelin star, further affirming its culinary prowess.
Named the San Francisco Chronicle’s favorite new restaurant of 2024—so the acclaim goes beyond just the Times list. SFGATE
2. Verjus – San Francisco
A stylish wine bar revived by Michael and Lindsay Tusk, originally launched in 2019 and then closed during the pandemic.
Praised for its classic French bistro fare and a cosmopolitan, mature ambiance. SFGATE
These two venues stand out among the broader national mix of dining spots honored this year.
Context & Highlights from the Times List
The Times’ 2025 edition of “The Restaurant List” highlights top new dining destinations across the U.S.—and these Bay Area spots made the cut. SFGATE
Alongside Sun Moon Studio and Verjus, several Southern California restaurants (e.g., Baby Bistro, Mori Nozomi, RVR in L.A., and Lilo in Carlsbad) were also recognized. SFGATE
Why These Restaurants Were Notable Picks
Sun Moon Studio is noteworthy for its unexpected location (in West Oakland), a minimalist staff (just the two chefs/business partners), and a level of ambition and execution that resulted in a Michelin star and strong local acclaim.
Verjus, by contrast, brings refined elegance and a thoughtful return to the dining scene, melding heritage, modernity, and classic French influences in an intimate wine-bar setting.
In summary:
The New York Times' 2025 “Best Restaurants in America” list includes Sun Moon Studio and Verjus from the Bay Area—each offering distinct and top-tier culinary experiences that reflect innovation, ambiance, and high-quality experiences.
Here's the menus for the two restaurants spotlighted by The New York Times:
Sun Moon Studio (West Oakland)
Tasting Menu Overview
A multi-course tasting menu, priced at $180 per person (plus 20% service charge and taxes). Beverage pairings are available for $100. Sun Moon Studio+1
A full sample menu from August 29, 2025 includes dishes such as:
Santa Barbara uni, Hodo soy milk tofu, young ginger
San Francisco bay halibut, cucumber, succulents, melon, fermented pepper
Egg custard tart, bonito, salmon roe
Taiwanese sausage on steamed brioche
Squash blossom and spot prawn tempura
Smoked mussels, corn pasta, chrysanthemum
Mt. Lassen trout, eggplant, squash
Wolfe Ranch quail, cherry, black garlic, peppers
Dinner rolls
Den sake lees ice cream and figs
Raspberry cream puff
Cal red peaches Sun Moon Studio
Michelin description adds further detail: dishes like Dungeness crab with yuzu-kosho butter over silken tofu, savory egg tarts with salmon roe, and Taiwanese sausage in steamed brioche are highlighted. MICHELIN Guide
A June 2025 report notes the menu is currently an 11-course tasting, featuring selections like egg custard tart with bonito flakes and salmon roe, Stemple Creek short rib with alliums and apricot, and shiso ice cream with perilla and cocoa nibs. The price was formerly $150 per person, rising to $180 starting July 18. SFGATE
Summary
Expect an exquisitely curated tasting experience blending Californian, seasonal ingredients with Japanese and Chinese flavors. It typically runs around 11–14 courses and stretches over 2–2.5 hours. Let me know if you'd like help planning a reservation or managing dietary preferences.
Verjus (San Francisco – Jackson Square)
Sample Menu & Style
Verjus features a weekly-changing menu of French-inspired small plates, artisanal cheeses, housemade charcuterie, and bar snacks, all driven by seasonal, locally sourced produce. verjuscave.com+1
Highlights from reviews and Michelin descriptions include:
Omelette Boursin (silky and rich)
Charred sausage stuffed with manchego
Pâté en croûte (pâté wrapped in pastry)
Duck confit (paired with lentils)
Mussels escabeche
Soupe de poisson (creamy fish soup)
Saucisse Manchego – sausage with manchego
Pain Perdu (luxurious French toast with vanilla ice cream)—this iconic dessert alone sells around 40 portions nightly at about $15. The InfatuationMICHELIN GuideSan Francisco Chronicle
Michelin also calls out staples like duck-based pâté en croûte with pistachios, house-made sausages, and caramelized brioche pain perdu as reliable crowd-pleasers. MICHELIN Guide
⏳ Changing Nature
Keep in mind — Verjus’s offerings rotate weekly according to season and availability, so the menu is fluid. verjuscave.com+1
Summary
Think elevated French bistro vibes with rotating, seasonal bites—everything from classic omelettes and charcuterie to rich duck and iconic dessert.
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