Where Chef Corey Lee Eats in San Francisco

The duo Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski need no introduction in the San Francisco food scene. Of all their restaurants, Lee favors the casual, vibrant Anchovy Bar, where small bites and interesting wines make for an ideal night out. The reason is simple: “I like anchovies,” he says.

The French-Japanese bistro by chef and natural wine expert Kosuke Tada opened in 2022, proof that a restaurant does not need decades of history to earn a place on Lee’s classics list. Mijoté, he says, is special because it offers “serious cooking in a completely casual and comfortable environment.”

Lee loves the risk-taking, opulent Embarcadero restaurant from the Saison Hospitality group. “There are quality products and execution available in an a la carte format,” he explains, “in an otherwise tasting menu-dominated town.” Equally suited for a celebratory dinner or a power lunch, Angler is a reliable choice for out-of-town guests.

Nestled among olive trees in the Financial District, the Italian institution is a regular stop for Lee. Cotogna, he says, “effortlessly balances traditional Italian preparations with Californian seasonality and sensibilities.”

The storied Market Street restaurant, beloved by roast chicken devotees and everyone from Nigella Lawson to Gwyneth Paltrow, also appears on Lee’s list, thanks to the “timelessness of the menu and space.”