Wayfare Tavern Awards

Wayfare Tavern Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: Food Network personality, local celeb chef and restaurateur Tyler Florence is behind Wayfare Tavern, located in the former Rubicon space in the Financial District. The multi-level restaurant features rich, old-fashioned accents reminiscent of Victorian-era San Francisco, melded with modern design elements such as an open kitchen and chef's counter. Private parties can reserve the second-floor billiards lounge or the larger, top-level room with a glass-enclosed wine cellar.

Food & Drinks: Hot popovers are brought to the table while diners browse the bistro-style menu of American cuisine. Start with sea urchin from the raw bar or crispy veal sweetbreads. The signature organic fried chicken is first brined and then cooked sous-vide so it stays tender and juicy. Other main course options include petrale sole, Sonoma duck and braised mustard greens agnolotti. Carrot cake with parsnip ice cream and chocolate cream pie are among the desserts. Imbibers can select from a varied wine list that mixes local bottles with choices from around the world, as well as local beers and handcrafted cocktails such as the bourbon-based Darkness at Noon.