NOB HILL. Entering this Euro-Asian restaurant atop the Plaza building, you'll feel as if you've just stepped into an exciting, undersea world. The house specialty, crab prepared three ways, is incredible, and roast crab is a delicious signature dish too. Also famed are garlic noodles, whose recipe is so well-guarded that they must be prepared in a separate kitchen! Well-trained staff.

UNION SQUARE. This hotel restaurant specializes in European-Asian fusion cuisine. During the week, a wonderful breakfast menu takes care of travelers and business folks, and on holidays, the brunch menu ably pleases with dishes like crab Benedict, waffles, and omelets. Service is professional, and the hotel offers free valet service (up to four hours) for diners.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT. Chef Dante Boccuzzi imbues every dish he creates with practiced culinary expertise. Among the options are crab ravioli, steak-cut ahi with tobiko caviar, and Charlie's sea scallop sandwich, a Silks' signature. If you can't decide on an individual dish, order the six-course sampler, and revel in the variety. Cap everything with lemon tiramisu or tangerine crème brûlée. The extensive wine list can be expensive.