MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

There are no yachts to be found on the urban Tenderloin/Nob Hill border, but hordes of enthusiasts remain quite eager to book passage on Liholiho's love boat. Fusing Californian technique with the flavors of Chef/owner Ravi Kapur’s native Hawaii, this sleek and sunny Instagrammer’s paradise is known for strong cocktails, shareable plates and near-impossible reservations. Two bars are available for walk-ins, but those tend to fill up quickly. Watched over by a big 70s-era snapshot of Kapur's mom, the dining room hums with groups savoring beef tongue bao, luscious coconut-clam curry and nori crackers heaped with tuna poke. If you turn your nose up at Spam, a Hawaiian staple, try the house-made (and off-menu) version. It just might convert you.