Zazie is my perfect local French bistro whether I am up at 8 am, peckish at lunch or in the mood for the greatest pork chop San Francisco has to offer. In the interest of truth in advertising, Zazie is more of a French-inspired San Francisco dining experience. Starting at the coffee end of the day, Zazie offers a series of diverse and delightful Eggs Benedicts – and the best coffee cake I have ever tasted. Lunch offers a perfect burger with brie or a Croque Madam, but dinner is the star; honestly, if you eat meat, just order the pork chop and stare in wonder at the seasonal preparation. They have a well-chosen and well-priced wine list and a reasonable corkage fee.

But the one thing that shines through is the attitude – in a very good way. Zazie is an employee-owned restaurant with a no-tipping policy – seriously, they don’t take tips. The price is the price. The other impact of employee ownership is a very professional, very supportive staff. This makes the experience shine at any time of day.