San Francisco is famously an engine of culinary innovation. Superb locally sourced and seasonal ingredients are a constant source of inspiration for the gastronomically adventurous chefs that call the city home.

The Progress

With a nondescript, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it entrance, The Progress is an innovative contemporary restaurant set in a former theater dating from 1911. (It is also adjacent to its more relaxed one-star sibling, State Bird Provisions). The minimalist dining room has a soaring arched ceiling and an exposed lath wall accent and features handcrafted earthenware and custom-designed chairs and tables. The “create your own adventure” prix fixe menu comprises five one-bite amuse bouches followed by the diners’ choice of four entrée-size family-style courses from a list of about 13 options. Highlights of our small plates included a fava bean arancini with a light pesto drizzle, and a flaky buttermilk biscuit accompanied by apple-bourbon black butter. Out of the enticing array of dishes, the spicy wood-fired Spanish octopus on a bed of shaved fennel, shell bean hummus and toasted black rice was exceptional.

The Progress
1525 Fillmore Street. Tel. (415) 673-1294