Amidst the trendy shops of the Marina's Chestnut Street stands E'Angelo's, decked out with paintings done by co-owner Claudio Marchesan (who spends almost every night in … the kitchen making the food). The restaurant is reminiscent of a place that Tony Soprano might dine. Everything on the menu is authentic Italian and delicious -- the prices are affordable, the wines are as fine as any you've tasted, and the waiters are predominantly Italian and majorly hilarious. [link]

Got a craving for blintzes? How about borscht? How about a mix of Russian folk songs and pop hits played with an accordion? Then take a trip to Katia's, a Russian joint … that's so authentic its cooks are old Russian women, and the owner -- Katia herself -- is not only one of the waiters (and cooks), she'll also be your best friend immediately upon entry. A lot of the food is shipped from the former Soviet Union, and everything is prepared in very traditional Russian style. Be wary though; to be full after Russian food, you need the whole three-course meal. And to get the whole three-course meal, you need to part with at least half of your bank account. Still, it's well worth it and more Russian than most of Russia. [link]

Between the LCD screens playing psychedelic Japanese music videos to the clean, robotic stylings of the dining room and the clear glass cage where the cooks work, Genki … Ramen screams Japanese so loud you'll feel the need to put on a miniskirt, giggle, and throw up the peace sign every time you eat there. Ramen is the restaurant's specialty, and they serve up some killer noodles -- between the chicken karaage ramen and the shrimp tempura ramen, you'll find yourself truly noodled. The staff is outrageously nice, the price is outrageously cheap, and the food is outrageously good. [link]

We've all eaten spam and/or freshly-skewered pig, but usually it's in Hawaii and usually while being sunburned. Hukilau, a local Hawaiian place hidden right off of … Masonic (and just a block or two away from the Assab restaurant) assures you not only an authentic Hawaiian experience -- it also requires no sun block. With beautiful, usually very Hawaiian-looking waitresses and food so heavy it would kill lesser men, Hukilau gives you the whole Hawaiian experience minus the gorgeous beaches and hang-loose attitude. Still, it's cheap, it's different, it's tasty, and you can say things like "kuipo" without getting mocked. [link]

Describing themselves as a mix of California-influenced Mediterranean and Moroccan food, Aziza goes to extravagant lengths to create an appropriately exotic environment. … From the food to the belly dancers that wiggle their way through the aisles, there are very few places in the city quite like Aziza. Yes, the prices are slightly steep, but usually well worth it. Just make reservations and suppress the urge to dance with the gyrating women. [link]

It's the most regular building you'll ever see -- on the outside. But inside, you've just entered a completely different country. The lavishly dressed Thai host will ask … you to leave your shoes at the door and will lead you into a beautiful, well decorated restaurant with a garden in the back and trenches where the tables stand. The food is fairly standard Thai fare, and we mean that in the best way possible. Affordable, delicious, and exotic as all hell, it's the closest you can get to Thailand without leaving the city. [link]

Visiting Mas Sake is like walking into the trendiest restaurant in Los Angeles -- it's overcrowded, loud, slick, and it's got the most gorgeous people San Francisco can conjure up. If it wasn't for the fact that our local celebrities are crazed loners (we're looking at you, Sean Penn and Robin Williams), you'd expect them to be lounging … here, flirting with customers and eating the deliciously exotic sushi that happens to cost roughly as much as your mortgage. You won't get in here without a reservation, but once you do, it's worth the trip and (usually) the cost. [link]

As unassuming as a restaurant can ever be, Assab is hidden behind an ill-placed bus stop. One of two Eritrean restaurants in the city (the owners of both are related), … Assab serves up exotic, healthy, and delicious food that's cooked with all the love of anything your grandmother ever made, especially if your grandmother was from Africa. The food is a mix of veggies and meat -- usually spicy -- and served atop spongy injera bread. Leave your handy fork at home as you'll be eating like the locals, with your deliciously flavored hands. [link]