"Chef Akira Back has restaurants located around the world, but ABsteak is his first in San Francisco, and it’s a fun one. Think of it as an upscale Korean barbecue spot, taking over what was once a nightclub located below street level in the Union Square area. The smokeless Japanese binchotan charcoal is a marvel, and diners should at the very least try Back’s marinated galbi on the grill to see it in action. From there, go with your budget, as cuts do tend to get pricy (although all are excellent), but tack on an order of the chadol dwen jang jjigae soup with Australian wagyu brisket and one of the many excellent cocktails if you’re looking for some options." - Dianne de Guzman, Paolo Bicchieri