Prospect is the first restaurant where Ravi Kapur bears the title of Executive Chef. Before opening Prospect last year--which is often dubbed the "little sister" restaurant to Boulevard -- Kapur worked as Chef de Cuisine at Boulevard. Eight years of cooking there gave Kapur "a kinship" with his mentors Nancy Oakes and Pam Mazzola. Prospect is a San Francisco Chronicle 2011 Top 100 Bay Area Restaurant, and critic Michael Bauer recently detailed the Prospect savory courses he enjoys: “black cod with mild red curry; shiso shrimp fritters with shiitake mushrooms and snap peas; and crisp-skinned duck with glazed turnips, pickled grapes, pistachios and a rum-raisin puree.”

Kapur is from Kailua, Oahu, in Hawaii, and graduated from the California Culinary Academy in 1999. He has worked at kitchens such as Redwood Park with George Morrone and Michael Mina, as well as at Coyote Café in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Extensive travels include “eating like a local” in South East Asia.

Kapur lives in the Mission with his wife, April Dawn Storm. She is taking a break from working in real estate as she waits to deliver their first child any day now. “We met 13 years ago on Chestnut Street. I was working at Peet’s coffee while in culinary school, and she was working at City Optix. We happened to both be smoking out in front of the shops when she stuck her tongue out at me and I ignored her. We’ve been in love ever since.” Kapur shared his list of favored San Francisco Bay Area eating and drinking spots.

Food Shopping Favorites
San Rafael farmers’ market on Sundays. I go to the Ferry Building every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, but San Rafael is different. A bit more relaxed (maybe because I’m not working) and I can really take time and talk to the farmers at a more civilized pace.

I’m obsessed with lop cheong right now. So, to get that fix I head to Mow Lee & Co. on Commercial Street in Chinatown. It’s been open for over 150 years, and the cured duck products are amazing and inspiring.

Spanish Table: there’s always something cool over there and it’s a good reason to get out of the city, even just to the East Bay.

Off-night Food and Drink Spots:
For drinks, I go to Beretta religiously every Saturday night. It’s literally a block from my house and it’s like my neighborhood bar.

Incanto: Chris is a great friend and his food is always interesting, not just shocking. His pasta and veg work is on par with his skill with offal. I’m obsessed with the spaghetti (house extruded) with tuna heart and egg yolk. [This writer dined on camera in 2009 with Kapur, Anthony Bourdain, Harold McGee, Oscar Villalon and Tatiana Graf for a San Francisco episode of No Reservations].

NOPA: I know they don’t need anymore love, but I can’t help it. If it’s for brunch or dinner, I’m there almost every week for one of those, sometimes both! Sometimes they have Prather Ranch New York on the menu … and if they do, you gotta get it.

Favorite local joints:
• Green Chile Kitchen for breakfast burrito
• Comstock Saloon for great cocktails and old school atmosphere
• flour + water for bone marrow pizza

Guiltiest food pleasure?
Häagen-Dazs chocolate peanut butter ice cream is up there. I could crush a whole pint.

Any news on projects we should know about?
At present trying to focus all my energy towards Prospect to ready for my soon to be born son.

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Prospect
Address: Map
300 Spear Street (at Folsom Street)
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 247-7770
Hours: Mon.-Thu 5:30pm-10pm; Fri. & Sat. 5:30pm-10:30pm; Sun. Brunch 11am-2:30pm, Dinner 5:30pm-9:30pm
Twitter: @ProspectSF

Related articles:
• Michael Bauer: Prospect's caramel corn good to the last pop (SFGate)
• Carolyn Alburger: Chef Ravi Kapur On Criticism, SF Eats and Opening Prospect (EaterSF)

When I was in college, my roommate introduced me to Kierkegaard's theory of the despair of infinitude. It was complicated in an existential sort of way, but over the years, I've adopted a variation on the term -- the despair of infinity -- to refer to the overwhelming sensation I feel when faced with too many choices. Trying to pickout an outfit for the first day of work after a big shopping spree? Despair of infinity. Time to whip up dinner and the fridge is full of food? Despair of infinity. Back from a year in Russia and sitting at a bar, perusing a beer list of 6 drafts and 20 bottles? Praise capitalism in all its glory -- but that's despair of infinity nonetheless.

The despair of infinity comes upon me almost anytime I have to decide where to take visitors to dinner. When I was new to San Francisco, it was easy. We simply went wherever I had not been and, especially if it was my folks, could not afford. Over the years, I've exhausted most of the San Francisco icons with repeat visitors, and moved on to personal neighborhood favorites.

Since Indian summer is the best time for visitors, I thought I'd share the places on my short list. Where do you like to take visiting family and friends out to eat?

The Icons

Zuni Cafe A perrenial favorite. Who doesn't love the copper bar, the Caesar salad, and the roast chicken? 1658 Market Street, (415) 552-2522.

Slanted Door Some people complain that it's gotten too big for its britches since moving into the Ferry Building, but the shaking beef still rocks, and the Bay views can't be beat. 1 Ferry Building #3 at the Embarcadero, (415) 861-8032.

Boulevard This feel-good brasserie sticks to seasonal California classics, and it has an old-world elegance that's irresistable. 1 Mission Street, (415) 543-6084.

The Regulars

Vivande This was a weekly stop when I lived in Pacific Heights. The pasta is handmade, the sausage comes from a 150-year-old family recipe, and the lemon tart is worth the visit alone. 2125 Fillmore Street, (415) 346-4430.

1550 Hyde The philosophy here is to cook with the Bay Area's best sustainably raised produce and meats, like cult favorite Hoffman Gamebirds' chickens. I've never had a meal that was anything short of extraordinary. 1550 Hyde Street, (415) 775-1550.

Antica Trattoria Though the atmosphere isn't as convivial as it is at Ristorante Milano, another favorite haunt, the food is more rustic and the servers remember their regulars. 2400 Polk Street, (415) 928-5797.

The Current Favorites

Nua This relatively new addition to North Beach is fast becoming a destination. I crave the roasted cauliflower with capers and pine nuts on a regular basis. 550 Green Street, (415) 433-4000.

Terzo If I lived in the Marina, I'd come here all the time for small plates like succulent, spicy chicken spiedini and the addictive crispy fried onion rings. As it is, I'm on a first name basis with the hostess. 3011 Steiner Street, (415) 441-3200.

Bourbon & Branch -- This modern speakeasy may not serve a single bite of food, but it is the coolest bar in town. Okay, so the secret password is a bit hokey, but once you're inside, inventive cocktails and the 1920's-inspired atmosphere cast their spell. Visit bourbonandbranch.com for reservations.