Let's be real: Hot restaurant openings are a dime a dozen in San Francisco, and it can be tough to sort through the hype and determine which new spot is worth your precious time and money. No worries here: Barcino is one of the best restaurants we've tried so far in 2017.

Brought to us by the Absinthe Group (most recently, the makers of the also-wonderful Bellota), Barcino dishes a taste of Barcelona in the form of elevated, memorable tapas. The various small plates deliver both elegance and comfort; the service is friendly; and the space is warm and simple with floor-to-ceiling windows and cascading plants.

Walk-ins are welcome, but the current wait for dinner is upwards of an hour. So make a reservation—Barcino is hot. // 399 Grove St. (Hayes Valley,)barcinosf.com

  

Nobody says no to carbs. Start with Barcino's version of pan con tomate—pieces of toasted Catalan bread with a side of savory tomato spread and sea salt. If you're looking to do one better, pair it with the Jamon Iberico de Bellota, perfect salty slices of Cinco Jotas ham from a very small, select group of pure-bred Iberian pigs that deliver an unrivaled flavor.