You may have heard of Berkeley’s famous “gourmet ghetto” around Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse, and you’ve surely heard the term applied to SF Mission’s 18th Street strip since the opening of Tartine Bakery, Delfina, Pizzeria Delfina and Bi-Rite Creamery.  But have you heard of the gourmet ghetto on Fillmore?

With TacoBar finally opening up for dinner in Pacific Heights last night and Citizen Cake reopening in its new location in the heart of Fillmore Street this month, what exactly is the deal with the latest dubbed “Gourmet Ghetto? “  According to Parties That Cook’s founder, Bibby Gignilliat, who also lives in the neighborhood, the Gourmet Ghetto designation comes from the real estate world alluding to the fact that hot restaurateurs and chefs have recently moved or opened satellite locations in the Upper Fillmore section of Pacific Heights. While this section of Pacific Heights was unaffordable to those same chefs and restaurateurs when they first started on the scene, now that they have become more established they have flocked to the area to create an incredible new foodie haven.

Shelly Lindgren, of A16, opened SPQR with Italian inspired cuisine and wine on Fillmore in 2007.  Pizzeria Delfina finally got into their space on California Street in 2008, after getting beat out for it by Zao Noodle Bar when they first looked at the space several years ago. Charles Phan, of The Slanted Door, opened Out the Door, combining Vietnamese cooking technique with local ingredients, late last year on Bush Street.  Dosa, an urban Indian dining experience showcasing regional Southern Indian specialties, recently opened up a second outpost at Fillmore and Post.  Other notable mentions in the area include Woodhouse Fish Company, Fresca for Peruvian cuisine, Florio for French fare, and La Boulange Café & Bakery (part of the Bay Bread Group).

With a plethora of cuisines from around the world, whether it be Mexican, Peruvian, Indian, Italian, French, Vietnamese or simply pizza or fresh bread, how can you resist paying a visit to this Gourmet Ghetto?  Familiar with any of these restaurants?  Leave a comment and let us know what you think!