Meet For A Drink Restaurants

A Cote restaurant is symbolic of Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood--cozy, friendly, and inviting. Jack and Daphne Knowles planned it that way, and their careful choices are reflected not only in the decor, but in the food and atmosphere. Everything in this restaurant reinforces the idea of intimacy, from the family style dishes to the wood fired oven in the open kitchen. Their Mediterranean cuisine is perfect for an intimate dinner for two, or for an after work bite with coworkers after a hard day. This is definitely a place to fill your belly and ease your mind.

Set in an old transformed warehouse in SoMa, just a mere block from the Moscone Convention Center, Restaurant Lulu evokes the feeling of being in Provence while still staying true to its urban cityscape. Most notably recognized for its wine selection, this French eatery boasts a selection of 500 bottles and over 70 wines by the glass from all around the world, and a slew of awards from Wine Spectator. The seasonal Provençal menu is served family-style on rustic blond wood tables, the bold flavors of the food the ideal complement to the colorful and contemporary space it occupies.

If you’re searching for contemporary American fare, look no further than the Salt House. This tavern is housed in an old printing press warehouse from the 1930’s and is equal parts new and old, merging the best of both. The building stays true to its historic charm with original hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, tall ceilings with massive metal support beams, and 12 foot windows—all the better to look in or out of. Salt House is more than just an impressive space though, and true to its “gastropub” label, serves up hearty yet refined ingredient-driven cuisine in a tavern-like atmosphere.

Chef Dane Boryta of Sens Restaurant, combines traditional Mediterranean techniques, such as flatbread cooked in the restaurants wood-burning oven, with modern sensibilities, for instance Sens’ use of local, sustainably grown produce. Sens restaurant proudly features a Farmer's Market driven menu along with seasonally motivated, fruit inspired desserts from Pastry Chef Rebecca Morris. Sens’ décor effortlessly encourages a cozy and intimate dining experience. Large windows, stone and brick walls, rustic wood, earthenware plates and over-sized leather chairs recreate a classic Mediterranean experience that is further perpetuated by the restaurants excellently prepared cuisine.

Sozai Restaurant and Sake Lounge is an authentic Japanese Izakaya, or alehouse. Opened in 2007, Sozai is a unique place to enjoy drinks while sharing traditional Japanese tapas with friends. Diners share small yet deliciously prepared dishes while sipping handcrafted sake. Partners Gil Payne and Mira Takahashi, have achieved a chic, modern lounge atmosphere while remaining true to traditional Japanese minimalism. The open kitchen and friendly service create a warm and inviting dining experience without sacrificing style. With the assistance of Master Sake Sommelier Beau Timken, Sozai boasts an extensive sake menu that has been carefully selected and attentively paired …

Located in a building that will transport you to a quaint Parisian street corner, Garcon hosts a wide selection of classic French fare. This unpretentious neighborhood gem is recognized for its friendly and attentive service and intimate ambience. Once you enter, you will be greeted by a sleek nautical color scheme of navy blue accented by a rustic wood floor and chairs. The menu is sure to please the palate with favorites such as French Onion Soup, Steamed Mussels Mariniere, and Duck Confit. Also, be sure not to miss out on their full bar and extensive wine list.

Located in San Francisco's Hotel Vitale, Americano's menu is deeply rooted in Italian tradition. Using only market fresh ingredients, Chef Paul Arenstam entices diners with handmade pasta and bakers pies, while still showcasing locally grown, seasonal products. Americano is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner while also providing a trendy spot for an after work drink. The cocktail lounge's unique circular design coupled with the dynamic panoramic bay view creates a strikingly modern atmosphere. In contrast, the dining room's natural wood and dramatic arches create a comfortable and alluring dining atmosphere. Americano also provides an outdoor patio with a …

Sleek and sultry Straits restaurant and lounge gives the weary shopper a sexy little break from the hustle and bustle of the San Francisco shopping scene. East and West intertwine in Chef/Owner Chris Yeo's Singaporean fusion cuisine, inspired by Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, and Indonesian flavors, and featuring traditional fare such as Singapore Satay Sticks and savory spiced Roti Prata. For another flavorful option, mint and fragrant saffron cultivate a zesty Rack of Lamb that slides right off the bone, rolling onto the tongue in a culmination of satisfaction. Slow things down with a ginger-infused cocktail to finish the courses off.

If you’re looking for new age American style cuisine with a comfortable neighborhood vibe that will transport you to various cities around the world, search no further than San Francisco’s Street. The restaurant takes each diner on a world tour or keeps them in their native town with classic American fare and new daily changing desserts. Street is known for their local fan base and for using ingredients from nearby farmers’ markets. Street offers everything from soup, salad, and pate to seafood, sirloin, and panna cotta. They also have a nightly cocktail hour full of savory and sweet wines and …

Insalata is a gracious, comfortable restaurant that specializes in the genuine flavors and spices of the Mediterranean region. The complex Mediterranean food of Insalata has been made from locally sourced produce, meat, and poultry long before “locally sourced” was a standard of excellence in the restaurant industry. Owner Heidi Insalata Krahling became interested in food as a child in a food-intensive Italian family. She has expanded her Italian cooking heritage to include the cuisines of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures, and it is a wonderful adventure to dine at Insalata.

Everything about Horizon Restaurant & Lounge in North Beach goes straight to the point. Not to say they are a restaurant without frills, because the comfort level, service, and ambience at Horizon are great. What I mean by that is they like to stay out of your way. Distractions are kept to a minimum. They make sure that the object of desire, their food, is your main focus at all times. Executive Chef Christopher Lee’s menu of fresh California cuisine is irresistible; and because of this and a lot of other reasons, an evening at Horizon will surely be a …

If you’re interested in dining downtown while still escaping that engulfing city ambiance, look no further than Le Colonial. Serving up elegant French-Vietnamese cuisine made from the highest quality local farm-fresh ingredients, Chef Villanueva truly seems to have outdone himself in this latest undertaking. The décor— complete with exotic flora, a glass canopied walkway, and rattan chairs— is redolent of a 1920’s Asian colonial plantation. The food is no less striking and offers a wide variety of Vietnamese specialties that are sure to make your taste buds dance.

For a truly unique San Francisco experience, there are few options that offer a better example of California's cutting edge design and cuisine than at the Moss Room at the Academy of Science, in Golden Gate Park. Hidden below the museum like a rare gem is a restaurant dedicated to producing extraordinary cuisine with ingredients from local sources and a nod to classic French preparation. The dramatic dining room with its namesake living wall of moss and fern is an ideal choice for a dining destination unlike any other in the Bay Area.

Just south of San Francisco on the Pacific Ocean lies the city of Half Moon bay where agriculture and big wave surfing are the popular attractions in town. When it comes to food, Cetrella is the areas destination point. With French and Mediterranean undertones, Cetrella draws from local growers and purveyors to seasonally create dishes from land and sea. Freshly harvested Oysters on the Half Shell, Mussels, Grilled Octopus and the Beet Salad are light items that represent its closeness to the ocean and plentiful fields. Entrees like the Lamb Shank, Pork Chop, Duck Confit and Gnocchi Parisienne also allow …

Gitane is located on quiet Claude Lane between the Financial District and Union Square. Gitane has eclectic yet comfortable furnishings that create a romantic dining experience. The menu focuses on the range of cuisines from the Iberian Peninsula, which stretches from southern France through Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. In addition to the foods of Iberia, the bar at Gitane has made a specialty of the Sherries of Spain and Portugal. The staff is well-versed in both the food and spirits of the region and Gitane is a relaxing choice for a taste of Iberia in an eclectic and festive space.

This sophisticated American bistro specializes in California comfort food with a French flair. Chef Ola Fendert uses classic cooking techniques to prepare dishes like All Natural Baby Back Ribs and Lamb Daube. Oola Restaurant and Bar features these hearty bistro favorites while using organic meats and produce, as well as artisan cheeses and wines. Picked by Bon Appetit Magazine as one of the “Top 50 Hot Spots” around the country, this split level space is sleek and mature. Recycled wood, exposed stone, rust-toned light fixtures and plenty of candlelight produce an alluring and sexy atmosphere.

With a breathtaking view, floor-to-ceiling circular aquariums featuring an impressive array of marine life from the Pacific Ocean, an extravagant cascading raw bar, a hand-blown glass “caviar” chandelier, and a lively open kitchen, Waterbar is not merely a restaurant, it is an experience. Located on San Francisco’s scenic Embarcadero, Waterbar offers fresh, seasonal and sustainable whole fish and crustaceans served roasted, grilled, boiled or chilled. Owner and Executive Chef Mark Franz and restaurateur Pat Kuleto, both well-known for their highly successful restaurant Farallon, have created another masterpiece in design while remaining true to the natural essence of the sea.

Renowned Chef Michael Mina’s RN74, is a restaurant where wine plays the starring role. Named for the highway that passes through Burgundy, RN74 boasts a 69 page, 2,000 plus wine list expertly paired with clean and elegant food. The restaurant team and Wine Director Rajat Parr work in conjunction to design a truly intelligent and sophisticated dining experience. The restaurant’s 75-seat dining room, 38-seat lounge and 16-seat hydraulic communal table have been meticulously designed using an old European train station as the inspiration. This more casual Michael Mina restaurant seeks to highlight a simple approach to French cuisine by coupling …

The Hotel Shattuck, in downtown Berkeley, is home to a sophisticated restaurant that incorporates all of the senses into the dining experience. Five is an elegantly spacious modern American bistro and bar defined by massive columns that rise up to support the intricately recessed ceiling, grandly lit chandeliers, and beaming floor-to-ceiling windows that cast everything in the glow of luxury. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are similarly well-designed with refined dishes that are both sophisticated and welcoming. Executive Chef Howard Scott melds opulence with familiarity in dishes like the Deviled Surf and Turf Eggs and the Short Rib Pot …

The savory pork, fish, and vegetable dishes of Catalonian cuisine often aren't very well represented in the United States, which is unfortunate. However, San Francisco is lucky enough to host restaurants like B44 that not only present authentic dishes from Catalonia, but in true gourmet fashion. Located in Belden Place, B44 offers this unique style of food that has garnered acclaim from critics all over the world. At this authentic Catalonian eatery, guests will find flavorful seafood dishes like Cazuela, award-winning Arros Negre, and a wide selection of popular, creamy Catalonian desserts. Diners can enjoy fine dishes like these in …