Easy Date Dinner Spots in Downtown Sf
We all know a Valentine Grinch or two — the folks who grumble about heart-shaped chocolate boxes and Hallmark holidays. "The sheer commercialism of it all!" they shout. "Who's being manipulated by a stationery-confectionary-floral cabal? Yoo hoo! You, that's who!"
Hey, we all could use a little extra affection these days. It's been a grim, grey last few weeks. Sparkling wine, fragrant flowers and a night on the town? Yes, please.
In fact, here are a dozen fabulous new restaurants — 12 long-stemmed, date-night beauties that opened in the last year and are guaranteed to sweep your sweetheart off his or her respective feet, not just in February but for months to come.
1. Leo's Oyster Bar, San Francisco
The vibe: Never mind that oysters are high on the list of supposed aphrodisiacs. This new oyster bar and seafood restaurant from the Big Night Group is so pretty, it will put you in the mood for fancy dresses, smart suits and lots of flirting. With close-knit tables, bustling energy and decor dripping with vintage glamour, you'll have plenty of eye and ear candy to fill those awkward breaks in conversation. Plus, the impressive Champagne program means your flute will be ever-filled with bubbles that pair perfectly with perky caviar bites ($15-$21), seafood toasts ($15-$20), crudos ($17-$18) and large plates ($21-$36).
The dish: Sharing is cute and caring, so go for a classic, like the mussels ($21), with andouille, Pilsner, ham hock jus, tomato and chiles, along with an order of the French fries ($7) with dynamite sauce. The bittersweet chocolate mousse ($5), laced with rum, espresso and dark chocolate, is so seductively delicious, you'll want your own. Plus, isn't dark chocolate an aphrodisiac, too?
The details: Open for lunch weekdays, dinner Monday-Saturday at 568 Sacramento St., San Francisco; www.leossf.com.
— Jessica Yadegaran, Staff
2. Adega, San Jose
The vibe: When this newcomer earned a Michelin star last fall, the first ever for a San Jose restaurant, some were shocked. But for those who've dined on chef David Costa's elevated interpretation of Portuguese cuisine, the star was no big surprise.
Situated in the heart of San Jose's Little Portugal, this space is light, airy and modern with Old-World accents, like a wall of blue and white Portuguese tiles and another filled with antique winemaking tools. Costa, along with his partner and pastry chef, Jessica Carreira, have created a menu that's universally excellent, from cozy dishes like salt cod and potato casserole ($27) to more esoteric choices such as the octopus salad ($12).
Wine lovers will especially enjoy exploring a long list made up exclusively of Portuguese drops, including a seductive selection of Ports to pair with a post-dinner cheese plate or one of Carreira's exquisite desserts.
The dish: Not sure where to start? Caldo verde ($10) is a classic Portuguese potato-based soup that's especially good here with bits of kale and a drizzle of chorizo oil. Ovo de ovos ($12) is a must-try if it's on the dessert menu; the delicate egg mousse in a 'nest' of dainty egg strings is a sweet stroke of genius. If it's not available, arroz doce Adega ($10) is a delicious and elegant take on rice pudding fritters.
The details: Open for dinner Wednesday-Sunday at 1629 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose; www.adegarest.com.
— Jennifer Graue, Correspondent
3. Pura Vida Cocina Latina & Sangria Bar, Livermore
The vibe: Spicy food and sangria flights add up to an ideal date night at Livermore's hot Latin-inspired eatery. Vibrant color splashes and a polished bar fill the cozy dining room, but the best seats in the house are on the bohemian back patio, where fire pit tables radiate heat and chilly nights give you an excuse to snuggle. Reggae tunes transport you to the tropics, as does the menu, inspired by chef and owner Gianni Schell's Colombian mother.
The dish: Start with a three-sangria flight ($15, or $10 during happy hour), choosing from options that may include pineapple basil or Pura Vida Royale. Schell's shrimp and chorizo-studded Colombian Paella ($16.95 full order, $10.95 half order) is a great dish to share. Finish on a sweet note with creamy Suspiro Limeno ($5.95), a puddinglike dulce de leche with cinnamon-dusted whipped cream. Pura vida indeed.
Details: Open for lunch Thursday-Sunday, dinner Wednesday-Sunday at 2241 First St., Livermore, www.puravidalivermore.com.
— Mary Orlin, Staff
4. Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen, Pleasanton
The vibe: If the one you're wooing loves whiskey or craft brews, this speakeasy-meets-gourmet bistro is sure to spark romance. The copper-topped bar is lined with two dozen shiny silver taps. Wine-barrel staves cover the ceiling, and barrel rings adorn the light fixtures. And when you spot the thick Whiskey Bible, you know: Despite the restaurant's beer-centric name, this is the church of barrel-aged whiskey. Be sure to check out the barrel-aged cocktail special.
The dish: The menu may look like your typical wings-fries-burgers brewpub at first glance. But crispy, tender Green Curry Chicken Wings ($10) are coated in a mild, silky curry sauce. Buttery seared salmon ($18) is beautifully plated, with watermelon radishes and glistening cipollini onions. Order the Baron Burger ($16) just for the crunchy, creamy duck fries (also available solo as a bar snack for $7).
The details: Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday at 336 St. Mary St., Pleasanton; www.beerbaronbar.com.
— Mary Orlin, Staff
5. 'aina, San Francisco
The vibe: Jordan Keao's modern Hawaiian eatery is all about spreading that loving aloha spirit, from the warm service and island-inspired craft cocktails to the sensational cuisine. Go for a morning stroll in the Dogpatch neighborhood so you're there to score coveted, walk-in only brunch seats, or make a reservation (weeks in advance via Resy) for dinner, when Keao and his crew get crazy-refined with their treatment of pork (including housemade spam bao and Portuguese sausage, both using Stone Valley Farms). Ask for the intimate window table with the stools for some aloha nui loa: very much love.
The dish: For brunch, you'll want the malasadas ($8), served warm, dusted with coconut sugar and filled with tart, creamy guava custard. Nibble on those while sipping on a low-proof Punch Bowl ($22) meant for four. Dinner lovebirds can't deny the seductive textures and flavors of Keao's of lomi lomi arctic char ($14): kiawe smoked paprika cured arctic char with green soubise, rouille and fried sunchokes.
The details: Open for brunch Wednesday-Sunday and dinner Tuesday-Saturday 900 22nd St., San Francisco; www.ainasf.com.
— Jessica Yadegaran, Staff
6. Belotti Ristorante e Bottega, Oakland
The vibe: If you're celebrating Valentine's Day with your loved one, a labor of love between chef Michele Belotti and his life partner, Joyce, fits the theme perfectly. A short stroll from the Rockridge BART station will allow you to cozy up to your special somebody in the intimate dining room and enjoy Belotti's fantastic fare — traditional Italian recipes elevated with the training he received in Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy and later when he came to San Francisco. A lineup of fresh, house-made pasta is elegant but accessible, and hearty but not heavy — and most importantly, sure to feed your soul. Finish your evening off with a delectable dessert, and you'll be in the mood for love.
The dish:Tortino ($15.50) is so compelling, it might even take your attention away from your date, at least momentarily. A creamy spinach flan hides within itself a gooey egg yolk that, when cut, slowly spreads across the plate, mingling with the flavors of spinach, Grana Padano sauce and shaved black truffle. It's a symphony of sensuality in edible form. The Casoncelli ($15.75), taken from Michele's mother's own recipe, combines tender beef and pork shoulder, prosciutto and pancetta in a brown butter sage sauce, yielding rich tastes in a surprisingly light dish.
The details: Open for lunch and dinner daily, except Tuesdays, at 5403 College Ave., Oakland; http://belottirb.com.
— Daniel Jimenez, Staff
7. Bird Dog, Palo Alto
The vibe: Chef Robbie Wilson brings a fashionable and funky vibe — and keen attention to detail — to this downtown restaurant. Black stainless silverware, a flock of papier-mache birds hanging from the ceiling, and even the must-see bathroom, with its surprising soundtrack, will give diners plenty to talk about —even on the most awkward of first dates. There's also plenty to say about Wilson's creative menu composed of an unlikely combination of global ingredients brought together in delicious and unexpected ways, like the popular fried chicken thigh ($23) with green curry and uni.
It's best to make reservations, but spur-of-the-moment types can happily pass time in the bar and lounge area, sipping some of the craftiest cocktails around.
The dish: You'll never look at an avocado the same way again after trying Bird Dog's simple but splendid grilled avocado ($14), each half filled with a tangy house-made ponzu. A starter of tai snapper ($18) is almost too beautiful to eat, but the inspired combination of flavors and textures – lime, pecan, and chiles— ensures that dismantling it will lead to pure bliss.
The details: Open daily for dinner at 420 Ramona St., Palo Alto; www.birddogpa.com.
— Jennifer Graue, Correspondent
8. August 1 Five, San Francisco
The vibe: Ex-Googler Hetal Shah's modern Indian restaurant has an undeniable sexiness, from the shimmery teal velvet booths to the bedroom eyes of the giant Maharaja on the wall. Since opening in November, August 1 Five has given Civic Center what it desperately needed: a date-night worthy restaurant for post- or preshow dining. Slide into one of those sleek booths for an appetizer from the small bites menu ($8-$15), like crunchy palak chaat ($10) with a turmeric lassi (dark rum, passion fruit, kefir, $12), or stay for a spicy, romantic dinner under the dim lights.
The dish: Cuisine here is bold and refined. Even fiery pepper chicken ($15) is served atop the most precious rice and lentil crepes. You'll want an order of the chicken, as well as the imaginative gol guppa flight ($8), flavored waters served with crispy wheat shells stuffed with chaat masala and potato. Pour. Crunch. Burst.
The details: Open for lunch and dinner daily, except Sunday at 524 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco; www.august1five.com.
— Jessica Yadegaran, Staff
9. Farmer's Almanac, Danville
The vibe: It's all about farm-fresh fare at the charming Almanac, where chef Tim Humphrey delivers on nearly every front. The restaurant boasts all the accouterments of a modern bistro, from the distressed wood, dishtowel napkins and industrial chairs to the crushed rock patio out front, which draws happy cafe crowds in warm weather. The dining room is dark and moody, with plush banquettes, stylish drapes and a glamorous chandelier in the foyer that whispers romance.
The dish: The menu changes with the seasons, so the Burrata Toast ($12) that you absolutely must order— toasted brioche with creamy Di Stefano burrata — may be topped with an English pea salad and paper-thin country ham, or arugula, figs and fresh herbs. Don't miss the scallion hush puppies ($8), either. And who better than a Florida chef to do gulf shrimp with pappardelle ($22)?
The details: Open for lunch and dinner daily at 500 Hartz Ave., Danville; www.almanacdanville.com.
— Jackie Burrell, Staff
10. Din Tai Fung, Santa Clara
The vibe: The South Bay's hottest dumpling house makes an ideal first-date destination — more chic than cozy-romantic. Don't let the shopping mall location deter you. There's a show while you wait, watching the dumpling masters fill thin wrappers with pork and pleat each xiao long bao (XLB) dumpling 18 times. This contemporary eatery is sleek and sexy, with gray slate tile, wood accents and a large bar under a cherry blossom-embellished lantern. Those bar seats are up for grabs without reservations, although you'll likely have to wait a bit for a perch.
The dish: Six plump, piping hot Pork XLB dumplings ($8) fill each steamer basket, perfect for sharing. The thin skin is transparent and al dente; the juicy pork is divine. Spice things up with shrimp and pork wontons with spicy sauce ($10.50). Resembling fat tortellini, these slippery wontons are coated in a sweet and fiery pepper sauce.
The details: Open for lunch and dinner daily at 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Westfield Valley Fair, Santa Clara; www.dintaifungusa.com.
— Mary Orlin, Staff
11. Waxman's Restaurant & Cafe, San Francisco
The vibe: Consider Oakland native Jonathan Waxman's eponymous restaurant an ode to comfort food — and to tourist fave Ghirardelli Square. The James Beard award-winning chef and "Top Chef Masters" alum opened Waxman's last year and adorned it with an enormous, polished cross-section of a century-old walnut tree root from Contra Costa County. It makes a fine focal point for this 1890 building. If it's not too chilly, plan on dining on the front patio, under the party lights and overlooking Ghirardelli's famous courtyard.
The dish: Don't miss the smooth and appropriately bitter JW Negroni ($12), made with local No. 209 gin. Simplicity is Waxman's mantra — and he's known for his tender JW Chicken ($26). Crispy golden skin gives way to plump, moist meat, napped in a lovely salsa verde. Sublime gnocchi ($19) are pillowy morsels, tossed with butternut squash, dandelion greens and hazelnuts.
The details: Open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday at 920 North Point St., San Francisco; www.waxmanssfo.com.
— Mary Orlin, Staff
12. Black Sheep Brasserie, San Jose
The vibe: This Willow Glen hot spot is a modern take on a French brasserie. The black and grey decor with splashes of red, shimmering chandeliers and antiqued mirrors give it a lively, yet subtly sexy savoir faire, making it an ideal place for either a romantic tête-à-tête or a just a special night out with good friends.
Started by a team of Silicon Valley restaurateurs with decades of experience among them, this brasserie offers a California take on French fare, courtesy of executive chef Jeff Fitzgerald. Classics like French onion soup and bouillabaisse share the menu with the oh-so-American burger — served on brioche, of course. In addition to wine, you'll find some great cocktails from bar wizards Stephen Shelton and Jimmy Marino, who offer classics, like the French 75 ($11), as well as original creations.
The dish: Go full-blown Francophile and order the mussels and frites ($16). It's served in a saffron cream broth so delectable, you'll need a Manresa baguette ($4) to sop it up. Say "oui" to the side dish of Brussels sprouts ($8) with sweet and sour shallots—you'll be glad you did.
The details: Open for dinner Tuesday-Sunday and Sunday brunch at 1202 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; www.bsbwillowglen.com.
— Jennifer Graue, Correspondent
Source: https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/01/31/12-best-new-restaurants-for-date-night/
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