Renowned chef Hubert Keller has been in the culinary business for over 30 years and is famous for his restaurants Fleur de Lys, Fleur by Hubert Keller and Burger Bar. With four locations around the country, Burger Bar has been one of the most successful. Located on the 6th floor of Macy's in Union Square, the San Francisco location has a panoramic view with floor to ceiling windows, dim lighting and modern decor. The menu features an array of burger choices from kobe beef, salmon steak, to buffalo, with a gourmet variety of topping options, from truffle sauce to pickled green tomatoes.
You have not seen the city until you have seen its glittering lights from Top of the Mark, where you can bask in one of the best 360-degree views of San Francisco and the Bay Area. Sip a drink or nibble on a gourmet delicacy in this posh and classic spot while enjoying nightly entertainment that ranges from salsa to swing. The elevated mahogany dance floor is surrounded by conversational seating areas featuring comfortable modern sofas, classic settees, club chairs, and wood frame bistro chairs.
Eating seafood comes naturally when you see Waterbar's beautiful view of the bay and the Bay Bridge. Tanks display the fish available for eating and there is a large raw bar in the dining room. The seafood is sustainable for clear conscience eating. Try pressed lobster or whole oven-roasted petit local halibut. There is a full bar to complement your meal, and valet parking is also available.
Located in the Ferry Building Marketplace, a visit to Hog Island Oyster Bar is a great way to start off a San Francisco adventure. The restaurant is owned by the Hog Island Oyster Farm, who farms oysters in Tomales Bay. Established in 1983, today the company raises over three million oysters per year. The casual surroundings of the restaurant, located opposite a retail fish store, provide a gorgeous view of the Bay Bridge. Stop in and grab a glass of wine and down as many oysters as you can. The menu also offers clams and salad, but the main attraction here is the oyster stew, the chowder and the grilled cheese sandwich! Check for the daily specials before ordering. The restaurant also offers a small quantity of live, unshucked oysters to take away, but will have to be ordered three days prior.
Fisherman Wharf's oldest restaurant began as a crab stand in 1920, serving seafood cocktails out of a paper cup. Today, Alioto's is a successful, fine seafood restaurant specializing in traditional Sicilian recipes. Sitting right on the water, it offers one of the best views of the bay. The upstairs dining room offers an old-world charm and an award-winning wine list. The downstairs serves favorites that include the homemade seafood sausage, an exclusive crab cioppino and a rich seafood risotto. The service is attentive and helpful.
The Cliff House, where San Francisco begins (or ends), has always been a quaint and utterly charming stop for San Francisco visitors. Even with a renovation, the Cliff House maintains its original charm, but is now 21st-century spectacular. Gone are the old fashioned 1900s mahogany, tar and spar-like decor and fittings. They have been replaced by brilliant vistas visible through the ceiling-to-floor glass walls overlooking the rocky precipice to the Pacific. The most striking addition is the ultra-modern Sutro Wing, home of Sutro's, which features seafood and organic produce. The Cliff House Bistro, situated in the original location, offers more traditional fare and it has a beautiful bar. Another addition is the "Cliff House To Go," for takeaway orders. Diners should be aware that although the food is acceptable, the real draw is the atmosphere and breathtaking views.
The elegant Sutro’s, housed within Cliff House, on Point Lobos Avenue overlooks the waters of the South Bay. Done up with oodles of class and style, the restaurant features large French windows that allow you to soak in the panoramic views as you relish sublime contemporary fare. Sutro's is named for the nearby Sutro Baths that are, incidentally, also the inspiration behind the design of the place. The lovely establishment is a modern reflection of a former landmark highlighted by the grace and nostalgia of the century gone by. Although the food menu changes as per seasonal inspirations, what remains constant is the restaurant's commitment to serve an innovative feast whilst maintaining strictest culinary standards and using the finest organic ingredients available. All in all, Sutro's makes for a perfect dining destination for celebrations and special dates.