People watch and indulge in the fabulous dining at this San Francisco favorite. Known equally well for its affluent clientele and its oven-roasted chicken, this hot spot is worth the wait. Dinner entrees are nominally priced, though specials will cost you a bit more. If you are not enamored with the dinner scene, try visiting late mornings or early afternoons when you can sip on a latte (or scarf a Gorgonzola-topped burger) and watch the fog lift.
While the mythical and much-hyped liqueur after which this establishment is named is not served here, many equally potent concoctions are. Specialty drinks, such as the Perfect Pear and the Ginger Rogers, seem to contain pure alcohol, and even a standard margarita packs an unbelievable wallop. If you're looking for something to help mitigate the effects of a strong drink, then ditch the regular bar peanuts for Absinthe's bar snacks. This bar offers bread with a smooth fig spread, croque monsieur and more. The menu changes daily, but any antipasto platter of cured meats is sure to please, as will the particularly rich duck confit. You can enjoy your meal in the main room or at a cafe-style table on the sidewalk, but if you're looking for a quieter spot, book a table in the private dining room.
Yoshi's is not just a place where you can catch mind-blowing jazz, but also a sushi bar with an excellent food. Eager music lovers pack the restaurant and the Jazz House on performance nights. It showcases the best talent and boasts of high tech acoustics in the Bay area. A full cocktail menu is available with items like sushi, appetizers, salads and desserts. The attire is causal and the atmosphere jazzed up. It has a top-notch restaurant that serves Japanese food, and is open for lunch and dinner.
Bender's is a Mission District legend. Firebombed into oblivion in 2006, its valiant founders rallied the troops, and with a cavalcade of community support, reopened just a year and half later, bigger and better than ever. Some choice burnt-to-a-crisp fire wreckage are kept around as "trophies" of the place's victory over tragedy, you will love watching it. Comfy booths surround the pool table and the grill, which is operated by the folks at Weird Fish.
Brought to you by the same people who opened Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, Comstock Saloon is a lively establishment that maintains a Barbary Coast ambiance while serving up some delicious contemporary American food. Complete with a 20-foot mahogany bar, the cocktails here are legendary, as are the live music performances. Dishes have included the rustic yet decadent concoctions like Beef Shank and Bone Marrow Pot Pie and Ricotta Gnocchi. If you want a place to simply unwind, an evening at Comstock Saloon won't disappoint.
This neighborhood coffee shop is actually the Oakland branch of San Francisco's popular Farley's, which was opened in the 1980s. The two story coffee shop serves, of course, all kinds of coffee and tea drinks, but also features a menu light foods like soups, salads and hot and cold sandwiches. Farley's also offers a selection of beer and wine, and even has mimosas on the weekends! The upstairs area features all kinds of toys and kids books, and Farley's weekly hosts a storytime for them, along with other live music and performance events for grown-ups during many evenings.
This storefront ranks among the great cheesemongers in the United States. It is a fairly large space, but not a square inch of it is wasted in piling up the copious selection of sage derbys, gruyeres, gjetosts, cambozolas, manchegos and more. The latest arrivals are noted up on a big blackboard, and the staff is knowledgeable to the point of didacticism. It offers many other specialty foods, too, and has its own bakery. The Cheese Board Pizzeria is a Bay Area favorite for its daily changing artisan pizza specials.
Club Deluxe is one of Haight Street's only spots for live jazz, blues, swing, and soul. You will find bar stools, cushy booths, and table seating. In this swanky retro lounge, you can sip drinks and dance, enjoy local talent, or catch a band on tour. Put on your vintage wear on Tuesdays and join the “Church of Frank Sinatra” for a special swing and big band cocktail party. An absolute MUST for any fan of Old Blue Eyes and the scene he left behind.
Treat yourself with some delectable wine and food at Scopo Divino on California Street. The wine bar has an impressive collection of reds as well as whites, along with food to complement each drink. The wine menu is diverse and unique. On the other hand, the food menu is creative and indulgent. Take advantage of the happy hours and splurge on spectacular vinos from around the world. Enjoy your drink on the patio on a pleasant day or comfortably settle inside, amidst chic and light interiors. The staff is attentive and friendly, further elevating your dining experience here.
If you dream of lazy days listening to street jazz musicians while sitting in the hot Louisiana sun munching on seafood gumbo, look no further than Creola in San Carlos. With award-winning New Orleans-style cuisine featuring favorite Creole and Cajun specialties, this restaurant is sure to transport you to a spicier place. Standout flavorful dishes include Cajun Jambalaya, Catfish Belles Chase and the always savory Shrimp Creola. The cocktail list is equally as fun and flavorful with signature drinks like the New Orleans Hurricane and the Cajun Dirty Martini.
Prepared using fine and fresh local ingredients, Sliver Pizzeria offers delicious, fresh pizzas to its patrons. A no-frills place, it offers only one kind of pizza every day to maintain the freshness and consistent quality of its offerings. What truly sets apart Sliver Pizzeria is its desire to give back to the community; it raises awareness about social issues like human trafficking and partners with numerous non-profit organizations to combat social evils. Live music can be enjoyed with delectable pizzas during the weekends.