Quiet Conversation Restaurants

The word “Hanuri” stands for “we are family” in Korean, and the owners of Hanuri Korean BBQ Restaurant take that to heart by creating an inviting dining space and menu that strive, in their words, towards “active expression of utmost sincerity and genuine kindness.” The décor of the restaurant utilizes rich earth tones and natural elements with elegant, yet homey results: bamboo lines one wall and stone inlays adorn the floor. The menu strives to make exotic, traditional Korean dishes like Nakji Bokum, sautéed octopus and assorted vegetables in a spicy sauce, more approachable. Dine at Hanuri and meet your …

There is nothing intimidating or vicious about T-Rex Barbeque. In fact, its open, two story floor-plan and warm décor are quite inviting. T-Rex is “Berkeley Barbeque” – using only antibiotic and hormone-free meats, sustainable fish, and organic produce (whenever possible) – no bull whips to be found here, folks. You will find a Pulled Pork Omelette, Oysters on the Half Shell, and Grilled Steelhead Salmon. T-Rex also has an international beer selection worthy of applause, and a weeknight happy-hour schedule that encourages you to put it to the test.

Although Coi’s décor exudes a soothing calm in shades of earthy minimalism, its cuisine is a jolt of culinary electricity. Chef Daniel Patterson’s tasting menus take diners on a sensuous adventure reflective of his diverse culinary background, which includes a stint at the infamous El Bulli. A meal at Coi is an exercise in the revelry of the unexpected: a starter might include the application of essential oils to the wrist, while a dessert might be couched in smoked yogurt. The result is an experience that embodies the doe-eyed wonder of childhood with the poise and refinement of haute cuisine.

Once you locate tiny Gold Street, one slender block in San Francisco’s Jackson Square area, you’ve won half the battle. Now just look for the neon sign pointing the way inside and you will be lavishly rewarded upon entering Bix. The surprisingly spacious interior is pure elegance, like the dining room of a luxury Ocean liner from the 30’s. The lighting is dim, the cocktails are chilled to perfection, and whether you are on a sexy date or a buttoned down business dinner, you’ll know without a doubt that you have made the right choice. A sumptuous dinner awaits all …

Opened by the An family in 1991 following the success of their Vietnamese kitchen Thanh Long, Crustacean offers up-scale Euro-Asian fusion fare in an elegant fine dining setting. The menu follows Executive Chef Helene An's philosophy of turning fresh ingredients that are valued in Eastern medicine for their healing properties into simple, clean and refined dishes. Loyal customers have been returning for years for the secret family recipe for Garlic Noodles and Roasted Dungeness Crab. The sophisticated Asian decor in warm dark hues provides the appropriate setting to enjoy this homey yet sumptuous food. Located in the heart of Nob …

Palio d’ Asti is a well-known Italian restaurant in San Francisco’s Financial District. The interior of the restaurant permits the viewing of the chefs in the open kitchen preparing the Italian cuisine with seasonal ingredients according to regional influence. During fall and winter, the focus is on Piemonte and Toscana. During the spring, the focus is on Rome and Umbria, while the summer is dedicated to Sicily and Naples. Dishes like the Carpaccio di Tonno, which is thinly sliced and hand-pounded raw ahi tuna with bottarga di tonno, arugula, lemon, and horseradish, can be found on the menu.

Daffodil Restaurant radiates the sunny charm of its namesake. Located in the Orchard Hotel, this sun-swept restaurant emphasizes the art of culinary balance and communal feasting. Executive Chef Russell Rummer creates imaginative and seasonal small plates designed for sharing, which when masterfully paired with wines from the restaurant’s extensive and exquisite collection, achieve a dining experience that is as transcendent as the restaurant’s décor. For those with heartier appetites, larger plates are also available, complete with their own wine recommendations. A bright and airy glass-walled private wine room enables diners seeking a more intimate gastronomic affair to focus on their …

Amidst the growing fast food “burrito culture” of Californian Mexican food, Mamacita champions the ideals of traditional Mexican cuisine. The menu emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients, handmade preparation, and the love and care found in a home-cooked meal, creating a cuisine that has the refinement of haute cuisine and all the satisfaction of comfort food. Adobe walls, terracotta tiles, and thatch accents combine with starburst lanterns and twinkling lights to evoke the feeling of a magical realist hacienda from the pages of a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel. A pomegranate margarita, handmade tortillas, and an ambience that is both invitingly familial and …

The chic Fifth Floor restaurant acts as a culinary and visual bridge connecting the Bay area and executive chef Laurent Manrique’s native Southwestern France. The menu is both refreshingly modern and faultlessly traditional, with one dish having a provenance traced to King Henry IV’s table. Fifth Floor’s décor enhances the experience of regional pastiche, with a color scheme that evokes the landscape of both regions. Cool ocean blues mingle with sandy ochres and wine reds, colors that embody not only the surrounding Bay area, but simultaneously transport the diner to Southern France. An evening at Fifth Floor is an exploration …

Centrally located in the buzzing business district of San Francisco’s Union Square, Campton Place provides the opportunity for a quick business lunch, cocktails, or a 5 course sit-down tasting dinner. The restaurant serves a great deal of upscale fare like Caviar, rare wines, and delectable desserts with blown sugar accents as well as scrumptious main courses. Head Chef Srijith uniquely adds a Mediterranean flare to his California cuisine by infusing balance into each dish that is made from fresh locally grown ingredients. Campton Place is surely a winemaker’s and wine lover’s destination as the restaurant’s wine list boasts some of …

One Market makes for one exquisite dining experience. With stunning views and upscale atmosphere, One Market is one of the few restaurants in San Francisco with an unbeatable location to serve some of the city’s most exciting cuisine. Executive Chef Mark Dommen has created a menu that appeals to a variety of culinary interests and budgets, featuring seasonal American fare with an emphasis on fresh, organic, and local ingredients. The food, the service, and the ambiance are truly exceptional and will keep one coming back for more.

Entering Boulevard’s doors is like stepping inside of a Toulouse-Lautrec painting. With its elegant mosaics, stylized wood accents, and softly glowing atmosphere, designer Pat Kuleto has captured the romance of the iconic Parisian bistro, elevating the historic building to the heights of its period artistry. Chef Nancy Oake’s culinary creations are themselves works of art. Each French-influenced dish is like a sculpture, consisting of layered components in a delicate balance of color and flavor that is as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds. Dripping with Belle Époque glamour and the flowery beauty of Art Nouveau, …

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.

Located on Pier 33, Butterfly hosts a view of San Francisco Bay that simply can’t be beat. With spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows, an open kitchen where Owner/Chef Robert Lam concocts his creations, and a large and airy dining room, there is no lack of visual stimulation here. The trendy, modern décor is perhaps most complimented by the vibrant art-work that adorns the walls and ceilings, all of which have been amassed from local artists. The Cal-Asian cuisine is nothing to scoff at either. The flavorful dishes reflect Chef Lam’s culinary background as well as his Vietnamese heritage.

Classic Roman Italian cuisine is balanced against the modern and sleek setting of Chiaroscuro Ristorante’s dining space, and reflects an artistic appreciation for contrasting visual elements that bring life to otherwise two-dimensional spaces. Chef Alessandro Campitelli ensures that his dishes are anything but flat by combining flavorful and fresh ingredients to compose specialties like the Tagliolini All’Amatriciana, homemade pasta mixed with caramelized onions, imported guanciale tomatoes, and romano cheese, and the Abbacchio Alla Griglia, grilled Australian lamb served with a polenta soufflé topped with a baked egg and gorgonzola cheese.

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.

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.

While traditional, classic, Italian cuisine has been a hit with diners all over the world for centuries, the owners and chefs at È Tutto Qua strive to infuse cutting edge recipes and techniques from Rome into their menu. Located in the heart of North Beach, È Tutto Qua does an excellent job keeping up with the latest trends in Italy, but the focus is always on quality ingredients and superb service. Meats and fish arrive fresh daily, pasta is made in-house from scratch, and many ingredients aren't added to your dish until right before it heads to your table. Knowing …

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.

The Village Pub not only serves the appetite for food, but it also hopes to satisfy the entire being. Whether you’re looking to tread new ground, or you’re simply hoping to be greeted by the familiar, The Village Pub has the menu and character to keep you intrigued. Executive Chef Mark Sullivan constructs his contemporary American cuisine by drawing from classic French and Mediterranean traditions, and locally cultivated ingredients. The dinner menu highlights dishes like the Shaved Foie Gras Torchon, while the pub menu offers lighter fare – the Pork and Garlic Sausage is made in-house. The truly staggering wine …