Romantic Dining Restaurants

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and to be exact, the epicenter of San Jose, is Paolo’s, an Italian restaurant with roots planted firmly in “The Boot”. Open now for over 50 years in the River Park area, Paolo’s serves lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday in a unique park-like environment. If you’re looking for pastas or pizzas, either contemporary or traditional, you can find them on the menu. Some of the items are originals from the first few years of opening, like the Ossobuco di Vitello (Braised veal shank, saffron faro, and gremolata) and Empress Salad which consists …

Chambers Eat + Drink is a restaurant and lounge inside San Francisco’s iconic rock n’ roll hotel, the Phoenix, and provides a menu, décor, and ambiance that is both chic and full of substance. Executive Chef Trevor Ogden—formerly from Mission Beach Café and Umami—has constructed a menu that is laden with seasonal entrees derived from California with influences from Japan, the Mediterranean and France. Examples are the Sizzling Kobe Tri-Tip and the Lamb Saddle—English peas, Israeli couscous, baby white carrots, chard leeks, pea tendrils and lamb jus. The menu complements the aesthetics, providing scenery that is modern with two indoor …

With a great atmosphere and local favorite Happy Hour, Wine Jar in Japan Town offers the neighborhood a wine bar experience like no other. The intimate décor invites guests to enjoy any glass or bottle from their extensive wine list while catching up with an old friend, enjoying the company of that special someone, or just unwinding after a day at work. Food is limited to a cheese plate, but patrons are encouraged to enjoy take out from local restaurants at the Wine Jar, a few suggestions are even listed on the menu. For a good time in an inviting …

Named after Unione Sportiva, a popular soccer team from Palermo, Sicily, U.S. Original Restaurant in North Beach has been serving guests for over twenty years. A favorite appetizer, the Antipasti de Mare with clams, mussels, shrimp, baby calamari, and scallops on a bed of ice cold lettuce with capers, celery, minced red onion, and tomato served with lemon wedges and a light red wine vinaigrette will whet the appetite for the main course. Daily specials abound, and the Osso Bucco, served on Saturdays, has some locals claiming it to be the best in San Francisco. Open for lunch and dinner …

Making the most of a simple, rustic interior with strong influences of the bayou thrown in, Angeline’s Louisiana Kitchen focuses on authentic Creole and Cajun eats. Seasonal crawfish boils make this East Bay eatery a must-do in terms of Louisiana cuisine. Chef Brandon Dubea brings a lifetime of Louisiana upbringing to the kitchen of this local establishment, located just a stone’s throw from the Berkeley Public Library. Make sure that after a big ol’ bowl of steaming gumbo, you save room for a New Orleans classic, Angeline’s award-winning beignets, cooked to order.

Embracing the term “Local” and running with it, the folks at Gather excel in sourcing locally grown and raised ingredients for their menu that boasts it’s 50% vegetarian. Located in the David Brower center, the greenest building in the East Bay-- Gather possesses a casual yet elegant atmosphere to cater to just about anyone. The interior consists of mostly reclaimed materials from the surrounding area, accenting their open kitchen. Boasting an ever-changing seasonal menu, Gather offers everything from vegan “charcuterie” to a grilled half chicken. Open for brunch on the weekends and lunch and dinner nightly, Gather sources up good …

Maykadeh restaurant of North Beach expertly uses Persian spices in their cuisine to give their food an authentic taste. From Kebabs to Soltani, Maykadeh stays true to its heritage, even offering diners traditional desserts such as Pallodeh and Bastani, a traditional Persian ice cream. Maykadeh also features a Halal menu just as varied as the regular one. Classic white tablecloths and flawless presentation characterize the interior of this restaurant, making Maykadeh the ideal place to take a date. In addition to dining in options, this restaurant offers two different catering menus to help serve at any special event.

McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant is located in famed Ghirardelli Square, overlooking the San Francisco Bay and other prized attractions like Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, Aquatic Park, and the marina. They only offer the highest quality of seafood that changes accordingly to its supply and demand; the menu is printed twice daily to ensure it reflects what’s hot off the docks and hot in the kitchen. Guests can expect to indulge on local catches as well as seasonal specialties from the US and international waters. Complement your ‘surf’ with some ‘turf’ and enjoy a number of prime steak, chicken, and …

Considered by patrons to be the best prime rib in Fog City, House of Prime Rib is perhaps the most popular place for a truly hearty meal. Serving well-marbled Prime Rib in the English Tradition, the premium, choice cuts are carved right at your table. In fact, most of the dishes are prepared right before your eyes, creating a unique and memorable dining experience for any occasion. Serving only the top 2% of all beef marketed, House of Prime Rib has a simple menu of meats and accompanied salads, plus cocktails and desserts, but this menu has elevated it to …

Located in Haight-Asbury, San Francisco’s most colorful Historic district, lies a Tapas restaurant and bar that revolutionizes the marriage of healthy dining and intense flavor. Caribbean and Cajun flavors are staple of importance at Cha Cha Cha, a restaurant that can prove that eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to eat bland. Serving up spicy, hot dishes such as Lechon Asado (roast leg of pork), and Arroz Con Pollo (roasted chicken with spicy vegetables), guests can be introduced to new flavors as well as dine on classic flavors. With options for lunch and dinner as well as drinks and dessert, …

Vampires beware! The Stinking Rose is known throughout San Francisco as being the number one restaurant for fans of garlic and excellent food. Located in North Beach, the restaurant goes through over 3,000 pounds of the garlic each month, and diners visit again and again to indulge in the Californian-Italian cuisine. The Stinking Rose is best known for its Dungeness Killer Crab: a fresh crab weighing over two pounds and roasted in a secret garlic sauce until succulent and juicy. The garlicky goodness extends to the rest of the restaurant’s menu, which includes seafood skillets, tureens, surf and turf, pastas, …

For almost 30 years, Taste Catering has been the leading source for San Francisco’s event planning needs. This Bay Area institution actively supports local growers and purveyors, engaging in the use of organic and sustainable agricultural practices. Beyond backing the region’s independent agriculture community, Taste is fully committed to representing their clients’ unique style and vision. From a dramatic and romantic wedding to a lively yet professional corporate event, Taste will execute every detail with a flair for creativity and a standard of professionalism. Leave your next catering needs to Taste and savor the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ that come from …

Infused with the flavors and colors of the seasons, San Francisco’s Yield Wine Bar invites guests to come in and try something new. They believe in providing high quality dishes and wines that won’t break the bank. Yield’s cuisine is a contemporary American and Thai fusion. The menu is full of unique combinations and flavors sure to entice any palate and Yield’s knowledgeable staff is more than happy to recommend dishes and wine pairings. The ambiance is tranquil and romantic with a hint of excitement and complete with a chic decor. Yield is a great place to swing by for …

In need of a short vacation, romantic rendezvous, or a hip hang out? Head over to Amelie Le Bar a Vin on San Francisco’s Polk Street. This wine bar has a wine list that is 125 bottles strong and representative of a trip around the world. Their list also changes regularly in an effort to keep things fresh and exciting, however, they still hold on to a grouping of favorites. Amelie serves contemporary French cuisine along with an inventive list of cocktails and beers. The bar’s atmosphere is buzzing with the city’s energy while retaining that “neighborhood bar” feeling since …

There’s a bit of Rome right in the heart of San Francisco. 54 Mint presents bold flavors with imaginative pairings and infuses a bit of Italy into everything they prepare. This combination restaurant and wine bar is located downtown on the historic Mint Plaza and attracts locals and tourists alike with its charming décor and ambiance. 54 Mint has a comprehensive wine list and food menu as well as community seating in their wine cellar which can also be rented out for private events.

Destino is lively and casual, and walking inside on an otherwise quiet Monday night can feel like being transported to a South American city during happy hour. The bright walls of the dining room are decorated with religious icons and mirrors of all shapes and sizes. Destino's menu is composed completely of small plates, all infused with flavors that Executive Chef James Schenk grew up with. Examples of the menu include three striking ceviches, tiger prawns with a spicy sofrito puree over plantain-bacon cakes, and a popular Peruvian street food: beef-heart skewers served with aji panca pepper reduction.

With its white marble stairs, towering Roman-style columns, and expansive dining room, Michael Mina is a monument to gastronomy. Its décor, awash in a subdued mauves, brown leathers, and soft creams, manages to be highly modern and chic, while still evoking a timeless, stately elegance. Chef de Cuisine Chris L’Hommedieu, who has had extensive experience working under Executive Chef Michael Mina in the past, expertly executes Mina’s New American culinary vision, presenting decadent prix-fixe menus showcasing fresh ingredients, culinary creativity, and epicurean artistry at its finest. Michael Mina’s namesake restaurant delivers a decadently pleasurable culinary romp in a calmingly demur …

If you follow Cortland Avenue until it appears to end, you’ll likely stumble upon Piqueo’s, a charming Peruvian gem specializing in tapas. Showcasing an acclaimed chef from Peru who creates native specialties in his open kitchen, the restaurant feels more like a home than a business. An unassuming exterior conceals a small vibrant space, complete with dim lighting and a sultry atmosphere. Piqueo’s features an extensive tapas selection that will have you walking away at the end of the night feeling like you’ve finally experienced that elusive taste of Peru and its culinary delights at their best.

Located in the Westin Hotel on Market Street, Ducca presents an innovative menu featuring many of Italy’s culinary staples. Guests can dine under the sparkling chandeliers or enjoy the popular style of bar dining, as seen in the Veneto region. Chef Erica Holland-Toll crafts a variety of mouth watering dishes that are geared to leave even the most discriminating foodie satisfied. The wine list highlights the dual regional influence, with a focus on Italian and California vintages offered by the glass and bottle. The Venetian inspired décor (take note of the gold forks), combined with impeccable service and delicious cuisine, …

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.