Romantic Dining Restaurants

Located in a building that will transport you to a quaint Parisian street corner, Garcon hosts a wide selection of classic French fare. This unpretentious neighborhood gem is recognized for its friendly and attentive service and intimate ambience. Once you enter, you will be greeted by a sleek nautical color scheme of navy blue accented by a rustic wood floor and chairs. The menu is sure to please the palate with favorites such as French Onion Soup, Steamed Mussels Mariniere, and Duck Confit. Also, be sure not to miss out on their full bar and extensive wine list.

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.

BayWolf Restaurant in Oakland has been one of the key players in creating and leading the Bay Area dining revolution for over 34 years because of the care, creativity, and inventive approach it takes to provide outstanding food in a relaxed setting. Their monthly menu specializes in French and Italian cuisine with a California attitude. BayWolf has always used local ingredients at their peak with a focus on wonderful duck preparations. The restaurant itself is a comfortable, old house whose modern art collection charms the dinner guests. BayWolf provides a memorable dining experience for romantic dinners as well as family …

Insalata is a gracious, comfortable restaurant that specializes in the genuine flavors and spices of the Mediterranean region. The complex Mediterranean food of Insalata has been made from locally sourced produce, meat, and poultry long before “locally sourced” was a standard of excellence in the restaurant industry. Owner Heidi Insalata Krahling became interested in food as a child in a food-intensive Italian family. She has expanded her Italian cooking heritage to include the cuisines of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures, and it is a wonderful adventure to dine at Insalata.

Chef George Morrone, best known for his tour-de-force career at Aqua, is now cooking up a new form of success at Sutro’s. Located at the historic Cliff House overlooking Ocean Beach, the setting incorporates breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean with venturesome surroundings where you can partake in a multitude of activities like hiking the spectacular Lands End trails, exploring the Sutro Bath vestiges or taking a stroll along the beach. The menu, which integrates seasonal farm-fresh ingredients and the finest seafood, also boasts an award-winning wine list and a rousing presentation.

Nestled in one of San Francisco’s most distinguished luxury hotels, Big 4 restaurant embodies soft romanticism, rich history, and innovative cuisine. Named after the four top nineteenth century railroad tycoons, this mahogany-accented restaurant will transport you with its historical artifacts, live piano music, and forest green banquettes. Their contemporary American menu is carefully crafted to reflect the seasons by talented Executive Chef Gloria Ciccarone-Nehls, a previous recipient of the “Chef of the Year" award by the National Executive Chefs Association. Menu items include light temptations such as the Vietnamese Maine Lobster and Prawn Spring Rolls for the health-conscious, or Rack …

For a truly unique San Francisco experience, there are few options that offer a better example of California's cutting edge design and cuisine than at the Moss Room at the Academy of Science, in Golden Gate Park. Hidden below the museum like a rare gem is a restaurant dedicated to producing extraordinary cuisine with ingredients from local sources and a nod to classic French preparation. The dramatic dining room with its namesake living wall of moss and fern is an ideal choice for a dining destination unlike any other in the Bay Area.

This gem of the San Mateo coast sparkles with the numerous honors and awards it has enjoyed throughout the years. Fresh, authentic, and intriguing Mediterranean fare is served up in an equally fresh and intriguing dining space. Rich earth tones bath the walls, and flowing panels drape down from the ceiling to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Similarly, the menu entices patrons with culinary delights that span the entire Mediterranean region. The Tunisian Kaskasu Bi’l Lahm is a slow-braised Victory Ranch lamb sholder, and the Manti is a Turkish dish of house-made dumplings. There is much to explore and …

Just south of San Francisco on the Pacific Ocean lies the city of Half Moon bay where agriculture and big wave surfing are the popular attractions in town. When it comes to food, Cetrella is the areas destination point. With French and Mediterranean undertones, Cetrella draws from local growers and purveyors to seasonally create dishes from land and sea. Freshly harvested Oysters on the Half Shell, Mussels, Grilled Octopus and the Beet Salad are light items that represent its closeness to the ocean and plentiful fields. Entrees like the Lamb Shank, Pork Chop, Duck Confit and Gnocchi Parisienne also allow …

Gitane is located on quiet Claude Lane between the Financial District and Union Square. Gitane has eclectic yet comfortable furnishings that create a romantic dining experience. The menu focuses on the range of cuisines from the Iberian Peninsula, which stretches from southern France through Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. In addition to the foods of Iberia, the bar at Gitane has made a specialty of the Sherries of Spain and Portugal. The staff is well-versed in both the food and spirits of the region and Gitane is a relaxing choice for a taste of Iberia in an eclectic and festive space.

This sophisticated American bistro specializes in California comfort food with a French flair. Chef Ola Fendert uses classic cooking techniques to prepare dishes like All Natural Baby Back Ribs and Lamb Daube. Oola Restaurant and Bar features these hearty bistro favorites while using organic meats and produce, as well as artisan cheeses and wines. Picked by Bon Appetit Magazine as one of the “Top 50 Hot Spots” around the country, this split level space is sleek and mature. Recycled wood, exposed stone, rust-toned light fixtures and plenty of candlelight produce an alluring and sexy atmosphere.

The Hotel Shattuck, in downtown Berkeley, is home to a sophisticated restaurant that incorporates all of the senses into the dining experience. Five is an elegantly spacious modern American bistro and bar defined by massive columns that rise up to support the intricately recessed ceiling, grandly lit chandeliers, and beaming floor-to-ceiling windows that cast everything in the glow of luxury. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are similarly well-designed with refined dishes that are both sophisticated and welcoming. Executive Chef Howard Scott melds opulence with familiarity in dishes like the Deviled Surf and Turf Eggs and the Short Rib Pot …

Commis’ cuisine strives to combine the classic and traditional with the modern and refreshing. The restaurant’s seasonally changing menu achieves this goal by infusing balance and ambition into each of its dishes. Located in Oakland, Commis sits central to most areas of San Francisco, allowing a variety of clientele to experience this chef’s new avant-garde vision. Commis creates this distinctive perspective by combining ingredients that come together in an almost unexpected harmony.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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, …

For a taste of authentic French cuisine plated with a healthy side of Old World opulence and charm, the Grand Café Brasserie and Bar is the place to visit. The restaurant dining space draws the eyes up to the 30-foot high ceilings with regal architectural elements and impressive columns that hearken back to the days of Art Deco luxury. To complement the space and offer a welcomed balance of inviting fare, the Grand Café menu presents guests with a plush selection of classic French brasserie cuisine dishes firmly rooted in seasonal freshness and flavor. Linger over a delightful drink at …