Special Occasion Restaurants

Yoshi’s San Francisco, the jazz club and Japanese restaurant, has a new location in Oakland. About Yoshi's: Chef Shotaro Kamio has brought the best of his experience as an apprentice to top chefs in Tokyo to his own work here stateside with Yoshi's. Finding the perfect balance between using traditional Japanese cooking methods, seasonal ingredients, and authentic spices, Chef Kamio uses three words to describe his cuisine: Seasonal, Simple, and Surprise. Try the Maple Leap Duck Takaki (with summer vegetables, a Saikyo miso vinaigrette, and Welsh vanilla sea salt) or the Tsukiji Sashimi Selection (five varieties of seasonal fish from …

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 …

If the name itself isn't enough to lure one into the doors of Koh Samui and the Monkey, perhaps the promise of authentic Thai decor hand-picked by owner/operator Aom Foley will justify a look. Foley and her husband Chris have carefully crafted the inside to reflect the beauty of Thailand, where they first met while scuba diving in Koh Samui. Tongue-tickling selections on this menu include food inspired by Bangkok street vendors such as the fried sweet corn patties, or spicy curries prepared in unique ways, like the Pumpkin Curry Chicken in Red Curry sauce served in a pumpkin and …

NOPA, like the city of San Francisco, is a study in duality. Both are cutting edge yet firmly rooted in the past. This is reflected in the contrast between the restaurant's sleek yet rustic design and masterfully prepared food. The intent at NOPA is to find and procure only the freshest and most seasonal ingredients and serve them in a manner that only enhances their quality. The restaurant is a welcomed addition to its namesake, North of the Panhandle neighborhood, as it has been extremely popular since opening in 2006. The bar is urbane without being fussy, the food is …

As Executive Chef and Owner Staffan Terje says, "You don’t choose who you fall in love with." To that same affect, diners may not have a choice but to swoon over the elegant experience a visit to Perbacco promises. A romantic ambiance is achieved through the restaurant’s showcase of exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and opulent accents of marble. Chef Terje’s menu delights the palate just as the décor treats the eyes, and presents a truly authentic selection of Italian dishes. For example, the Coniglio Al Civet, or Devil’s Gulch Rabbit, is rich and rustic in a spiced red wine …

Revel in an eating scene that encourages patrons to try new tastes and strengthen bonds by sharing plates, at Pesce. This Venetian cuisine-inspired restaurant relies on the freshest ingredients and high quality fish and meat to serve the equivalent of Spanish tapas with a varied Cicchetti menu of hot and cold dishes. These miniature entrees may be petite, but their flavor is anything but timid. The cold Cicchetti selection offers such delicacies as the Alici Bruschette (white anchovies, olives, and roasted peppers), while the hot menu hoasts the Tortino (a saffron risotto cake with Dungeness crab meat).

Simplicity is bliss: local ingredients, fresh flavors, and charming surroundings, converge to offer a truly blissful experience at Spruce. This communal watering hole encourages diners to dine, socialize, and relax, with the help of a menu that highlights the very best of contemporary American cuisine. The in-house temperature controlled curing room caters to the impressive charcuterie selection, and up to 80% of the produce used at any time may come from the restaurant’s own private farm. Savory delights include the Hot and Cold Foie Gras, the Buttered Main Lobster, and the Charred Berkshire Pork Tenderloin.

Old World elegance woos modern sophistication at Scala’s Bistro through an ambience and menu that prizes classic presentation and quality. Rustic Northern Italian and Southern French influences converge in the restaurant’s traditional Parisian café setting, and Executive Chef Tim Nugent takes the opportunity to bring the European countryside to his patrons. Dishes like the Beef Carpaccio, Lemon Parsley Gnocchi, and the Seared ‘Loch Duart’ Salmon, hope to seduce you with their fresh and seasonal ingredients, while the 150 bottle wine list and classic cocktail menu compliment the cuisine and offer their own unique rewards.

It may have all began with the bread, but now it’s about so much more. Bistro Boudin is located on the upper level of Boudin at the Warf, serving up heaping helpings of bay-front views with every loaf of sourdough they turn out. Bistro Boudin continues to honor its roots by featuring its famous sourdough prominently on the menu, while representing San Francisco’s rich heritage with classic seafood specialties and more contemporary takes on old recipes. To complement the menu and region, Bistro Boudin also presents guests with a wine list saturated in the area’s award-winning varietals. Whether you’re enjoying …

Located on the second floor of the trendy Hotel Nikko, Anzu offers up a distinctive Euro-Japanese menu in an elegant and intimate atmosphere. Chef Barney Brown, a seasoned veteran of Asian cuisine, creates tasty and colorful sushi creations as well as a range of entrées from Miso Butter-Poached Lobster to Slow-Braised Boneless Beef Shortribs. Set in the heart of bustling downtown San Francisco, this fusion restaurant is a stylish retreat equally suited for a relaxed brunch with friends and family or a romantic evening with that special someone.

Take a holiday in Jalisco, Mexico – the birthplace of tequila – without so much as having to pack a hat. Tres Agaves Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Lounge serves regional, rustic cuisine that relies on authentic ingredients and techniques to create dishes true in presentation and flavor. Just as vital as the fine cuisine is Tres Agave’s commitment to fine tequila. As the restaurant’s name implies, the three types of 100% Blue Agave Tequila (Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo) are the true stars of this production. Tequila tastings are held to educate patrons about the true nature of tequila: the biggest …

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 …

Monetta White grew up in the Fillmore district during its jazz heyday, when it was known as “The Harlem of the West”. As she grew older, she saw the area’s decline and wanted to give back to the neighborhood that helped shape her. With the opening of their San Francisco restaurant in 2008, she and her husband, executive chef David Lawrence, made it happen. 1300 on Fillmore's jazzy, 1930's theme is very relaxed and entertaining, and its soulful American cuisine makes you feel right at home.

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.

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 …

No matter that Chouquet’s was not intended to be the next big thing; it took off just the same. Chef Laurent Guillaume’s ability to meld old and new flavors into delightful light dishes; the service staff’s attentive and unpretentious care; and the stylish dining space meant to compliment, not distract from, the food, all converged to give Chouquet’s the attention it deserves. Brunch is offered on the weekends in place of the weekday lunch menu, and dinner is served nightly – the Effigham Oysters are seductive mignonette mint and shallots; and the Rigatoni with truffles, chanterelles, and foie gras is …

The past, present, and future, converge into one moment captured by the dramatic and stunning décor and the innovative cuisine of Circa. Chef Erik Hopfinger lends his experience and imagination to such dishes as the Lobster and White Truffle Mac-n-Cheese and the Buttermilk Battered Fried Chicken. The visual eloquence of Circa’s dining space was conceived by Michael Brennan, and he selected Neil Seth Levine’s artwork to encapsulate the restaurant’s theme of “a moment in time.” Vibrant flowers seem to burst into bloom right before diners’ eyes as they linger over tasteful bites, and savor moments soon to be lost… if …

Providing a lively backdrop for mingling with friends over cocktails, lingering over a romantic meal, or simply absorbing some live entertainment, First Crush aims to please. Intimate dinners and large parties alike are welcome, and encouraged to sample the many small plates, large entrees, and the staggering exclusively California-based wine list. Tickle your taste buds with petite samplings like the Baked “Crush” Salad and the Dungeness Crab Cake, and then commence the feast with the Pan Roasted Hawaiian Walu or the Crush “Kobe” Burger. Dining at First Crush begins with the same giddiness of its namesake experience but can easily …

Fish and Farm is a chic restaurant committed to the principles of the sustainability movement. The restaurant is dedicated to pleasing your palate with all-natural and organic, local ingredients and to composing fantastic interpretations of old favorites that have a distinctive freshness to them. By dubbing their work “New American Seafood and Artisan Meats,” the owners of Fish and Farm have attracted curious food connoisseurs from all walks of life. The energy and service at this devoted eatery is as zestful as its clientele. With all this in mind, Fish and Farm remains a must for locals and visitors alike.

Located just off San Francisco’s famous Lombard Street, Bistro Aix is bursting with new flavors .These organic dishes are created nightly using fresh ingredients from local growers. . Bistro Aix’s Californian twist on French Provencal food traditions present guests with a taste of this Northern region right here in California. The restaurant’s focus on olive oil and fresh organic products allows for unique menu flexibility and variety in which the chef’s versatility shines. Dishes are intriguing and invite diners to try an old favorite with a new age spin. Bistro Aix provides an intimate and simple and comfortable atmosphere in …