Double-Date Dinners

Friends quite frequently ask me random restaurant questions and I love the challenge of finding the perfect place to fit their criteria.

Question of the day: What are your top 5 “fun” restaurants in San Francisco?

Of course, there are a multitude of “fun” restaurants in the city but you definitely need to cater this answer to the crowd dining out. This particular person was looking for a lively ambiance for two young couples visiting from out of town.

My solution would be one of the following:

1. nopa

Walking into nopa for the first time a couple years ago, I was so impressed with vastness of the space. Most restaurants in San Francisco are itty bitty; to the point where you can always hear conversations of neighboring tables, but not at nopa. The open, bi-level restaurant offers so much space. It’s a great double-date spot and a hit if you need to wine and dine the parents (spoken through experience). It’s always crowded, the menu never changes, but it always pleases the taste buds. They are open late night so you can dine whenever the hunger strikes. Reservations are recommended.

Image via nopa

2. Beretta

Although this place doesn’t take reservations for parties less than 6, there is a secret to avoiding the (sometimes) multiple hour wait. Call 45 minutes before arrival and they will put your name on a waiting list. As long as you check-in with the host/hostess in-person, within 45 minutes of calling, you secure your place on the waitlist. While you wait, you can elbow your way to the bar and grab a signature cocktail, glass of vino or beer. The place is always crowded, even late night (they are open until 1:00 am) with an eclectic Mission crowd, all ready to sample the small plates and pizzas. Don’t forget to save room for dessert; try their panna gelato with extra virgin olive oil & sea salt. I know it might sound weird, but it’s heaven. I swear.

Image via Beretta

3. Mamacita

It’s not like your typical hole-in-the-wall Mexican food joint, i.e. don’t expect to find a gigante burrito, served ranchero style on this menu, it's more of what I like to call "trendy, gourmet" Mexican food. Choose from dishes like shrimp ceviche or duck "carnitas" tacos. Think more along the lines of small plates. Order a few things and share. Don’t forget to order guacamole and your meal will not be complete without a margarita or some sangria! They take reservations but if you didn't plan ahead, post at the bar, grab a drink and nibble on some chips and salsa while you wait.

Image via Mamacita

4. A16

I know this is the second pizzeria on my list of “fun” restaurants, but there’s something about pizza that is easy and exudes casual fun. A16 was one of the first popular pizza spots in the city before a swarm of them were introduced (Delarosa, Beretta, Flour+Water, Zero Zero, Ragazza…just to name a few). Although the service can be dicey at times, the wood-fired pizzas are phenomenal. If pizza isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of other delicious Italian dishes to try. It’s wine and beer only at this place but with such an expansive wine list, there is something to suit everyone. And who doesn’t enjoy a glass of vino with hearty Italian fare? Reservations are suggested but they save the bar seating for walk-ins.

Image via Zagat for A16

5. Foreign Cinema

For a first date, double date or dinner party, this place is a great option. Picture a brick enclosed courtyard screening old black and white movies, table scattered throughout the courtyard, spilling into their open, loft-like building that adjoins the courtyard. It’s one of those rare San Francisco evenings when it isn’t actually freezing cold so you and your date are sitting outside (under the heat lamps because who are we kidding, it’s never that warm in the city) casually sipping vino and dining on delicious Cal-med fare. What a great night. Oh and they have valet. Enough said.

Image via Foreign Cinema