Hey all, I’m going to be in San Francisco next month with my wife and am looking for a few suggestions for places to eat dinner that are either corkage friendly and/or have an interesting wine list. Of course, I’d love the food to be excellent. Any reco’s welcome as we’ll go out for at least one higher end meal, but I’m especially interested in a place where one can eat for under $100 (not including beverages).
Thanks to all in advance.
There aren’t any.
Seriously, there are probably at least 500 that in some way anwer that call. Where will you be? Cuisine preferences?
La folie has a great list. Corkage is $50 tho
Boulevard has a fine list.
almost every restaurant in SF proper fits this bill.
The only hard part there is the under $100, but here are a few of my favorites to get you started, all highly recommended -
1760 - the casual sister to Acquerello, eclectic and well-priced list. Talk to either David Roby or Gianpaolo Paterini on the wine side.
The Morris - in a mostly residential area, solid food and good cocktails.
Cotogna - sister to Quince, casual but great food and list.
Zuni Cafe - an institution, good list and really solid food.
Bar Agricole - bistro-type fare, good stuff.
Spruce - tough to do the $100, but great list and very good food.
State Bird Provisions - very simple but well-done food, eclectic list.
If you want splurge places, there are tons and tons of those too. If you’re a gin drinker at all, you have to check out Whitechapel on Polk St. near City Hall.
I agree with a lot of these ideas. I’d add the Heirloom Cafe - very good, thoughtful and well curated list and delicious food. In your price range. There are many more.
Nearly all restaurants have corkage policies but I always call in advance to avoid confusion.
We had a great meal at Octavia last weekend. $25 corkage, and an interesting wine list. Prices weren’t too bad for the quality of the food.
The Morris. Fantastic wine list and amazing food.
Also would absolutely recommend State Bird Provisions and Liholiho Yacht Club, but those are usually more difficult reservations.
State bird provisions has a small portion of walk-ins every day. You just have to go there early and wait in line. The wait is not that bad and provides a nice chance for people watching.
XY
Ah, also we had a dinner at L’Ardoise last night. The food is decent, wines are reasonable, the neighborhood is cool too. Most importantly, the corkage is only 25, and if you order a bottle from their list, they waive the corkage. So we did exactly that: ordered a bottle and brought a bottle. The food was exactly $100: two appetizers, two entries, and one dessert.
Sorry if my request is too generic. I’m interested in most cuisine other than Japanese. We are staying at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis at 780 Mission Street. My wife has a conference there so it would be helpful to stay within that general area.
I appreciate everyone’s suggestions so far. Please keep them coming. I’m looking up the suggestions provided thus far.
Definitely call ahead for corkage, although most places allow it, some have various terms & conditions like number of bottles maximum, definition of what a bottle is (mags might be 2), and if wines on their non public list are permitted. Also note that some restaurants post additional surcharges and responsibility sharing fees in addition to normal tax and service fees.
Cotagna is fantastic. Corkage is fine but you won’t sell yourself short, either with quality or pricing, by ordering off the list.
Can’t say the same thing about Spruce. Food isn’t bad and the list itself is amazing. Until you look at the prices, which are frankly insulting. Wealthy neighborhood though, so if people are buying then more power to 'em.
Aster
Commonwealth
Rich Table
La Cicia
Delfina
The House
Progress
NOPA
I assume that you meant $100 per head. Some of the above restaurants are doable at $100 for 2 people when you order 2 mains and share an appetizer. You can squeeze in a dessert if the price limit does not include tax and tip.
Thank you for the recs. Yes, I meant $100 per person (as a guideline, not a hard limit).
Got it. As a note some places are a bit hard to get into so I suggest booking as early as possible. Rich Table and Progress are a couple that are like this but on weekends almost any half decent restaurant in SF gets fully booked. Enjoy your stay.