|
 DINING...
WITH RHYTHM AND STYLE!
by Michael D., Contributing Writer
Are you on the list for
VIP LINEUP?
LIVE JAZZ *
BACKGROUND BEATS *
LATE NIGHT DINING
LIVE JAZZ - Try these UPSCALE restaurants which usually provide jazz throughout the evening while you dine! Be sure to CALL
AHEAD to confirm day, time, and type of music.
SAN FRANCISCO
Ana Mandara - Sophisticated Vietnamese in Ghiradelli Square (415) 771-6800
Bacar - American & great wine, South of Market (415) 904-4100
Bix - American supper club in the Financial District (415) 433-6300
Bruno's - Retro Italiano in the Mission (415) 648-7701
Butterfly - Mission (Live on Tues, Wed, Fri. DJ on Thurs and Sat) - Pacific rim inspired cuisine in the Mission (415) 864-8999
Butterfly - Embarcadero (Live on Tues, Wed, Fri. DJ on Thurs and Sat) - This former location of Lapis, and the new sister restaurant to the Mission location, now has the added benefit of Chef Lam's Cal-Asian menu, and live DJ beats.
(415) 291-9054
Bubble Lounge (live jazz on Wed nights) - Not a restaurant, but a very cool champagne bar lounge with good appetizers in a great den-like setting. Mid week pulls a financial district crowd. (415) 434-4204
Café De Paris (mid to upscale) - French in Cow Hollow (415) 931-5006
Cosmopolitan Cafe (DJ/live music) - Contemp American, South of Market (415) 543-4009
Enrico's (casual) - Italian in North Beach (415) 982-6223
Moose's - Regional American in North Beach (415) 989-7800
Rassela's on Fillmore (casual) - African/Ethiopian in the Fillmore (415) 567-5010
Shanghai 1930 (occasional live...call) - Decadent Chinese, South of Market (415) 896-5600
Top of the Mark - American with a view on Nob Hill (415) 616-6916
OAKLAND AREA
Downtown - California/Mediterranean in Berkeley (510) 649-3810
Jordan's (live music Sunday eve only) - California in Berkeley Hills (510) 549-8510
Paragon - American with a view in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills (510) 549-8585
Yoshi's - Japanese with world class jazz in Jack London Square (510) 238-9200
DINING with BACKGROUND BEATS - Tap your foot while you eat to DJ or taped music at these upbeat "urban chic"
establishments. MDR = Michael D's Review
SAN FRANCISCO
Absinthe (mid to upscale) - Cal/Mediterranean in Hayes Valley (415) 551-1590
"A welcome throwback in decor, good for "pre and post" Davies performances, active bar, heard Frank playing in the background." (MDR)
Asia de Cuba - Fusion of Asian and Latin near Union Square (415) 929-2300
"Over the top food, ultra contemporary decor, see and be seen, hippest restaurant in town...closest thing to New York in San Francisco without the smoke. And the Redwood Room..." (MDR)
Azie - Pan Asian, South of Market (415) 538-0916
Butterfly (DJ/live music) - Pacific rim bordering on the Embarcadero(415) 982-0203
"Near Mission location and jazz club-like interior can sometimes attract a nicely mixed crowd, industrial chic feel, tapas, a welcome venture." (MDR)
Eastside West (DJ/live music) - East coast style seafood in Cow Hollow (415) 885-4000
"Casual dress, surprisingly good beats, tasty small plates, small sidewalk dining area, friendly attentive service." (MDR)
KKSF Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch - New location, Equinox at the Hyatt.
MatrixFillmore - Tasty appetizers only, Cow Hollow (415) 563-4810
"Cool contemporary decor, decent beats, younger than old crowd, and a clientele reflective of the Cow Hollow/Pacific Heights neighborhood. Glass front wall, and such a cool fireplace..."
(MDR)
Mecca - Asian fusion on Upper Market (415) 621-7000
"A surprise near the Castro, mixed crowd, leans towards a New York feel, cool circular bar, try to get a booth for dining, cool beats." (MDR)
Ponzu - Pan asian with a California spin near Union Square (415) 775-7979
"A little surprise for the near Tenderloin neighborhood, somewhat exotic interior, good appetizers, a good in-between stop." (MDR)
Sushi Groove (casual urban chic) - Sushi with sake cocktails, Russian Hill (415) 440-1905
"Great neighborhood sushi, always a line, check out the wine bar next door before dinner, parking nightmare but inquire about valet on Polk Street." (MDR)
Sushi Groove South - Sushi with sake cocktails, South of Market (415) 503-1950
"Soho in San Francisco, down groove mix, on a given night anyone could be here, don't look for the sign...there isn't one, and great sushi." (MDR)
OAKLAND AREA
Acote - French/Italian/Mediterranean in Rockridge (510) 655-6469
"Excellent small dishes, great wine list, nice downbeat feel, love the bartenders, no reservations - you'll probably have to wait to get in...but worth the wait" (MDR)
Mezze - Mediterranean near Lake Meritt (510) 663-2500
"Great boutique restaurant, wonderful creative dishes, friendly staff, upscale yet comfortable, would easily survive in SF, and the nicest owners!" (MDR)
INTO THE WEE HOURS OF THE NIGHT -
Dining late? Don't hesitate, but be sure to CALL AHEAD AND CONFIRM SERVING TIMES! If you're like me, you can never remember these late night restaurants when the occasion requires, so print out this section (right click on chart, save as picture, and print) and put it somewhere that you can get to when you need it!
The category codes are pretty simple - they generally describe the 3 A's - attitude, ambience and attire: S-Serves After Midnight, D-Diner, C-Casual, M-Midscale, U-Upscale, V-Valet Parking (careful on the parking,
valet often stops at 12a or so). All of the restaurants are good, but of course I have my favorites (some for the location, the food, the ambience, and some for all 3), so look for the "MDF" (Michael
D's Favorite).
Wanna know more about the restaurants below?
Go to
Bay Area Citysearch and do a search!
*
BACK TO TOP *
 |
