VIPLineup - New Stuff

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"New" means it's only been around less than a year or so, or maybe it still feels new! I've got these high on my radar screen as "must do's."

Want to stay up to date with the latest? Check out my personal blog, The Buzz Report

- Michael D.

		B = bar, R = restaurant, L = lounge
1300 on Fillmore (b, r, l)	San Francisco	Getting out in front of this one. A new swanky yet comfortable spot opening up as part of the Fillmore Heritage Center in November. Tthe buzz is in the air. Tell them Michael D sent ya...you know where you heard it first!
B Restaurant (r)	Oakland	Located on the active corner in Old Oakland (across form Jessos, Air Lounge and Levende), this place brings a slightly more upscale yet comfortable touch to the scene.
Bar Drake (b, l)	San Francisco	Apparently the Sir Francis Drake Hotel has remodeled and this swanky new bar is supposed to be a welcome addition to the lobby area. LMK
Bin 38	San Francisco	Haven't been, but read about it on another site. "Marina spot pairs artisanal beers and New World wines. Bellwether Farms ricotta tart with Delirium Tremens Belgian brew on the heated outdoor patio."
Bossa Nova (b)	San Francisco	If you're in the area, stop through.Small space. For the younger at heart.
Cesar (b, r)	Oakland	More restaurant than bar. A welcome addition to Piedmont Avenue. Nice sidewalk dining too.
Debartolo (b, r)	Oakland	Mixed reviews on the food, but love the hidden bar in the back.
District (b, l)	San Francisco	Not your typical wine bar, this one has LOTS of personality! For the younger at heart.
Ducca (b, r, l)	San Francisco	Located in the new St. Westin (formerly The Argent) on 3rd between Market and Mission. The report is generally good, in particular because of their indoor/outdoor terrace style bar/restaurant. Perhaps not a destination by itself, but worth a stop through if you're in the area, and looking for the next spot after dropping in at the St. Regis lobby bar on 3rd and Mission.
Farina	San Francisco	Haven't been, but it looks interesting depending on which review you believe. All say the ambience is very good ... contemporary and trendy.
Gator's Neo-Soul Cafe (r)	San Mateo	Put this one high on your radar screen All reports are very good. According to one reader, "The chef is cool. The food is great. He has a good thing in the works."
Harlot (b, l)	San Francisco	The latest creation from Martel&Nabiel, already well known for Sushi Groove and Oola. A smaller very hip club/lounge, which is best after work when you're likely to encounter a special event for young professionals, otherwise it's more like a more typical late night scene.
Levende (b,r,l)	Oakland	Great to see this SF bar/restaurant/lounge spreading its wings into Old Oakland. Only a few months old, it draws a dinner crowd which transforms into a nice bar crowd as the night wears on.
Mecca	San Francisco	Almost burned to a crisp last June, and reopened with an even larger bar area. I'm going to ASSUME it's better than it used to be. You tell me.
Mr. Barbershop (b, l, barbershop!)	San Francisco	Far from your typical barbershop. Interesting concept. Bar/lounge on the front end, barbershop on the back end.
Osha Thai (r, b)	San Francisco	A relatively new entry on Union Street, great contemporary ambience.
Quince (r)	San Francisco	I hate to say I've never been here, because just about every review I've read is great. Want romance, a great meal, fine wine, good service, and the ability to hear the person across from you? This is your spot.
SOMA Row (b, r, l)	San Francisco	Within walking distance of the financial district, there's a block of Steuart Street immediately south of Mission with a high concentration of top spots - Boulevard, Shanghai 1930, Mexico DF, Faz and Ozumo. Then walk around one corner and you've got Chaya on the Embarcadero and Americano on Mission, and Cosmopolitan Cafe sits on Spear around the other corner.
South Food + Wine Bar (r, b, l)	San Francisco	Features the Australian and New Zealand lifestyle, just opened down the street from "the" cash cow wine bar, District, on Townsend and 4th in SF. Wine bars are in, in, in; and this appears to be hot, hot, hot ...
SPQR (b, r, l)	San Francisco	The guys at A16 opened SPQR at Fillmore and Bush recently, and it's supposedly the rage already. Besides great food and wine, they'll seat you until 11p!
Spruce (r)	San Francisco	New. Haven't been, but the reviews have been very good. Supposed to be the latest and greatest in SF. Be sure to call ahead.
St. Regis Bar (b, l)	San Francisco	Finely tuned hotel lobby bar on Thurs/Fri after work. Always a classy crowd. Also the hottest residential address in the city.
Sugar Cafe (b, l)	San Francisco	This is different. Coffee house by day and lounge by night.
Tamarindo	Oakland	Small bites for big palates. Cozy, neighborhood refinement.
Ubuntu (r, b)	Napa	Calls itself a "vegetable restaurnat." Haven't been yet, but Michael Bauer gave it a thumbs up.
Umami (b, r, l)	San Francisco	Chic sushi in the Marina.
Wood Tavern (r)	Oakland	Owners transplanted from SF. It's a no brainier. Make a reservation.
Yoshi's (b, r, l)	San Francisco	Bringing an amazing combo of jazz, dining, bar/lounge...and "see and be seen" back to the Fillmore District. It's big, it's beautiful, and it's going to be the bomb. Opening November 28. Buy/reserve now. Check out the great residences above too.
Zza's Enoteca (wine bar)	Oakland	Wine bars are in, and this one is a good addition to the Merritt Lake neighborhood. Not a hustle bustle kind of place, but great for that low key lounge destination when you don't want to be in the mix. Good tapas too.