Many high-end restaurants in San Francisco have been greatly affected by COVID-19. But romance doesn’t die just because there’s a pandemic. Having a meal together is a great way to get to know someone, or to cement your existing bond. Here are some places where you can still share a special meal with your significant other.
Pack a picnic
Dine-in socially-distanced-style outdoors in a park, where you’ve got plenty of green space and you can stay well away from other people. Whet your appetite by climbing up Billy Goat Hill, where you’ll be rewarded with a stunning panorama of most of north San Francisco.
For an appealing appetizer, pick up some marinated olives at the nearby Italian restaurant La Ciccia, which specializes in serving Sardinian food. You can also order some pasta to go, including their Malloreddus alla Campidanese, semolina gnochetti with pork and pecorino. If you’ve got a strong back and don’t mind carrying the weight, you can even order a bottle of prosecco for pickup.
Up for a sweet treat? Stop by Swensen’s for a scoop of ice cream then saunter up to nearby George Sterling Park, where you can enjoy the sight of Lombard Street’s curves and turns.
Driveaway
Head down Highway 1 with your partner while playing your song on full blast in the car. Once you get to Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay, be sure to stop for their delectable lobster rolls. You can enjoy them by the fire pit on the deck, or take out these sandwiches so that you savor them while feeling the sand beneath your toes.
Go for a spin in Hayward and hit Taqueria Senaida’s, which is a drive-thru institution. Order as many hard-shell tacos as you want.
Delicious delivery
Yes, you can feast on oysters from the safety and comfort of your own home. Place your order at the legendary Swan Oyster Depot by calling (415) 673-1101. They can deliver tasty seafood treats like a dozen mixed oysters, smoked salmon, and crab salad.
For a Guamanian experience, order oxtail kadu, beef and potato empanada, and red rice from Prubechu, which has the distinction of being San Francisco’s only Guamainian restaurant. Their ribs and sweet rolls are also worth trying.
A quiet outdoor meal
Head to the elegant French bistro L’Ardoise, where you can sit at outdoor tables beneath the trees. Exchange sweet nothings over the duck confit, rack of lamb, and tiger prawn ravioli. Wash it all down with a bottle of Côtes du Rhône.
Bix is famous for its martinis, so bring your date and have a drink while savoring potato pillows with caviar and creme fraiche, crab cakes, and steak tartare. Save some room for their Bananas Foster.
For an unpretentious night out, head to Brazen Head in Cow Hollow. It feels just like your neighborhood pub, but now they have outdoor picnic tables where you can dig into a prime rib with Caesar salad. Go back for the short ribs and the filet mignon.
Is your date craving Chinese food? Drop by Mister Jiu’s in Chinatown, where you can dine on a large duck platter, steak fried rice, and silken tofu.
Drink and dine
For those looking for adventurous drinks, Curio in Mission is right up your alley. Choose from a Mermaid Sphinx, Banshee, and Chupacabra. Pair your drinks with the jackalope, braised ribs, and potato string fries.
Savor more smooth cocktails at Beretta, where you can order a Nuestra Paloma, a Lonsdale, or a whiskey cocktail. Try the sumptuous Dungeness crab arancini or the tender lamb shank while you’re there.
You can order a Vampiro to go at Elda at Mission, but why not stay and have a Desert Drifter with your partner? The mix of tequila, strawberry-sage shrub, lemon, and soda will go down easily, especially when you’ve also ordered a milk bread fried chicken sandwich with chamoy. Elda’s specializes in the flavors of Mexico and Latin America.
If you’ve never had a frosé (frozen rosé) it’s time to impress your date and bring them to The Dorian, which specializes in whiskey and craft cocktails, along with classic American fare. There are oysters and truffle fries that will perfectly complement the frosé.
For more information on life in San Francisco as well as real estate advice, contact Nina Hatvany and her team of experienced San Francisco Realtors at 415.710.6462. You can also send an email to team(at)teamhatvany(dotted)com.