The COVID-19 pandemic may have put a damper on the restaurant industry last year, but that should not mean that your appetite for gourmet cuisine has to be put on hold, as well.
The good news is that the Bay Area is never lacking in exquisite dining options. Whether you are clamoring for the classic dine-in experience or planning to indulge in San Francisco’s best food in the comfort of your own home, there are always plenty of options with more than 40 Michelin-starred restaurants in the area (as of October 2020).
Here are seven places in the Bay Area that will satisfy your sophisticated palate even during the pandemic:
The French Laundry
6640 Washington Street, Yountville
Offering one of the most exclusive fine dining experiences in the San Francisco Bay Area today, Thomas Keller’s highly touted Yountville restaurant is housed in a gorgeous, half-a-century-old building that exhibits the North Bay’s lavish natural surroundings to the fullest. It serves two tasting menus daily, as well as a fine selection of wines and spirits.
The French Laundry is open all throughout the week. Guests can make reservations for The Board Room (starting at $450 per person), the Outside Dining Room ($350 per person), and the remarkable Courtyard ($450 per person).
Gozu
201 Spear Street, San Francisco
Specializing in Wagyu beef, this restaurant brings Japan’s robata (short-form for robatayaki, which means “fireside cooking”) tradition of food preparation to the delight of foodies across the Bay Area.
The restaurant has reopened to offer indoor seating, as well as al fresco dining experiences with konro grills set up outside for guests’ use. Gozu is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Bento boxes can also be ordered online for either pickup or delivery.
Lazy Bear
3416 19th Street, San Francisco
Located in the Mission District, Lazy Bear is committed to maintaining a fun vibe, even in the midst of our less-than-ideal status quo. For 2021, this “modern American dinner party” destination promises to keep the fun low-key while still delivering “one of the most distinctive dining experiences anywhere.”
Reservations for this restaurant’s outdoor tasting menu can be made by buying tickets, much like one would for a live concert or a sporting event. Lazy Bear is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m. through 8:30 p.m.
Lord Stanley
2065 Polk Street, San Francisco
Serving its signature brand of Californian-European bistro fare through pickup or delivery options, Lord Stanley has been a godsend for Bay Area residents who crave gourmet cooking.
Lord Stanley offers a wide variety of takeout options, including special-themed menus designed for special occasions, such as the recent Valentine’s Day and Super Bowl LV festivities. Meanwhile, the Bistro Stanley daily menu and the Prix-Fixe Lunch menu are satisfying staples that you can enjoy whenever you please.
Marlena
300 Precita Avenue, San Francisco
When you are bold enough to open a new restaurant in the middle of a pandemic, you know you have something outstanding to offer. This is exactly the case with Michelin-starred culinary power couple David Fisher and Serena Chow Fisher and their restaurant, Marlena.
Recently reopened to accommodate guests for outdoor dining (by reservation), Marlena offers a 55-dollar four-course tasting menu, as well as a selection of curated picnic baskets that you can enjoy at the nearby Precita Park.
San Ho Won
2170 Bryant Street, San Francisco
Where the pandemic created obstacles and complications for the restaurant industry, Benu’s top chef Corey Lee saw a sparkling opportunity. Because his plans to open a new Korean charcoal barbecue restaurant last summer were sidetracked by lockdowns and social distancing measures, he pivoted toward a takeout-only operation instead.
The result is one of the Bay Area’s most promising new culinary favorites. Using Benu as its test kitchen and delivery or pickup point, San Ho Won today offers a must-try five-course traditional Korean meal at a steal of a price below $50.
Quince at the Farm
3416 19th Street, San Francisco
A meal at Quince promises to be the perfect pandemic getaway. Currently partnering with Hudson Ranch in Napa, CA, your luxurious meal might be an hour’s drive away from San Francisco, but it guarantees one of the most unforgettable and immersive dining experiences you will ever enjoy. You can also visit Quince’s Fresh Run Farm in Bolinas, CA for a similar experience.
For a $395 reservation, not only can you enjoy genuinely farm-fresh delights from Quince’s seasonal menu, you can also take in your fill of the freshest air that a coastal farm can offer.
For more information about the high-end San Francisco Bay Area lifestyle, contact Nina Hatvany and the experts at Team Hatvany. Discover the finest luxury properties that this coveted real estate market has to offer by calling 415.710.6462 or emailing team(at)teamhatvany(dotted)com.