| Bars Articles |
 |
Seeing is Believing I’m not sure if it was my mild claustrophobia or the prospect of soiling the sequined evening gown I foolishly chose to don that evening, but I was feeling more than a little apprehensive as I walked down the narrow staircase into the Crimson Lounge, which doffs its red cape every Thursday through Saturday night and becomes Opaque “Dining in the Dark". It’s a dining experience like no other that may indicate a sea change in the epicurean raison d’etre -- it also requires a dollop of courage and maybe a few extra napkins. |
 |
Burma Superstar’s Sibling Shines Opened in 2007 just down the street from its sibling restaurant, the ever-popular Burma Superstar, B Star Bar brings a more casual, contemporary sensibility in both food and design to Clement Street. This is the place to go when you’re looking for a good, low-key meal and a friendly atmosphere to catch up with a few friends. |
 |
Less hippie, more hip After months of renovations, Magnolia, the 10-year old pub and brewery in the Upper Haight, re-opened in summer 2008 with a dramatic facelift and brand-new menu. The new Magnolia is vintage hip, with antique-looking fixtures, a communal table, a reclaimed wood bar, and even faux water stains. |
 |
Defining the “Drink Kitchen” Tablespoon has undergone a change of identity. The sleek, minimalist dining destination has been reinvented — with a bit more edge — into what’s been dubbed a “drink kitchen.” Bar Johnny is a place to stop in for handcrafted cocktails and simple, munchable comfort food executed with flair. |
 |
Cold Craft Beer at New Mission Hot Spot Opened in December 2007, The Monk’s Kettle replaces a string of mediocre restaurant ventures at the (some would say cursed) corner of 16th and Albion. Despite a few missteps by staff and kitchen, its mid- to high-end "craft beer and wine tavern" concept is flourishing; with only eight tables and limited seating at the bar, the restaurant fills up quickly, with quite a wait at the door. |
 |
No Invitation Required Everyone loves the idea of a “neighborhood” restaurant -- that little gem just down the street where you can almost always snag a table and run into someone you know. In San Francisco, or in any city for that matter, the concept seems to mostly be just that: a concept. In the case of Bar Jules however, chef/owner Jessica Boncutter seems to have created a true neighborhood spot. |
 |
Down Under Dining Spices Up the City One might wonder what defines New Zealand or Australian cuisine if one had never been to either place. But when I heard South was opening, with its “down under" concept, I began reminiscing about my visits to these beautiful and bountiful destinations for food and wine. I dreamt of barramundi (a delicious white fish that balances delicate flavor with meatiness), local produce, and lots of lamb and beef -- with an Asian undercurrent -- paired with delicious native wines that have quickly gained status in recent years. |
More Bars Articles |
Copyright 2010 SF Station: A City Guide by Boulevards. All rights reserved.
