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Cutting-edge décor, creative food, pedigreed chef, and see-and-be-seen ambience combined with A-list clientele gives these Best Trendy Tables the elusive “it” quality that has the in-crowd fighting for reservations.
The Draw: Celeb chef Gastón Acurio does for raw fish what Bobby Flay does for the tamale: elevates it to new levels. Peruvian cebiches, influenced by Japanese, Spanish, and Mexican flavors, anchor the menu, while cooked dishes, such as causas (traditional Peruvian whipped potatoes with seafood or vegetable toppings) and anticuchos (grilled skewers of meat or fish) follow. The Scene: The cool, blue-hued, open space attracts a mix of SoMa loft-dwellers, South Beach transplants, and Mission hipsters, mojitos in hand, looking for new vibes. Hot Tip: There are two bars. Skip the separate anterior space, which is completely removed from the scene, and pull up to the one next to the dining room, where you can mingle with the action coming from the Embarcadero.
The Draw: Though still a work in progress, Nopa—with its friendly vibe and comfortable Mediterranean fare—has already made history. The restaurant-that-could has become one of the city’s trendiest destinations. The Scene: Designer jeans and funky boots rule this urban dining hall, which is always packed with a mix of neighborhood loyalists and hipsters fresh off the 21 bus from the Tenderloin and Hayes Valley. Hot Tip: Hipsters on the party train may consider Nopa too out-of-the-way, but not if you do as Nopans do and make a night of it. The kitchen is open until 1am daily, and the staff is happy to let you linger.
Spruce 3640 Sacramento St., Pacific Heights, 415-931-5100 sprucesf.com
The Draw: Rich cuisine, gracefully efficient wait staff, and a grandiose dining room redefine the neighborhood restaurant. An energetic bar scene holds strong through the work week. The Scene: Break out the Bentley, Daddy Warbucks. Spruce is a playground for SF’s rich and famous—and those who envy them. Expect large parties of affluent scenes-makers dining alongside estate matriarchs and their debutante daughters. At the bar, Pac Heights locals convene for happy hour and burgers, which are among the best in town. Hot Tip: Spruce boasts 100 German Rieslings that pair perfectly with house-made charcuterie and melt-in-your-mouth boudin blanc.
