New feeling: Chef Robbie Wilson brings a fashionable and you may cool temper – and you may enthusiastic focus on detail – to that the downtown area bistro

seven. Bird-dog, Palo Alto

Black stainless-steel silverware, a head out-of papier-mache birds clinging regarding roof, and even the latest have to-discover toilet, featuring its surprising soundtrack, offers restaurants a great deal to share -also with the most awkward out of basic times. Additionally there is much to express throughout the Wilson’s creative eating plan composed of an unlikely mixture of around the globe products put along with her when you look at the juicy and you may unforeseen means, like the common deep-fried chicken leg ($23) that have environmentally friendly curry and you may uni.

You need to generate reservations, however, spur-of-the-time products can also be joyfully ticket time in new bar and lounge urban area, taking some of the craftiest cocktails as much as.

The bowl: You will not glance at an enthusiastic avocado the same way once more shortly after seeking Bird Pet’s effortless but joyous grilled avocado ($14), per half filled that have a tangy domestic-produced ponzu. A starter away from tai snapper ($18) is nearly also beautiful to eat, nevertheless passionate combination of tastes and textures – lime, pecan, and you can chiles- ensures that dismantling it can produce sheer bliss.

8. August 1 Five, San francisco

The spirits: Ex-Googler Hetal Shah’s modern Indian eatery has actually an unquestionable sexiness, regarding shimmery teal velvet stands toward room sight regarding the giant Maharaja with the wall surface. Due to the fact starting from inside the November, August step 1 Five has given Civic Cardio just what it frantically expected: a romantic date-nights worthwhile restaurant to have post- otherwise preshow restaurants. Slip into one particular sleek booths to have an enthusiastic appetizer out of the little bites eating plan ($8-$15), instance crispy palak chaat ($10) which have a great turmeric lassi (black rum, hobbies fruits, kefir, $12), otherwise sit getting a spicy, personal restaurants under the dark lighting.

New unique living area away from August 1 Five brings diners, just arts mavens, so you can San Francisco’s Civic Cardio. (Aric Crabb/Bay area Development Classification)

The brand new pan: Food the following is committed and you can understated. Actually fiery pepper poultry ($15) try served atop one particular precious grain and you can lentil crepes. You really need to have your order of chicken, additionally the innovative gol guppa flight ($8), tasting seas given crispy grain shells packed with chaat masala and potato. Put. Crunch. Burst.

9. Farmer’s Almanac, Danville

The state of mind: It is all regarding ranch-fresh fare at the lovely Almanac, in which cook Tim Humphrey provides with the just about any top. The eatery comes with all accouterments of a modern restaurant, on disappointed wood, dishtowel napkins and you can industrial chair into the soil rock deck aside side, and that pulls happier restaurant crowds during the hot weather. This new dining area try black and you can moody, which have plush banquettes, want drapes and you will an attractive pendant in the foyer one whispers romance.

New pan: The brand new diet plan transform into seasons, so the Burrata Toast ($12) which you absolutely need to order- toasted brioche which have creamy Di Stefano burrata – could be topped having a keen English pea salad and you will papers-narrow country ham, otherwise arugula, figs and you will fresh plant life. Do not miss out the scallion hush dogs ($8), both. And you can who much better than a florida chef to complete gulf of mexico shrimp having pappardelle ($22)?

ten. Din Tai Fung, Santa Clara

Brand new disposition: The fresh Southern Bay’s preferred dumpling home tends to make an amazing very first-go out interest – way more stylish than warm-romantic. Don’t allow the fresh shopping center location discourage your. There is a show when you waiting, watching the latest dumpling pros complete slim wrappers with pork and you can pleat for each and every xiao much time bao (XLB) dumpling 18 minutes. Which modern bistro is easy and you may sexy, which have gray record tile, timber accessories and you will an enormous pub under a beneficial cherry blossom-decorated lantern. Those individuals bar seating was available in the place of bookings, although you will probably need certainly to wait a bit for a perch.