Ginger, here, working from the West Coast this week and wanting to share some of the local restaurants, perfect for private dinners or buy-outs:
A16 - 2355 Chestnut Street: It’s only fair that the best should be listed first. This Neapolitan Italian spot in the Marina District delivered a delightful arugula and fennel salad and comforting chicken sausage meatballs and ragu maccaronara (hand-made, thick spaghetti). The atmosphere was upbeat with stylishly dressed patrons, a more casual dining area in the front bar and a chef’s table available near the seating in the back of the restaurant.
Betelnut - 2030 Union Street: Located in the neighborhood Cow Hollow (named after the animals that used to graze there but now a different type of mammal frequents the area), this pan-Asian place is consistently packed with a friendly crowd. The family-style dishes would please a casual crew for a private event in a section – or the entire – restaurant. The best part is the authenticity of the food. According to our table-side chef, the sea bass “cha ca la vong” is a recipe from a restaurant in Hanoi that makes only the one dish and that gave the owner permission to duplicate.
Bistro Boudin - 160 Jefferson Street: Awaking on New York time, we arrived to Fisherman’s Wharf before the restaurant opened and enjoyed the toasted sourdough bread available at the downstairs cafe and market vowing to return for the bread bowls served at the restaurant.
Delarosa - 2175 Chestnut Street: In an effort to cover the Napoletana ragu spectrum on Chesnut Street, we sampled Delarosa’s version and found it just as satifying as A16’s. Best of all was the bench seating, inviting us to share our experience with our neighbors, a young, stylish couple and a mother and her sweet, elementary-school-age son. By the end of the evening, we were laughing about dipping into each other’s meals next time.
California Wine Merchant - 2113 Chesnut Street: A tiny tasting bar perfect for a 40 person cocktail party opens onto the street and serves a delectable variety of local wines and a few imports.
Nick’s Crispy Tacos - 1500 Broadway: Sombreros and serapes are nowhere to be found at this chandelier and red velvet lounge serving a crowd of twenty-somethings, especially on $2 Taco Tuesdays. Go early to beat the crowd for some of the best tacos outside the Mission.
Paradise Bay - 1200 Bridgeway: More Father’s Day-friendly then tourist trap, this waterfront restaurant in Sausalito is a perfect place to refresh after a ride over the Golden Gate bridge. Classic California seafood dishes like shrimp and avocado and Ahi tuna are paired with house-made sauces and salads that satisfy.