4 Eating Outposts in San Francisco To Take Your 'The One'!

It's no secret my wife and I love food.  Be it in the safe confines of our home or the Michelin starred restaurants, we always love to experiment with our food.  As a result, we stumbled upon, in our opinion, some of the finest and most beautiful eating outposts in San Francisco.

We would like to share what we think are our Top Four!  Also, what we believe is one does not always need an exquisite place to take your loved one to.  A food truck experience with the right companion can be as memorable as a fine dining experience; a stimulating conversation over a cup of coffee can be as refreshing as blabbering over ice cream and a movie!  So we have avoided using "restaurants" in our title.  You will see why, as you read further.

Another important motivation to write this post was to share such great experiences for non-meat eaters.  We are proud vegetarians and wanted to let fellow vegetarians know what great options you have to relish!

Samovar Tea Lounge & Restaurant


Move over coffee and try Samovar's teas.  One of the best varieties of teas in San Francisco.  Their Moorish Mint green tea, with notes of peppermint, fennel, black pepper and cloves is invigorating.  Club that with their grilled cheese with caramelized onions and you will have a melting pot of flavors in your mouth.

Its contemporary decor is inviting.  But you'll get the biggest bang for your buck by having a seat in their outdoor area.  San Franciscan breeze scintillating your face, Mission district's towers dotting the sky, Yerba Buena Gardens' lush green patterns, and, of course, the people of San Francisco... You can experience and observe all of these while sipping hot tea and having an animated conversation, unless you are lost in the eyes of your companion! :)

Top of the Mark

Ever wondered how would San Francisco look as seen from a bird's eye loitering amidst its skyscrapers?  You can witness that in Top of the Mark: a top floor bar, in InterContinental San Francisco, with amazing view of the city's tallest structures and iconic landmarks.  Sip a drink, shake a leg or just enjoy the breathtaking view crooning and swaying to the live music... you sure are going to have an unforgettable experience.

I was in a mood of whiskey that night, rather than their signature martinis.  But you can try!  Their limited small bites are good companions to your drink in hand.

Gary Danko


Classy, sexy, intriguing and a culinary delight.  Stepping into the restaurant transports you to an elite gathering of immaculately dressed men and women, being served by decorous and refined "hosts and hostesses".  Its ambient interiors and sensuous lighting provides near-perfect setting for a romantic dinner.

The food is as impeccable as you would expect from a Michelin-starrer.  I was floored by their tasting menu carefully crafted for herbivores.  Every course has a bounty of flavors which invigorates all your senses and ignites your culinary imagination.  The impressions of the chef can be seen in the delicate presentation of the food that is being served.  I would not dissect the menu here since it changes every few months.

Reserve a table at Gary Danko for your special occasions... well in advance.

Dandelion Chocolate

Dandelion Chocolate Sampler
The best Hot Chocolate I have ever had.  Period.  The ultra-smooth, ultra-creamy texture and just the right amount of sugar makes it addictive and hard not to binge.  Smaller portions help here though!  Their dessert sampler is exceptionally crafted and beautifully presented.  And it is exactly what its name suggests: "sampler"!  

The real reason why we are big fans of Dandelion is their ingredients: cocoa and sugar.  That's it.  No other substance.  The rich quality of cocoa, and subsequently chocolate, is amply evident.

It is a chic place with a small cafe vibe and can sometimes be loud.  But chocolate itself is not any less romantic.  Is it?

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