May 7, 2008

the tablehopper | 1:00 am | May 7, 2008 | Foodie 411

Alfresco Eats

With spring weather going full tilt, it’s actually possible to start considering some places for outdoor dining without getting blown away. Here are some top picks for outdoor dining in San Francisco, and beyond:

Out in Dogpatch, a local secret is Piccino, where the weather is usually a bit warmer, the Blue Bottle Coffee is always perfect (they even have their own special Piccino blend), and the food is simply delicious. This tiny place (that’s what the name means) is ideal for a lunch outside, but there are heat lamps too, so even on a less-than-perfect day, it’s still comfortable. Don’t miss their farm-fresh salads. Or for breakfast, it’s hard to beat a  frothy cappuccino and a house-baked treat, or one of their tasty pizzas with an egg (or two) on top. Hours are Tue–Fri 7am–9pm, Sat 8am–9pm, Sun 8am–5pm, closed Monday.

• 801 22nd St. at Tennessee, 415-824-4224

Downtown diners are savvy to Café Claude, an ideal spot for a salade nicoise or croque madame for lunch (the steak tartare is also quite special), or for an afternoon bite, like a selection of the scrumptious charcuterie, and a post-work aperitif. There’s also live music (often jazz) and a hopping scene Thu–Sat 7:30pm–10:30pm. Hours are Mon–Sat 11:30am–10:30pm, Sun 5:30pm–10:30pm.

• 7 Claude Lane at Bush, 415-392-3515

Nearby Belden Place is packed during the week for lunch and when the whistle blows after work. On warmer nights, it can be like a little slice of Paris. This one-block alley is filled with mostly European restaurants, from the Catalan fare at B44 (favorites include the squid ink paella and octopus), Italian at Tiramisu and Italian seafood Brindisi Cucina di Mare, French-inspired seafood from Plouf (the mussels here are their trademark), classic American fare and San Francisco seafood from Sam’s Grill (from celery Victor to sand dabs), and French bistro fare and cocktails from Café Bastille.

Who can resist Sunday jazz brunch on the Terrace at the Ritz? Exactly, no one. It’s a bit spendy for brunch ($78), but you definitely get your money’s worth—the array of food is mind-boggling, from caviar to carved meats, smoked salmon to sushi. (You won’t need to eat for the rest of the day.) And the courtyard ambiance is downright leisurely and lovely. Breakfast and lunch are also served each day—with dishes like lobster and eggs, and there’s even a special Japanese breakfast. Breakfast Mon–Sat 6:30am–10:30am, lunch Mon–Sat 11:30am–2:30pm, Sunday brunch 10:30am–2:30pm.

• 600 Stockton St. at California, 415-296-7465

Another weekend brunch ritual, and one of the best patios in the City, is at Foreign Cinema in the Mission. Brunch means egg dishes done right (the balsamic-glazed eggs are particularly wonderful) and don’t resist the seasonal fruit pop tarts. Dinner brings an entirely different vibe, with usually classic films playing on the back wall, and groups of diners at the communal tables, or couples out on date night. The selection of oysters is one of the City’s best, and the pork chop off the California-inspired menu is notably tasty. Hours are Mon–Thu 6pm–10pm, Fri–Sat 6pm–11pm, Sun 6pm–9pm. Brunch is Sat 11am–2:30pm, Sun 11am–3:30pm, and a café menu is served Sat–Sun 3:30pm–6pm.

• 2534 Mission St. at 21st, 415-648-7600

The enclosed patio at Sociale in Laurel Heights is one of the few City places that’s a total outdoor haven, rain or shine, day or night. The umbrellas and heat lamps create a comfortable and quite cozy space, and the charming atmosphere is hard to top. It’s a dream spot for “ladies who lunch,” or a romantic date. It’s also a special space for birthdays. Don’t miss the house specialty of fried olives, the pappardelle, and the asparagus lasagna is pure bliss. Lunch is served Tue–Sat 11:30am–2:30pm, and dinner is Mon–Sat 5:30pm–10pm.

• 665 Sacramento St. at Spruce, 415-921-3200

The Ferry Building Marketplace has a huge variety of fresh air-dining options, including the organic Mexican fare on the patio at Mijita (the chilaquiles on the weekend are stellar), some chowder and crab Louie from Ferry Plaza Seafood, sparkling fresh oysters from Hog Island Oyster Company (pssssst—their grilled cheese sandwich is the local secret), the ever-packed Slanted Door for upscale Vietnamese, or some gourmand fare from Boulette’s Larder (a lovely place for lunch, and the famed beignets on Sundays). On the Embarcadero side, it’s hard to resist a burger and hefty onion rings from Taylor’s Automatic Refresher (wash it all down with a hand-scooped milkshake), or enjoy a meal on the spacious patio at neighboring MarketBar—both of these places are also perfect for happy hour.

For those heading up to wine country, etoile at Domaine Chandon is already known for their upscale dining, but they will also be having oysters on their spacious patio every weekend throughout the summer. There is a range of events, from the Bubble Ball on June 5th, to winemaker dinners once a month—there’s always something interesting going on. You can view their other upcoming events here.

• 1 California Dr., Yountville, 800-736-2892

Other places known for outdoor dining in wine country include the upscale Auberge du Soleil, Brix, FARM at the Carneros Inn, Angèle Restaurant & Bar has a patio along the Napa River, Tra Vigne has a gorgeous patio (great for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch), Bistro Don Giovanni is known for their terraces (and their Italian fare), and another winning restaurant with an outdoor patio (and bistro in its name) is Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. And a cute and secluded patio can be found at Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena—it’s full of flowers in bloom. As of May 15th, the patio of Pawlcyn’s newest sister restaurant, Go Fish, will offer weekly acoustic contemporary and blues music every Thursday night, plus a misting system to keep patrons cool. For the Fourth of July holiday, Go Fish will fire up the grill on the pet-friendly patio, with an all-inclusive menu and blowout celebration for what promises to be an annual event in St. Helena. 

Marcia Gagliardi writes a popular weekly e-column about the SF dining scene, “the tablehopper.” Subscribe for free at www.tablehopper.com and get it in your inbox every Tuesday.