Heretical query: SF wine bars other than Terroir

T

Thor

Thor Iverson
Some French relatives are visiting SF for about a week, and while I will force them to go to Terroir (which I'm pretty sure they'll love), what's the current story on the city's other wine bars? Anything worthwhile (aside from the "wine bar" otherwise known as Slanted Door's bar)? They're casual types, so wouldn't enjoy anything hip, swanky, or overtly Marina-ish...and they're not geeks, though they do like their wine. Bonus points for anyone serving a particularly interesting selection of non-French wines by the glass. Double bonus points for anyone serving worthwhile noshes with said wine.

Thanks in advance.
 
Didn't I hear rumblings from the Bay Area crowd that a bunch of these places opened up as soon as I left?

Or was that just in the East Bay?

Will your relatives be bold enough to venture across the bay?
 
I don't know. They're wanderers, but they're unlikely to cross the city just to go to a wine bar or restaurant without a really compelling reason (hence the request for locations other than Terroir's, which is near...not a lot), so I doubt they'll cross the bay to do it either. My experience is that if it requires an effort to get somewhere, they're more likely to ignore recommendations and stop in at whatever's nearby. So if they're in the East Bay, then they'll want something nearby (and I'm sending them some restaurants over there), but I doubt they'd leave SF just to eat or drink, given the available options.
 
I'd certainly go to Csar, but I can walk there, so maybe that's too easy. CAV, next to Zuni, usually has some decent things. When are you coming?
 
Me? Sadly, not soon. I'm just sending my relatives some recommendations. They'll be there in about a week or so, which qualifies as extreme advance-planning for them.
 
There are restaurants with bars and good lists. It's a little bit of a flashback to Terroir, but consider Chez Spencer. They have a nice bar, and wine that resembles Terroir's, although with different selections btg. vg med-high end chow. Of course, they also operate the French taco truck that parks across Folsom St. from Terroir, so there is a bit of a resemblence.

Too bad the list at Zuni isn't better, that's a great copper bar they have.

I don't go to Arlequin much, but they have btg opportunities. I've only been there at hours where there wouldn't be much action, and it may be a little fancy, so who knows.

Anyhow, there are a couple of not amazing ideas.

ETA: The Terroir guys (Dagan, maybe?) have a hand in the list at Chez Spencer, so no surprise that the list is similar. Dagan used to work at CS.
 
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:

originally posted by SFJoe: French taco truck
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

truck.jpg


truck2.jpg
 
Thanks, Joe.

Re: French tacos, I was just reading about that on Terroir's site. Great idea. I'm a little surprised its legal, but c'mon...how awesome is that menu?
 
originally posted by Thor:
Thanks, Joe.

Re: French tacos, I was just reading about that on Terroir's site. Great idea. I'm a little surprised its legal, but c'mon...how awesome is that menu?
Click to expand...
It's probably closer to legal than the charcuterie operation they have going. Sssssssssh.
 
Yield on 3rd and 22nd is an pleasant space early in the evening before it gets crowded. Their list isn't stellar in my opinion, but for the guests you describe, it would be fine. They offer a few bites, and the ones I've tried have been tasty but not substantial. However, it does have the distinct advantage of being literally across the street from Serpentine.
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
originally posted by Thor:
Thanks, Joe.

Re: French tacos, I was just reading about that on Terroir's site. Great idea. I'm a little surprised its legal, but c'mon...how awesome is that menu?
Click to expand...
It's probably closer to legal than the charcuterie operation they have going. Sssssssssh.
Click to expand...

Did you try some of their Durham special?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top