By Andrew Jones
San Francisco offers lots of opportunities for a "girl's night out."
Amongst wild birds it has been noted that the most splendid plumage is reserved for males. Male birds with the most colorful, stylized, eye-catching feathers are the most likely to attract a mate. Similar standards are applicable when sorting out standard, everyday restaurants from girls' night out restaurants. Relaxed, fashionable, intimate, maybe staffed with particularly handsome waiters; these qualities define any restaurant worthy of a girls' night out.
Ryoko's Japanese Restaurant and Bar
Cheap and delicious cocktails are certainly a bonus for any girls' night out. Ryoko's has as many varieties of cocktail as it has types of sushi, and it certainly doesn't skimp on the liquor. The dance music is pumping on weekends and the atmosphere resembles that of a club more than a restaurant. That isn't to say it doesn't know its food. The sushi is traditional Japanese fare. The sashimi is tender and melts in your mouth, and its list of specialty rolls is awe inspiring. The volcano rolls are a bit pricey, but frugality goes by the wayside as soon as one of the scrumptious, spicy morsels touches your tongue. The mix of cocktails, music and superb sushi is a surefire way to give a girls' night out a banging start. Ryoko's is open until 2 a.m., so if some of the nearby clubs and bars pale in comparison you can always come back for more.
Ryoko's Japanese Restaurant and Bar
619 Taylor St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 775-1028
ryokos.com
E'Tutto Qua
North beach also is known as Little Italy, so it goes without saying that the folks who live there know their Italian food. E'Tutto Qua opened its doors in 2007 and entered a market rife with institutionalized restaurants that had been calling the neighborhood their own for decades. Luckily it didn't take long for this little upstart to make an impression. The intimate venue serves delicious variations on traditional Italian food, without losing any of the delicacy or flair. The price fairly reflects the quality of the food; the grilled lamb chops with Italian herbs will make your toes curl. The wine list is extensive and the waitstaff is knowledgeable, not to mention handsome and well coiffed. E'Tutto Qua is a novel, memorable experience, one so good that you might tell your grandkids about it someday. Share a night with the girls here over a bottle of wine and a plate of lightly battered zucchini and then move on to the many clubs and bars that populate North Beach's neon glowing streets.
E'Tutto Qua
270 Columbus Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 989-1002
etuttoqua.com
Outerlands
The Outer Sunset sees less foot traffic than the more touristy areas which lends the ocean side district an aura of cool, calm and romantic. Outerlands is a comfortable, intimate restaurant located a few blocks from Ocean Beach. The goal of a lot of the food here is to return to the diner a bit of the warmth that has probably been compromised by the cold, salty breeze coming off of the nearby ocean. The menu is California chic, which means lots of seafood and sandwiches. The goat cheese soufflé is a unique, light dish with a complex flavor that reveals itself in turns, like a French wine. Dinner at the Outerlands is an intimate experience, good for catching up with close friends and getting to better know new ones. A trip to the nearby beach is a sure-fire way to continue the merriment long into the night.
Outerlands
4001 Judah
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 661-6140
outerlandssf.com
About the Author:
A music writer, Andrew Jones has been writing professionally since 2008. His work has appeared in various print and online publications, including "Covers" and the "LA Weekly."
Photo Credits:
san diego harbor,san diego,harbor,california,conve image by Earl Robbins from
Fotolia.com
