Ring the outside buzzer and in true speakeasy fashion, only the right password “books” uttered at the front door gains entry into the secretive library back bar in this Tenderloin gem. Once inside, whisk past the secret passageway door that doubles as a bookshelf, and you’ll find yourself at a dimly lit bar surrounded by floor to ceiling shelves full of books. Fully stocked with some of the best liquors around for making some distinctively tasty libations, Bourbon and Branch prides itself on making drinks only with fruit juice squeezed by hand, purees and extracts made in-house, and mixers that do not come from a tap. Adding to its authenticity, this establishment operated as a real speakeasy from 1921 to 1933. Per their web site, the term speakeasy was coined from the manner a patron would order a drink without raising suspicion, behaving quietly and speaking easy. The Branch in this place’s name refers to the term branch water, which was used in the 1800s to refer to pure clean water from a tiny stream called a branch. A bourbon and branch was basically the request for a bourbon and water.

Reservations are required for drinks in the main bar, but the rear bar is open anytime without having to call ahead. The JJ Russell room is a secret basement bar that can be rented for special events. During prohibition times, patrons would have to order a special brand of cigar for a trap door to open that would lead to the downstairs bar. Connected to this room are five secret exit tunnels that are still in effect today, allowing for a quick underground escape to various streets close by. With its dim lights, old aromas that seem to be ingrained in the wood, and the old records playing in the background, drinks here truly feel like a time warp to a much different era. Just be sure to review the strict house rules before visiting as cell phone use, taking pictures, and ordering cosmopolitans are definite no-nos. |Bourbon & Branch|

Hours of Operation:
Wed-Sat: 6pm-2am

Not far from the skyscrapers that dot along the Financial District, Rickhouse is a trendy saloon that’s perfect for discerning drinkers looking for a tasty libation after a long day at the office. From the outside, this place sorta looks like an over-sized oak barrel, while the interior is a mix between an old seafaring vessel and dimly lit speakeasy. Specialties include their list of artisanal cocktails like their La Bon Vie (Plymouth, fresh lemon and grapefruit juice, fresh basil, and bitters), spirits, local beers and boutique California wines. |Rickhouse|

Hours of Operation:
Mon: 5pm – 2am
Tues-Fri: 1pm – 2am
Sat: 6pm – 2am
Sun: Closed

Part gastropub, part speakeasy, Tipsy Pig is a popular destination on Chestnut Street for crafted cocktails, comfort food bites, and the usual good looking Marina scenery. Most nights there’s quite a crowd that gathers here, which can make the dining room a bit noisy for intimate dinner conversation. For warm weather outings, the rear patio tables are a coveted spot for evening drinks and weekend brunches.

The food menu at Tipsy Pig features items like smoked bacon mac & cheese, Chimay-braised pulled pork sliders with red cabbage slaw on Hawaiian sweet buns, BBQ baby back ribs, chicken pot pie, fried-green tomatoes, and even deviled eggs. For those looking for something a bit lighter/healthy, house made pasta and a few salads are also offered. Dinner is served nightly until 10pm to 11pm. The weekend brunch menu features items like French toast, egg scrambles, huevos rancheros, and sandwiches such as a pulled pork Sloppy Joe, their Tipsy Burger, and Wild Alaskan Halibut sandwich.

The cocktail menu is awash with drinks containing fancy liquors like Le Tourment Vert Absinthe, Harlem, Aperol, and Old Overholt Rye just to name a few. For those that prefer sweet over dry, Strawberry Fields is a must try, which contains vodka, fresh strawberries, fresh lime, simple syrup, and soda, served in a Mason jar. Their Moscow Mule, Pickwick Julep, and classic Greyhound are also worth sampling, not to mention their Drakes Woodworm, which contains Absinthe and St Germain Elderflower liquor. |Tipsy Pig|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 5pm – 2am
Sat-Sun: 11am – 2am

Before Tacolicious opened up shop in early 2010, options in the Marina district used to be pretty much non-existent for delicious Mexican fare served in a clean and modern setting. What started out as a mobile taco stand at the |Ferry Building Farmer’s Market| on Thursdays, has since moved up to permanent digs on Chestnut Street. A perfect setting for a casual meal, the interior feels open and airy with the large street-facing windows often opened up during clear days. The interior is a mix of brightly painted walls, contrasted by wooden surfaces and paneling, and accented by unique artwork such as an over-sized painting of a Tapatio bottle.

The menu features mostly farm-fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients, and includes six varieties of tacos that can be ordered individually, mixed and matched in quantities of four, or as a platter of ten. Varieties include their fried local rock cod, carnitas, braised beef short rib, house-made chorizo and potato, filet mignon, braised Petaluma chicken, and their vegetarian option of summer squash with corn, market peppers and chard. Other popular menu items include an albacore tuna tostada, shrimp ceviche, pork ribs, taquitos, and a chili con queso dip. Meals begin with servings of their freshly made tortilla chips and delicious house-made salsas, which go perfectly with their selection of Mexican beers, wine, freshly-squeezed margaritas, and over 50 varieties of Tequila and a few Mezcals. Non-alcoholic options include their house-made aqua frescas. For dessert, options include a mango sorbet, flan, pan con chocolate, and churros. |Tacolicious|

Hours of Operation:
Sun-Wed: 11:30am – 11pm
Thurs-Sat: 11:30am – Midnight

When in the Mission district and the mood calls for some mouth watering Neapolitan thin-crust pizzas, contemporary Italian comfort food, and inventive cocktails, Beretta is a must try. The dimly lit upstairs is often brimming with diners packed into tight tables adjacent to the bar area, with some tables offering views of the open kitchen at the rear of the restaurant. For large groups, their set menu options in their private dining room downstairs are reasonably priced for the amount of food they provide and allow diners to sample some of their most popular menu items.

Their selection of pizzas offer a lot of variety that should appeal to any palate, and with options to add burrata, or even an egg as a topping should be reason enough to visit. Notable favorite dishes include their bruschette of fava bean and pecorino, eggplant caponatina with burrata, risotto with prosciutto, leeks and goat cheese, and their arugula and fennel salad with shaved parmesan. The meat antipasti mixed plate was fantastic, and is probably one of the best I’ve had in the city. Specials rotate on a daily basis and repeat visits are definitely required to sample their large menu of courses. |Beretta|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 5:30 pm – 1 am
Sat-Sun: 11 am – 1 am (bar open late)

Quite possibly the oldest saloon established in San Francisco, the Old Ship Saloon is a Jackson Square landmark that’s been in business since the three-masted boat named the Arkansas was beached here back in 1851. At inception, a door was merely cut directly into the hull of the boat to convert the ship into an ale house. Over time the ship was replaced with a brick and mortar building that functioned as a hotel, which still operated the Old Ship Saloon in a barroom on the ground floor.

The Old Ship Saloon is a popular place for the Financial District work crowd to stop in for lunch and is often filled with patrons having drinks following a long day at the office. I love the classic look of the exposed brick and black trim interior, the nautical design touches, and the large front windows that offer diners a view of the Pyramid building. The menu is a mix of fried foods, salads and chili, but their specialty would have to be their selection of customizable burgers and sandwiches. |Old Ship Saloon|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 11:30am – 3pm, 4:30pm – 12am,
Kitchen closes at 9pm
Sat-Sun: Closed

Named after the natural stimulant that is quite popular in Southeast Asia, Betelnut’s menu of contemporary Asian dishes and selection of crafted cocktails may evoke a similar reaction of mild hot sensations in the body and slightly heightened alertness to one’s surroundings. Located right along Union Street, the street facing windows are often opened up on warm days to encourage people watching while dining and drinking. The interior of this restaurant has one of the cooler Asian-inspired designs, similar in theme to a beer house found in places like Singapore. Design touches from the wooden Chinese paddles nailed to the wall, the sprinkler pipes painted to look like bamboo and the wall art posters all help transport diners far from its Cow Hollow locale.

Betelnut takes a contemporary approach to more traditional dishes from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and China. Their selection of appetizers go great with beer or their list of specialty cocktails. Personal favorites include the dishes pictured below along with the glazed pork short ribs, their noodle dishes, and the fried Red Snapper that is served whole.|Betelnut|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Thurs: 11:30am-11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-12am
Sun: 11:30am-11pm

From the owners of Beretta comes Delarosa, a modern Italian restaurant that’s conveniently located on Chestnut Street in the Marina district. Though the signage looks more at home on a stainless steel Italian espresso machine, the interior is warm and inviting, with its share of high top communal tables encouraging conversation amongst diners.

Chef Ruggero Gadaldi’s menu features a mix of antipasti, salads, pastas, and Roman style pizzas, all complimented by a large selection of draft beers, wines and cocktails. Best of all, Delarosa is open late until 1 am most nights and also has a weekend brunch perfect for some daytime drinks. |Delarosa|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 11am – 1am
Sat & Sun Brunch: 11am – 4pm

One of my favorite restaurants in the Mission for its sleek and modern design, Farina’s ambiance is so inviting it just exudes cool. The curved curtain of glass that wraps around the frontage is beautiful yet functional, able to slide fully open to allow the breeze to circulate through. Skylights help keep the space bright with natural light, while the comfortable designer furniture helps to define the setting.

Chef Paolo Laboa relies on seasonal and fresh ingredients to bring out the best from his rustic yet elegant dishes influenced from his upbringing in Liguria, Italy. Freshly prepared pastas with their signature Genovese Pesto is a popular favorite here, as well as their Neapolitan pizzas. With so many delicious choices, it’s always fun to sample a bit of everything, just leave room for some of their amazing desserts. |Farina|

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Thurs: 5:30pm-10pm
Fri-Sat: 5pm-10pm
Sun: 9am-3pm, 5pm-10pm

If a night at the theater is in your plans, then so should drinks and dinner at Jardinière. Conveniently located across the street from both the War Memorial Opera house and the Davies Symphony Hall, it is a perfect place to come for a cocktail and a bite to eat before a show.

For my last visit, I found myself at the self-seating section called the J Lounge, prior to seeing the San Francisco Ballet’s production of Romeo & Juliet. The lounge is on the first floor of the restaurant, surrounding the beautifully ornamented bar, and offers a smaller version of the menu as well as an array of festive cocktails. There is also a curtained off area available for private events. The beautiful, curved staircase leads to the main dining room, which overlooks the lounge area. If you’re in the mood for a fun cocktail, be sure to try one of Jardinière’s original concoctions. For dessert, my favorite is the Bonne Bouche Platter, which comes with a variety of cookies, cakes and tarts. A bit of a warning though, dining here can get a bit pricey. |Jardiniere|

Open 7 days a week:
Sun-Mon: 5pm–10pm
Tues-Sat: 5pm-10:30pm