Paella and tapas from Michael Chiarello

Coqueta

Spanish for what you're doing when you tell a girl at a bar you really like the way she fills out her shoes flirt, Coqueta is the latest from Top Chef Masters vet Michael Chiarello, an Embarcadero gem set in the old Lafitte space with seating for 56 in school chairs that're covered in authentic bullfighting hides complete with branding numbers.The historic interior and its 18ft ceilings have been renovated to show off the original giant wooden columns, plus Venetian plaster walls that have been etched with things like pigs and bottles of beer.Keeping with the whole Spanish theme, they've got share plates that are embossed with the appropriate animals (like this bull) and waiters who're wearing not-at-all-humiliating gaucho outfits.The menu, too, is an exploration of Spanish and Basque, mainly focused on tapas portions (which you can enjoy at the 10-seat tapas bar). Must-gets include these Tattas Bravas, which're either potatoes w/ a spicy tomato sauce or what Spanish dudes shouted during the Janet Jackson Super Bowl performance.Plus, they've got a glass-enclosed outdoor area mainly devoted to walk-ins. It's got a bar for cocktails (like the one above) and on-tap sangria (yesssss), plus a pretty nice view the girl sitting next to you can check out just as soon as she replies to your pants party invitation.Last two photos courtesy of Coqueta

Wall etchings at Coqueta
Bull plate at Coqueta
Tattas Bravas at Coqueta
Grilled leeks at Coqueta