Spruce

Spruce is a bit of an anomaly in San Francisco in that it’s one of only a handful of restaurants where you’ll see people wearing formal jackets, dresses, and heels. That’s most likely because of its location in Presidio Heights, just blocks away from multimillion-dollar mansions, but also because of the elegant space with its dark wood, studded leather chairs, and cathedral-style ceilings. And while Spruce is definitely popular with an older crowd, it’s still a great place to go on a date when you want to ensure more dates with that special someone happen in the future. Still getting to know each other? Find a spot in the lounge where you can order from a limited menu that features two of our favorite dishes at the restaurant: a burger on a housemade English muffin and a French omelet with seasonal ingredients.
How to book: Walk-ins are welcome (bar seating is first come, first served), but reservations are recommended for the dining room. You can reserve a table online.

One of the grande dames of San Francisco’s restaurant world, Spruce somehow manages to be both a special occasion-worthy destination and cozy neighborhood gem all at once. It’s also an excellent place for a party, with three private dining spaces with capacity ranging from 12 to 40, and prix-fixe menus available for brunch, lunch, and dinner. And, should your party be 10 or fewer, you can have the famous Spruce burger on your menu. Now that we think about it, that burger and a cocktail at Spruce’s delightful bar is a fine way to celebrate just about anything, anytime.
How to book: Call 415-931-5115 or email events@sprucesf.com to reserve.

It used to be thought that $22 was an outrageous price for a burger, but then along came the Spruce Burger, made with a blend of brisket, sirloin, and short rib that’s ground in-house every day, and topped with pickled red onion, pickled zucchini, tomato, and a caper remoulade, and suddenly $22 felt completely reasonable. The thing that really sets this burger apart from all of the others is the bun: a buttered English muffin made in-house that provides just the right bread to burger ratio. Oh, and the fries (which come with the burger, as they should for $22) are fried in duck fat and oh so very damn good. FYI: This burger is only on the bar menu at dinner, but you can still order it even if you’re having your meal in the swanky dining room.