2 Best Restaurants in San Francisco, California

One of Downtown San Francisco's most storied restaurant spaces is now on a permanent Mediterranean vacation. After a longtime tenure as Aqua (where Michael Mina's legendary career began) and later as Mina's flagship namesake restaurant, the prominent California Street dining room's latest concept looks towards Greece and Mina's Egyptian heritage. With soft white tones and plush, oversized booths opposite a bustling bar, it's a great place to dress up for a leisurely dinner centered around the oak-grilled fish offerings, yet also relaxed enough for a few happy hour cocktails and bites.

With its lush hot-house decor—red lamps, tuffeted curved seats, and oversized art—this romantic spot is a Valentine's Day favorite. It's also a great place for conversation, sangrias, and Mediterranean-inspired cooking. Tops are the bacon bonbons (bacon-wrapped prunes stuffed with goat cheese) and paella. The downstairs bar makes inventive and flavorful cocktails (many of them are sherry-based), with seats in demand. While there is outdoor seating, the interior is a seductive part of the experience here.