San Francisco’s most illustrious restaurants open their patios to serve innovative, gourmet fare.
Fresh vegetables and chicken alla diavola at Cotogna.
With a new outdoor terrace, Atelier Crenn reprises some of its favorite dishes with recipes from chef Dominique Crenn, the only female chef in America to attain three Michelin stars. Offerings include a kir Breton that elevates food into the realm of fine art: Cider is frozen into statuesque spheres encased in shells of cocoa butter and white chocolate. A caviar and koji rice tart contributes to the summery atmosphere, whereas crab tartare and trout mousse stimulate the palate with artisanal flavors. Outdoor seating is limited, so make sure to book a reservation.
Outdoor dining at Cotogna.
Fusing flavors of San Francisco and Tuscany, this rustic restaurant in the Financial District is a local favorite for ingredient-based Italian cuisine. The family meals feature inventive favorites such as thebistecca alla Fiorentina, Tuscan beef simmered to tender perfection. Other highlights include spit-roasted pork loin, chicken alla diavola and cacciucco alla Livornese.Each family meal includes a refreshing array of sides, such as Fresh Run Farm beets with arugula and horseradish and Rocca pecorino “biologico.” Cotogna is also renowned for its delicate cocktails that span all taste preferences, including a showy nitrous Manhattan and a summertime Negroni.
Dining on the Saison Smokehouse patio conjures childhood summers spent eating brisket and ribs off the grill. With succulent barbecue items such as a pastrami brisket encased in a seasoning of cracked pepper, smoked chicken and grilled green chile pork ribs, the fare is bound to satisfy all carnivorous cravings. Pair your meal with a selection from Saison’s carefully curated beverage menu, such as Saison riesling from California’s Wirz Vineyard for the ultimate feast for the senses.
Photography by: Joe Weaver
