RTB Wine lounge fills a need to escape with more than a little culinary luxury.
RTB Wine Lounge offers an extensive list of wines and Champagnes.
Fans of the former Avery San Francisco may have noticed a rebirth of the space shortly after the New Year—and with some familiar offerings. Thanks to owner Rodney Wages and general manager Sean Widger, RTB Wine Lounge has breathed new life into 1552 Fillmore, offering some of Avery’s signature dishes and new creations to complement its extensive list of exquisite wines and Champagnes.
The dishes reflect life’s little culinary luxuries.
If the pair’s resumes are any indication, RTB will be a haven for gastronomists. Wages has worked at some of the country’s most notable kitchens, including The French Laundry, Benu, Atelier Crenn and Saison, before launching his pop-up called RTB in late 2016. RTB evolved into Avery, which occupied the space for several years before moving to Edinburgh in 2023. In a full-circle moment, RTB was ready to reclaim its birthplace.
Guests can expect elevated snacks and an impressive pairing program.
Widger, who leads the front-of-the-house team and the beverage program, has an equally impressive pedigree, having worked at several respected restaurants in San Francisco, including Atelier Crenn, The Battery, RN74 and Alexander’s Steakhouse, where he was the wine director and sommelier.
“We wanted to create a space that kept the warmth of hospitality and exceptional quality that you expect from the best Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. But [we created] one in a more guest-driven format,” says Widger. “We feel like San Francisco needs more spaces where the guest is in the driver’s seat without sacrificing great food and wines.”
The cozy and chic interior
Guests will enjoy a couple of snacks with a few glasses of wine—or a multicourse meal with multiple bottles of wine. RTB Lounge has also launched private experiences for groups of up to eight in its private cellar room, where it boasts the flexibility to curate an elevated experience by collaborating on menus, pairings and formats.
The space features a warm, midcentury vibe.
Widger curated a selection of wine, sake and Champagnes that showcase their place in the beverage world, including the history, people and styles of each varietal. Standout dishes include tortellini in brodo (paired with a glass of sake) and pop-up tarts with ice cider. RTB Wine Lounge, 1552 Fillmore, 415.845.2587, rtbwinelounge.com
Photography by: JOSEPH WEAVER
