I've pretty much been in foodie heaven since I moved to San Francisco. Last week I had one of the best meals I've had here yet (and probably one of the most expensive). We went to Spruce (3640 Sacramento St), which is right between the Presidio Heights and Laurel Heights neighborhoods. The area is very cute, with a ton of little restaurants and boutiques. Spruce serves contemporary American cuisine, using fresh and local ingredients (the standard for most restaurants in California).
Walking into Spruce, it was clear that this was a pretty swank restaurant. The interior was actually designed by Stephen Brady from Williams-Sonoma, another company headquartered in San Francisco. It was darker, with little geo-crystal lights on each table. The interior had a lot of dark wood, with a black, white and chocolate color scheme. There are high ceilings featuring Baccarat crystal chandeliers, with a glass-paned wine bottle storage wall in the middle of the room, separating the dining from the bar. The outer walls are mirrored, giving the illusion that the restaurant is larger, when its actually fairly small and cozy. The lounge area and some if the dining room has oversized faux ostrich chairs, which are ridiculous comfortable. There’s also a bar area that has a smaller menu with more casual fare, such as burgers. If you want to eat at Spruce but can’t get a reservation or don’t want to spend a fortune, grabbing a seat at the bar may be a better option to consider.
We went for dinner. The appetizer we went with was the heirloom tomatoes with burrata, focaccia, basil and aged balsamic. The tomatoes were so fresh, with the burrata adding that creamy element and the foccaia adding a bit of crunch. They also bring the table one or two rounds of amuse bouches, which is always fun and gives you a real feel for the chef’s style and flavor profile. For a drink before the meal came, I had the Pamarosa, which is rose and pomegranate liqueurs and sparkling wine. They actually float a rose petal in it! For dinner, I tried a couple different wines. Their sommelier has amassed a wine list of over 2,500 selections from all over the world. I’m a huge pinot noir fan, which is typically a fruitier red wine that’s low in tannins (less acidity and bite). The Cobb 2007 from the Sonoma Coast was probably my favorite that I tried on their list. For an entrée I ordered the deliciously decadent butter-poached lobster, served with braised lettuce and handmade golden potato gnocchi. Everything on the plate was succulent and melted in my mouth. Others at the table gave rave reviews for the grilled bavette steak and local yellowtail.
The desserts they offer are very fun and playful, such as the watermelon soda float and the caramel corn panna cotta. We tried the mini beignet, which came with chocolate and creme anglais dipping sauces. The sauces were so amazing I found myself wishing I could lick them clean (don't worry, I'm a classy gal and resisted this urge). We also tried the chocolate peanut butter bar, which also has layers of raspberry jelly and coffee infused marshmallow. I about died, it was so delicious. So, if you’re looking for a restaurant to go for a celebration or anniversary, this one is a good pick. You’ll get an amazing meal, just be prepared to leave with a much lighter wallet.
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