Valentine’s Day dessert: Red Velvet Crepe “Cake” from SF’s Presidio Social Club
We are 3 days away from Valentine’s Day — if you’re planning to dine in San Francisco, here are a few restaurants to consider.
Roka Akor
On Valentine’s Day weekend at Roka Akor there will be a five-course tasting menu. Led by Executive Chef Roman Petry, the robatayaki-style menu ($98 per person) features dishes to share, such as Tuna Tataki with spicy ponzu, red onion and lotus root chips; Robata Grilled Wagyu Filet with grilled bone marrow and spicy sweet garlic soy; Sake Kasu Marinated Sea Bass with shiso and lime; and Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake with almond caramel and vanilla ice cream, among others. Additionally, the lounge downstairs, Roka Bar, will be offering five love-inspired cocktails ($7-13), including the Fatal Attraction ($13) with Zaya rum, Appleton Estate rum, Dumante pistachio liqueur, Combier triple sec, fresh blackberries, lime, and fresh mint; and At First Glance ($7) with cherry blossom infused rice milk, Rihaku Nigori Sake, hibiscus bitters, pomegranate seeds, orange zest, and fresh shiso. A limited a la carte menu will also be available. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 415-362-8887 or visiting the restaurant’s site.
A16
A16 in San Francisco is celebrating Valentine’s Day (and their 12th anniversary) with a multi-course menu from Executive Chef Rocky Maselli and traditional wine pairing options from Wine Director/Co-Owner Shelley Lindgren. The five-course menu will be available on both Saturday and Sunday night with dish highlights including Southern Italian specialties like Squid Ink Tonnarelli Puttanesca with chili, capers, and oil cured olives, and a special Coccola – a heart-shaped blood orange Cappelletti jello shot – for dessert from Executive Pastry Chef Hannah Buoye. The prix fixe dinner is $85 per person with optional wine pairings optional. Reservations can be made by visiting the restaurant’s site or calling 415-771-2216.
Flour + Water
Chef Thomas McNaughton and Chef de Cuisine Evan Allumbaugh have created a menu that focuses on traditions from the Umbria region interpreted through the flour + water style of cuisine. Umbria is rumored to be the birthplace of San Valentino making it the perfect reason to celebrate. The menu is $95 per person with wine pairings available for an additional $70 per person. Menu highlights include: Mushroom Mousse and Perigord Truffle Bruschetta, Beet Cured Trout with roasted beets, compressed beets, poppy seed, creme fraiche, and horseradish, Pappardelle with rabbit ragu, Suckling Pig Porchett, and Chocolate Hazelnut Torte. Call 415-826-7000 for reservations.
Luce at the InterContinental San Francisco
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Luce with dinner prepared by Michelin-star chef Daniel Corey. Guests can order off the regular a la carte menu or enjoy a three course Valentine’s Day menu for $75 per person. Highlights from the a la carte menu include handmade sweetbread ravioli with crispy sweetbreads with black perigord truffles and mustard leaves; prime new york strip steak, slowly cooked with rosemary & garlic caramelized salsify, date-coffee marmalade, and trumpet royale; and duck breast, poached & roasted, baby carrots with honey & lavender, apple, and trompette de la mort. For reservations, visit the restaurant online.
Presidio Social Club
Along with the regular menu, Presidio Social Club will have several special items available a la carte throughout the entire weekend, including a blood orange and shaved fennel salad with black olives and sumac vinaigrette; smoked salmon carpaccio with fried capers, caviar cream, chervil and rye toast; chitarra pasta with jalapeño, cilantro, uni butter and dungeness crab; and braised beef short rib with celery root purée, pickled red beets and chocolate red wine sauce. For dessert, pastry chef Rene Cruz will be serving a delicate Red Velvet Crepe “Cake” made of thin crepes layered high with cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut tuile, and the Passion Parfait made with passion fruit mousse, coconut brittle, honey roasted cashews, and white chocolate crisps. Visit the restaurant’s site for information or reservations.
SPQR
This Valentine’s Day, Executive Chef Matthew Accarrino of SPQR will be offering a three-course prix fixe lunch for $52 per person and a four-course prix fixe dinner for $94 per person with an optional truffle course. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 415-771-7779.
Salumeria – Make Valentine’s Day Dinner at Home
This Valentine’s Day, Salumeria is offering a “flour + water” pasta project for $45 plus tax, ideal for two people. The kit includes all you need to make beet caramelle with salsify, prosecco and calabrian chili. Make it a complete meal by adding on cured meats and cheeses or chocolate budinos. Order by calling 415-471-2998.
Aatxe
Celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend with Aatxe and enjoy a special supplemental menu created by Chef Ryan Pollnow on Friday and Saturday evening – highlights include oysters on the half shell and California Osetra Caviar Montadito. In addition, guests can let the kitchen decide, where chef will bring out a tasting of his favorite tapas for $65 per person. Aatxe will be closed on Sunday, February 14 so that their staff can enjoy Valentine’s Day. For reservations call 415-471-2977 or visit the restaurant’s site.
Fogo de Chão
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Southern Brazilian Steakhouse Fogo de Chão in San Francisco, which opened in late December. The restaurant is located on the corner of 3rd and Howard in the heart of San Francisco’s SoMa District. Fogo de Chão will be offering one complimentary dining card to each couple that dines with them during Valentine’s Day weekend (February 12-14). Complimentary dining cards are redeemable for one lunch or dinner on their next visit (valid February 15 – April 28). For more information on location and pricing for San Francisco please visit the web site.
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