One night in town at the Hyatt Embarcadero

[susan robin]

We will be in SF for one night on our way to Carmel, staying at the Hyatt. Any recommendations for something stylish and fun in the area for dinner around 9 pm or so? Doesn't need to be fancy. Have not been to SF for three years so we a re a bit out of touch.

[demitasse04]

Waterbar quite stylish. And Slanted Door shouldn't be difficult at that hour. Agree with Lauritson's 'baccos, Wayfare not so much.

[susan robin]

We love Slanted Door but believe it or not, booked already --- and we are flying in from NYC and want to eat at 9! Anyway, Perbacco it will be, just made a reservation. Thanks to all. Love SF and only wish we could get there more often.

[grayelf]

I am also a visitor but dang I just don't see Perbacco as stylish. Solid and tasty but kinda lacking in ambiance and a bit corporate, I thought. Barbacco had a cooler vibe to me. Also prefer Cotogna for the vibe and the food trumped (we went at lunch) both the 'Baccos for me by a fair margin. All based on one visit each of course, so YMMV -- and I doubt the OP'll be disappointed at any of them.

[demitasse04]

Really? Cotogna over the 'baccos? Chacun à son goût. I do like that Cotogna is open late but not crazy about the wine selection or that the tuna in my chitarra pasta on a recent visit was, to be kind, toothsome. And the cocktails are far, far better at Perbacco.
SUSAN: HAVE A GREAT TIME!

[steve h.]

Ah, if coming from NYC, consider Perbacco similar to Scarpetta (good bar, good pastas, decent fish, a decent measure of sophistication). Cotogna could be far more interesting to you. Quince, the older brother of Cotogna, is a step or two up the food ladder.

Manhattan doesn't have a direct one-for-one counterpart to either of the two Tusk restaurants. David Lynch (Babbo, Lupa, Esca, etc,) was the wine guy at Cotogna and Quince before pulling up stakes and starting his new place called St. Vincent. I haven't been but early reports sound interesting if wine and small plates appeal to you.

[Robert Lauriston]

Cotogna is great but hard to get a reservation. Quince is a step or five from Italy toward France, which might be up or down the ladder or neither depending on your point of view.

St. Vincent is great. I need to write up some notes on my second visit but it was as good as the first.

[steve h.]

St. Vincent sounds like it's right in my wheelhouse. I look forward to your thoughts/comments/criticisms.

[steve h.]

Another vote for both Perbacco and Barbacco. I'd add Cotogna and Quince to the mix (about a 10-12 minute walk from the Hyatt).

[zorrosf]

Boulevard, Epic Roasthouse, Tadich Grill.

[Ruth Lafler]

Boulevard isn't "fun" and Tadich isn't "stylish" (IMHO). Gitane and Piperade are longish walks, especially that late at night (again, IMHO). I'd second Robert's Perbacco/Barbacco recs.

[CarrieWas218]

Walking distance: Piperade, Bix, Gitane, or Kokkari.

[Robert Lauriston]

Perbacco, Barbacco, Wexler's, Wayfare Tavern