Baker & Banker, San Francisco

Sample Menu

• Salad: pineapple, mango, jicama, and papaya tossed with housemade cilantro-lime dressing
• Entree: citrus-marinated steak, broiled and served with white rice, black beans, yuca frita, tostones, and guasacaca
• Drink: a Caribbean-inspired cocktail, such as a Tucán, with passionfruit, guava, mixed dark Jamaican rum, and lime

While You’re Waiting: Salsa music and other live Latin performances set the tone in this teeny, lively cafe. Don’t be surprised to see tables pushed aside to create a dance floor—and be ready for a server, bartender, or other friendly staff member to ask you to join them. Sample Menu

• Appetizer: stone-fruit salad with greens, port-poached cherries, and ricotta
• Entree: local lamb with chickpea panisse and baby artichokes
• Wine: Evening Land pinot noir, Willamette Valley, 2011
• Dessert: XXX triple-layer chocolate cake

When to Go: In the evening. The turn-of-the-century Victorian space originally housed an apothecary, and wife-and-husband team Lori Baker and Jeff Banker—the restaurant’s pastry and executive chef, respectively—preserved much of its charm. Original decor such as tarnished gold leaves collides with furnishings such as leather banquettes, creating a sumptuous, romantic atmosphere best suited for dinner. In fact, the restaurant’s only open from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night.

Where to Sit: Book the chef’s table for a memorable meal. Set off in a private part of the bakery, the rustic wood-plank table seats up to 12 diners.

While You're Waiting: Stroll over to the bakery, which is filled with regular house offerings such as breads and pastries, as well as custom desserts.

Inside Tip: Ask for a recommendation. The menu continually evolves according to what’s in season. Tell your server what you like, and they’ll help you navigate Lori and Jeff’s oft-changing dishes.

Vocab Lesson:
Panisse: a fried or baked fritter made from chickpea flour. Popular in Northern Italy and Southeastern France, especially in Marseilles where it’s sold as street food.

While You're in the Neighborhood
Before: See Japanese craftsmanship up close at Kiku Imports, a specialty store that deals Japanese antiques and furniture (985 East San Carlos Avenue).
After: Head to the Gough Street Playhouse, where The Custom Made Theatre Co. produces plays focused on social consciousness (1620 Gough Street).