Circa, San Francisco

Circa's menus center around shareable small plates and high-end meats in decadent arrangements: Niman Ranch beef is clasped by bacon, cheese, and tarragon-dijon mayo in a pair of sliders, while organic chicken breast basks in creamy risotto. Mediterranean accents surface unpredictably throughout entrees in the form of za'atar seasoning, almonds, and figs. Michael Bauer of the [_San Francisco Chronicle_](http://gr.pn/H7U3FU) found plenty to praise at the lounge's 2006 opening, including "thoughtful desserts" served by waitstaff who "seem to enjoy their jobs" and an atmosphere that "makes diners feel as if they're relaxing in a luxurious cocoon." Designer [Michael Brennan](http://www.michaelbrennandesign.com/), of Cortez and La Table fame, is behind the latter. His work finds the dining room enfolded by a cocoa-colored design scheme and studded with the floral images of [Neil Seth Levine](http://www.neilsethlevine.com/), chosen for their evocation of both the stark lines of Ansel Adams and the fever dreams of Georgia O’Keeffe.