Bartlett Hall embraces its Bay Area identity so fervently that its name even references the statesman who officially changed the city's name from Yerba Buena to San Francisco. The restaurant honors the region's past and present by capturing the area's spirit with its dedication to seasonal, local ingredients—a dedication best exemplified by the on-site microbrewery, which crafts beers just steps away from the restaurant's bar area.

In the kitchen, Chef Emmanuel Eng and his team take familiar bar staples and use quality ingredients—such as organic, free-range chicken, milk-fed lamb, and housemade cheese—to put a twist on the expected. Fermented pepper sauce, caramelized kimchi, and bacon aioli accompany otherwise traditional chicken wings, for example, and wild California king salmon rests in a Thai curry-tinged broth. The chefs even design imaginative pizzas, creating pies topped with everything from prosciutto and Calabrian chilies to wine-braised chanterelles, corn, and squash.

Bartlett Hall's decor also balances its contemporary and traditional influences. Plaster-textured walls, rich woodwork, a display of antique clocks, suspended glass orbs containing Edison bulbs, and copper salt and pepper shakers all exude a historic charm. At the same time, modern details such as large pieces of contemporary artwork, the bar's flat-screen televisions, and holographic menus complement the space's trendy yet rustic vibe.