The Food Issue, part 1

Welcome to the First Annual Food Issue! I think it will be two parts. I think. Today let’s talk about a worthy pursuit and an underrated practice, DINING ALONE.

“But TK,” you say, “don’t only losers dine alone? What kind of a friendless husk do you have to be to quietly shovel your lonely meal into your jaws while warily eyeing everyone else at the McDonald’s on Sutter?” I’m not talking about that kind of Dining Alone. I’m talking about you, a suave and debonair stranger, trading bons mots with a bartender who is clearly smitten with you as others think WHO IS SHE.

It’s great! You can read your book or better yet your magazine (New Yorker, Harper’s, or GQ are recommended) and just BE and not have to talk to your family I mean I love them but they’re ALWAYS THERE. So you might now be thinking “But I don’t take business trips that much!” but WHO CARES, no one knows that. At Dining Alone you can be whoever you want and doing whatever you want! If someone says “What brings you to San Francisco” you can just chuckle and say “Oh, I can’t really get into it” or “I’m doing some work for Phillipe” or whatever.

Without further ado, here are some good Dining Alone spots in SF.

Wayfare Tavern

One of the best burgers in the city, super nice bar staff, and a lively bar area. Maybe too lively sometimes and the bros can be loud but it’s still a great place to get a solo meal. Moving soon from the longstanding home on Sacramento to 201 Pine.

Sam’s Tavern

I promise I will not only list places with “tavern” in the name. Attached to Sam’s Grill, the seafood spot, it’s a friendly, cozy bar with usually a lot of tourists, so you’ll be a big shot as a local. I went on my birthday once (because my ex-therapist’s office was just down the street) and that became a Thing and now I go every year on my birthday. Solid food (the fish sando is A++++), good bar staff, and I always get into at least one conversation. (You will see this place referred to as a “sports bar” but I don’t think it really is, they have TVs with sports on but the volume’s turned down and there aren’t a bunch of Chads with backwards baseball caps.)

Brazen Head

Moving out of downtown and into Cow Hollow (just like many 20-something product managers every day HAR HAR) we arrive at Brazen Head, a dark throwback to a more sophisticated time or something. Famous for being open late and martinis, two very appealing things if, unlike me, you want dinner later than 8 pm. (There’s a Brazen Head in Dublin Ireland too but I don’t think it’s a chain.)

Yamo

You better want to eat the bar because that’s about it. This great story in the Chronicle nails the appeal of this place, which is cheap noodles done perfectly. (They’re like 8 bucks now, and it’s cash-only). In the Mission on 18th, and there’s usually a line. The ladies who make the food have a reputation for being no-nonsense, but the show is great to watch.

Heritage Restaurant and Bar

Out in the Inner Richmond now, this is the former Clement Street Bar and Grill. Fantastic bar area and great burger ($20, including fries, during happy hour), two of the things that are critical for Dining Alone.

I’m forgetting some great places I’m sure, so give it up in the comments if you have a place.