Gibson is on fire—literally: chic and innovative with an impressive menu showcasing live fire cooking.

This spot has snuck into downtown, gracing the Hotel Bijou with a new destination for contemporary American dining. Walking into Gibson is like stumbling into the '20s. It's a hip, elegant throwback spot with Art Deco-style finishes, antique mirrors, decorative ceiling layered with images of the renaissance and graffiti, and a constant golden glow from antique lighting fixtures. The restaurant is the vision of chef Robin Song, who most recently served as chef de cuisine at Hog & Rocks. Together with beverage director, Adam Chapman, they've focused on creating a menu that celebrates local ingredients, preparing most dishes with a live fire in an open kitchen; creating a natural flow between diner and staff. Expect dishes with familiar ingredients combined in unexpected ways. Even if you only stop in for a drink, you'll be more than impressed with their tasty concoctions.

// Gibson is open open seven days a week from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m, 111 Mason St. (Tenderloin), gibsonsf.com