Our springy, almost summery weather means it’s time to start dining outside—well, on the nights when we’re not getting blown away, or Karl the Fog has invited himself to dinner. Then again, we’re San Franciscans, we’ve got this.
While the 4505 crew is getting close to start the groundbreaking on an awesome seating situation on the lot flanking their building (it involves a shipping container and heaters), they currently have a temporary picnic area set up with four tables. It doesn’t sound like much, but the turnover is pretty quick since there are usually some people milling around with their beer and barbecue in hand and giving you “the look.” (At lunchtime, it’s even easier to snag a spot.) 705 Divisadero St.
This new bar and restaurant in the Presidio (under the direction of Traci Des Jardins) has a shaded front porch, with four tables (with three seats each). Take your seat and enjoy the Cal-Spanish menu (and cocktails). The Commissary is currently open for lunch and dinner, and starting June 8, Sunday brunch will also be served. Plan B: There is plenty of lawn space on the Main Parade ground for take-out meals. 101 Montgomery Street
The former Fifth Floor has been renovated into this loungier space, with a small plates menu and more cocktails than you know what to do with. It has one of the better-contained patios in the city (the retractable roof and heat lamps are nice touches) and there are a bunch of seating options, from a high-top communal table to two-top tables, plus some patio couches and a fire pit. Reservations accepted for 6 or more. 12 4th St.
Not only did the newly renovated and reopened Hog Island double its size, it also doubled its outdoor seating, which means you now have 65 seats outside where you can enjoy cocktails, oysters, and their fried oyster po’boy while watching people come and go. No reservations. 1 Ferry Building.
One of the more stylish places to recently open, this SoMa restaurant just (and we mean just) opened their spacious back patio, which features 48 seats under a glass canopy with heat lamps—and some curtains to block the breeze are forthcoming. Instead of battling for a spot at the bar inside, now you can park yourself out back (for lunch or dinner) as you start making your way through the list of simply outstanding salumi. Reservations accepted for two of the six eight-top tables, which means there’s a lot more room for walk-ins! 140 New Montgomery St.
This taco spot moved down from Polk Street, and its new, huge space on Market has an outdoor patio with room for 80 (yup, it’s a big’un). The patio features a mix of extra-long picnic tables and four-tops, with a few umbrellas too. Uno Dos is just open for lunch for now, so the next time you want a sunny lunch spot (and a cocktail or beer), you know where to go. Dinner/evening hours begin Monday, June 2, when hours will expand to 10:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m. 595 Market St.
Marcia Gagliardi is the founder of the weekly tablehopper e-column; subscribe and get more food news and gossip at tablehopper.com. Follow her on Twitter: @tablehopper.
