Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in San Francisco Bay Area? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Walter Hansel Wine Bistro

4.9

4.9 (1913)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Santa Rosa

About the restaurant

We are located just 6 minutes from Coddingtown Mall and 10 minutes from Downtown Santa Rosa surrounded by beautiful vineyards with an onsite garden for fresh, farm-to-table vegetables and herbs.

"An impressive new Santa Rosa restaurant that's instantly one of our best"
Jeff Cox, renowned Wine Country food critic.

If you are unable to find the reservation you want, please call us directly at (707) 546-6462. Thank you.

Top review

Barb

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

Great food and wonderful staff. Wines are fabulous! Can’t wait to go back!

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4.9

4.9 (2388)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Western Addition

About the restaurant

The Progress is a vehicle for a completely local production. Innovative meals are served with memorable wine & cocktails. The Greatest Dinner Party Ever.

Top review

Natalie

Dined today

Absolutely fantastic. Food is incredible. Service was fantastic!

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Experience

Chef Renee Erickson Book Release!

Experience

Bedrock Wines x The Progress

Experience

Matthiasson Wines x The Progress

Blue Plate

4.8

4.8 (1523)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Bernal Heights

About the restaurant

The Blue Plate opened in 1999 as a casual spot where friends and neighbors can enjoy the best ingredients our seasons have to offer. Owners Cory Obenour and Jeff Trenam have created a space that feels like a home, with three distinct dining rooms each appointed with the work of local artists. In the back, a lush, night-fragrant garden offers an exotic retreat from the bustle of the city. The kitchen stays committed to using the highest quality local produce and meats in classic American and rustic Mediterranean dishes. Through a working friendship with Bay Area farmers, the Blue Plate is expanding the notion of "the blue plate special" to include dining that is casual, affordable, delicious and responsible.

Top review

nikib

Dined on Aug 21, 2024

Still AMAZING after all these years. Wonderful neighborhood spot. Incredible food and wine. Great service. We miss you Shannon!!!

Blossom and Root Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (124)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Danville

About the restaurant

Featuring plant based ingredients, elevated cooking techniques, a creative beverage list and a colorful ambiance with indoor and outdoor seating. Blossom & Root is the Tri-Valley dining destination for anyone curious about - or naturally inclined towards contemporary vegan fare with an "Eat Local" emphasis. Private dining is available. The pretty space is full of blue patterns and hues, with lots of plants (decorative and possibly edible). Featuring just as creative of a bar program as menu. Joe Steiner has elevated the bar program to match our eclectic menu by Chef Chris Johnson. Together the team puts out beautiful food and beverages not to be missed.

Top review

MikeTvip

Dined 1 day ago

What a fun evening we had here. I had the corn chowder and the mushroom steak salad with a vegan blue cheese that I would swear was actual blue cheese. My friend had the crabcakes and the lettuce wraps. Every bite of all four dishes was delightful. Service was relaxed, friendly and fabulous.

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Experience

Winemakers Dinner

NM Cafe at Neiman Marcus - Palo Alto

4.8

4.8 (655)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

Laid-back luxe. Experience delightful dishes in a casual, contemporary atmosphere at THE NM CAFE® PALO ALTO. Muted lighting and understated, modern decor create the perfect environment for a midday retreat. Whether dining with a group or simply ordering upscale take-out, expect delectable food and exceptional service that is synonymous with Neiman Marcus.

Let THE NM CAFE® host your next Baby or Bridal Shower. We pride ourselves on creating the perfect menu and ambience for your event in our chic and inviting atmosphere. Pamper the glowing bride- or mother-to-be in your life with the shower of her dreams or a lavish luncheon.

Top review

katrina

Dined 4 days ago

Had completely forgotten NM even had a cafe and hadn’t been to it in years. It was PERFECT place to meet an old friend and catch up in civilized, classy and quiet environment. The food was great, the orange soufflé and chicken salad was a classic and so good. The popovers are still served and still great. The menu looked so tempting, will have to go back again soon. The service was lovely. What a nice break in the day!

Spruce

4.8

4.8 (5290)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Presidio Heights

About the restaurant

Open for lunch (two courses/$65), brunch (three courses/$98), and dinner (three courses/$125), Spruce offers seasonal prix-fixe menus crafted by Chef Mark Sullivan. Each menu offers a wide range of options, as well as luxurious additions (examples: caviar, truffles) for supplemental prices. Our cuisines is complemented by an extensive wine list which holds "Wine Spectator" magazine's highest honor, a Grand Award. The bar/lounge is available for walk-ins on a first-come, first-serve basis. We look forward to welcoming you to Spruce soon!

Top review

Alinevip

Dined 3 days ago

Just excellent! Service, food, wine selection and ambiance: all perfect!

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Maine Lobster Spaghetti

Valette

4.8

4.8 (3670)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Healdsburg

About the restaurant

Contemporary American: Portraying what Sonoma County has to offer with refined elegance and simplicity.

We will showcase what the region has to offer by focusing on the amazing network of farmers and artisan producers in the area. The relationships we have formed with our purveyors have given us the opportunity to work with what is available while providing the flexibility of changing our menu weekly.

We are determined to provide warm and personable service by dedicated professionals who love what they do. Every guest will feel as if we were inviting them into our own homes.

The wine program is inspired by the incredible history and diversity of the region that surrounds us. Here you can explore classic varieties made by the pioneers whose dedication has made Northern California one of the most exciting wine growing regions in the world.

Top review

Chelseavip

Dined 1 day ago

Had a birthday dinner for a friend here and the service with perfect. Brought us some celebratory champagne with a sweet card. Tasting menu was amazing! We will be back!

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Popular dish

Day Boat Scallops en Croute

Popular dish

Coriander Crusted Duck Breast

Popular dish

Prime New York Strip Loin

Neumanali

4.9

4.9 (613)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Hayward

About the restaurant

Welcome to our beautifully restored Victorian with a contemporary twist. Neumanali opened fifteen years ago and quickly became a neighborhood favorite.

We are open for indoor dining. Patio seating is available. We are not requiring masks for those who have been vaccinated, however, we appreciate your adherence to the state masking requirements for those not vaccinated.

The menu features both fresh and seasonal entrees in addition to a selection of fun and unusual small plates. Perennial favorites are the pan-seared day boat scallops, grilled ribeye and pan seared pork chop. The wine list is a bit eclectic and features smaller, more difficult to find winery selections. Lush garden dining is available now.

Top review

MrsFields

Dined on Jul 27, 2024

It's a quaint restaurant with amazing ambiance, service and food. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Bardo Lounge & Supper Club

4.9

4.9 (456)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Oakland

About the restaurant

Recommended in the MICHELIN Guide for California 2021-2023. Located in Oakland’s historic Grand Lake District, Bardo is a neighborhood lounge and restaurant inspired by the comfort and camaraderie of a mid-century dinner party. Drawing on the celebration and elegance of old school entertaining, we envisioned a space for friends and neighbors to enjoy amazing food, cocktails, conversation and great music.

Our lounge is a swank living room, furnished with hand-picked finds from antique and vintage markets from Palm Springs to Portland. Our mezzanine dining room features a rotating menu of fresh, seasonal supper-fare with local and sustainably sourced meats, fish and produce. While we think the food, drinks and atmosphere are all great reasons to visit us, it’s the relationships with our friends, neighbors and guests that is the driving force behind Bardo.

Top review

Susannevip

Dined on Aug 28, 2024

Such a fun experience. Loved the live jazz downstairs. We enjoyed the tasting menu, but a few of the dishes were lacking a bit in depth and creativity. The steak was fantastic, and was the star of the show. The summer salad was disappointing, as the lettuces were not as crisp and as fresh as they should be. Dessert was a 10/10! Service was attentive and friendly.

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Experience

Dinner Party Menu (Parties of 4 - 12)

Torc

4.6

4.6 (3023)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Napa

About the restaurant

Walk into TORC and you might notice the music. It's rock & roll, blues, or soul, and it's undeniably on. You might notice the energy — it's high. And you'll definitely notice our bar. It's busy serving well-made cocktails and pouring rare wines we're proud to say you probably won't find anywhere else by the glass. There are no white tablecloths. No dabbing the corners of your mouth. No pomp, but lots of circumstance. And perhaps the only reason you noticed the aforementioned is because you haven't tasted our food. That's when the music fades into the background. Join us.

Top review

Gr925vip

Dined 5 days ago

If you want different, yet delicious…a must go! Different is a twist on the staples, so something for everyone.

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Popular dish

Périgord Trufe Grilled Cheese

Popular dish

Farm Fresh Deviled Eggs

Popular dish

Season's First Tempura Squash Blossoms

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