Side Notes

Casual pre-theater eats strike a chord.

Opera’s summer season is on, and whether you have tickets to Don Giovanni, Der Rosenkavalier, Iphigénie en Tauride or all three, chances are good that you’ll want to tack on a lunch or dinner to your show. Our seven picks are a bit more off-the-beaten path when it comes to theater dining, but the lower prices and leisurely pace make every seat feel like the best in the house.

Red Box Sushi
A virtual shoebox of a space, this sushi joint is part of a growing number of restaurants lighting up the Tenderloin with good food. 581 Eddy St., 415-563-7888.

Paul K
With Mediterranean cuisine and an airy atmosphere, owner Paul Kavouksorian has created an oasis—and one of the city’s best-kept secrets—on a busy thoroughfare. 199 Gough St., 415-552-7132.

Modern Tea
Zen-calm servers are happy to suggest meal pairings from the restaurant's list of a dozen or so international teas for the mostly vegetarian, homey menu. 602 Hayes St., 415-626-5406.

Cav
This urbane wine bar is decked out in crimson and steel and filled with wine enthusiasts sipping to their hearts' content. Eclectic plates are offered in both small and large portions. 1666 Market St., 415-436-1770.

Bodega Bistro
A mix of people—from foodies to neighborhood folk—come here to enjoy affordable French-Vietnamese food, presented with a bit of panache and served on white tablecloths. 607 Larkin St., 415-921-1218.

Sauce
Sauce easily blends comfort and chic with maroon walls, cushy booths and a long wooden bar. The kitchen is open until midnight, making this the spot for late-night dinners. 131 Gough St., 415-252-1369.

Il Borgo
A casual little red-sauce place that delivers on rustic Italian fare, Il Borgo is kitschy and comfy, with a hand-painted mural and tables decked out red-and-white-checked tablecloths. 500 Fell St., 415-255-9108.

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