South Food and Wine Bar

(SoMa)
330 Townsend Street  
415-974-5599 Map it
www.southfwb.com

$$-$$$
business lunch, dine at the bar, lunch, notable chef, notable wine list, open kitchen

SCENE: Mod-Oz is the overarching theme of this Aussie-inflected space across from the Fourth Street Caltrain depot. In the daytime, the room is light-filled, with elaborate red-and-white tiling, blond bentwood lights and a small view of the kitchen. A few bar stools and a communal table are accommodating alternatives to the two-top.

EATS: Run by a local duo—one Aussie and one Kiwi (with Sydney-based celeb chef Luke Mangan owning one-third of the partnership)—South has a modern Down Under sensibility, with food that’s light and healthy, and peppered with Asian flavors. Barramundi, a mild white fish, gets the fish-and-chips treatment (fried, accompanied by wasabi mayo and chunky chips); the venison burger is topped with spiced beet chutney. The stand-out dessert is Mangan’s signature licorice parfait with lime syrup.