Circa

(Marina)
2001 Chestnut St.  
415-351-0175 Map it
www.circasf.com

Dinner only
$$$$
Contemporary American
bar scene, dine at the bar, family style, private dining or party space, romantic, singles scene, take-out

SCENE: It’s amazing what some crystal-dripping chandeliers can do: Cozmo’s, in the Marina, once best known for its singles scene, was reinvented in 2006 as Circa with the help of a revamped gold-and-sage interior by Michael Brennan. He opened up the space to make the central, square-shaped bar and plush dining room more inclusive, adding round booths and a raised communal table.

EATS: The food takes itself more seriously now too. Chef Erik Hopfinger’s appetizers are twists on all-American: “Tater tots” are given a filling of Dungeness crab, foie gras is seared and served with peanut-butter brioche and huckleberry jam for the ultimate PB&J, and mac-and-cheese gets lobster and truffles. Entrées have international flavor, such as rosy Moroccan-spiced lamb “lollichops.” Instead of dessert, you may want to feast on the eye candy at the bar—proof that the meet-and-greet scene is still alive and well.