Pres a Vi

(Presidio)
1 Letterman Dr.  
415-409-3000 Map it
www.presavi.com

$$$
International
bar scene, brunch, business lunch, dine at the bar, fine dining, good for groups, notable wine list, open kitchen, outdoor dining, private dining or party space, valet parking, view

SCENE: Housed in the Letterman Digital Arts Center, this eclectic small-plates restaurant from the owners of Va de Vi, in Walnut Creek, has a cavernous appeal thanks to the wine-barrel ceiling and the large expanse of floor space—there’s room for close to 200 guests inside (not including the private dining rooms) and 80 outside. While dark wood, heavy fabrics and dim lighting make the interior feel more like a high-end hotel restaurant, the heated outdoor patio, covered by a trellis and offering views of the Palace of Fine Arts, lightens the mood.

EATS: The wine room, storing an impressive 400-some bottles, is a not-so-subtle hint that this place takes its wine to heart. Instead of ordering by the glass, the better deal is to get a flight of three 3-ounce tastes. The menu offers 20 to 30 small plates meant for sharing—with the Kobe beef tenderloin and hamachi teradito (a Peruvian dish akin to ceviche) being among the signature items. For off-hours dining, the “Bites” menu features a decadent lamb burger with apple chutney that’s motivation alone for eating at unconventional times.