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

4.8

4.8 (1927)

$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

Christopher

Dined today

Walter Hansel is our go to Pinot noir wine and coming from Pennsylvania we visit the winery at every opportunity. We always look forward to topping off the experience with a visit to the Walter Hansel Wine Bistro. The high quality personable and approachable experience of the winery is very evident in the bistro as well. The staff are engaging and friendly as well as knowledgeable. The menu is varied with influences well beyond the local region. Presentation and preparation are excellent and consistent with the wine itself. Excellent. You can enjoy a variety of wines other than Hansel if you’re so inclined. There’s much to be recommended at the Hansel Wine Bistro in it’s unassuming setting.

The Progress

4.9

4.9 (2402)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Sep 25, 2024

Great experience, we will definitely come again soon .

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Experience

Chef Renee Erickson Book Release!

Experience

Matthiasson Wines x The Progress

Blue Plate

4.9

4.9 (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

Natalievip

Dined 5 days ago

Outstanding service and great wine recommendation.

Blossom and Root Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (133)

$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

Robin

Dined 5 days ago

We had a great birthday celebration meal for my daughter and every single dish was amazing. We had 4 starters- Caesar salad, crab cakes, corn chowder and pluots on sourdough. We all ordered the very delicious smash burger with potato salad. They brought my daughter a chocolate mousse with candle. She loved every bit of it and made her celebration special.

NM Cafe at Neiman Marcus - Palo Alto

4.9

4.9 (662)

$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

Lingyeevip

Dined 7 days ago

The cafe was crowded today and the food was just ok. Beef broth and puffed roll were complimentary and as good as usual. The sampler-tortilla soup, half a tuna salad sandwich and greens-was good, but the toasted whole wheat bread for the tuna salad was a bit overdone. The Mandarin Orange soufflé was as good as always. The wait staff seemed entirely new, but perhaps we came on a Friday. They were efficient. Always a pleasant experience.

Spruce

4.8

4.8 (5315)

$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

Tessskivip

Dined 2 days ago

Such lovely service and food! Really enjoyed the presentation of every dish. Thank you for a relaxing and delightful evening.

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Maine Lobster Spaghetti

Valette

4.8

4.8 (3713)

$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

Richardvip

Dined 1 day ago

We always dine at Valette every time we visit Healdsburg. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and attentive. On our recent visit, the Scallops en Croute was the winner, so much so that we returned 2 days later!

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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

5.0

5 (612)

$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 (464)

$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

Rachel

Dined 5 days ago

Caeser salad was unique and delicious. Tuna presentation needs work. Service great.

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Experience

Dinner Party Menu

Experience

Join us for Bardo's 6th Birthday!

Experience

Dinner & Jazz w/Eric Swinderman

Torc

4.6

4.6 (3039)

$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

Marilee

Dined 6 days ago

I always love Torc and make sure to go when in town. We were running late for our reservation and I called to let them know hoping it wouldn’t be an issue. Kyle was most helpful and accommodated our 15 minute late arrival. The food was outstanding as always. The ribeye was worth waiting for! Service with Sophie and team was excellent. I have never been disappointed and will continue to go every time in Napa!!

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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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