Gitane

Affectionately known as one of San Francisco's hidden gems, Gitane is eclectic, sexy and sophisticated. Combining the sultry playfulness of a 1930s cabaret with the audacious spirit of the 1970s, Gitane's interior features rich fabrics, bold patterns and romantic chandeliers, while the heated patio is tucked away on Claude Lane. Inspired by the travels of a gypsy, the menu is rooted in Northern...

Try the house specialty "Gitane" cocktail.

This will only mean something to you if you're a cocktail geek, but Gitane's got a Kraft Cool ice machine.

Bauer checked in at Gitane this week, which "remains one of the most romantic settings in the Bay Area." But a waiter's upselling quickly killed the mood. "It began to feel like we were dealing with a modern version of the door-to-door salesman who was rejected but keeps coming back." Bauer ordered a lot, but "flatline flavors dominate," from "unsatisfying" merguez sausage to "overcooked"...

CIVIC CENTER—After nearly three years in business, French cafe Mirtille has said goodbye. There's already a taker for their space, a place called MJ's Cafe, but no details on what they might be up to. [Tablehopper]

WINE COUNTRY—Napa's BottleRock festival only debuted last year, but its producers have already filed for bankruptcy. Among their issues: they spent too much on musical talent,...

As restaurants enter the resolution-and-budget-influenced customer doldrums of January, it's usually time to step back and take stock. For some restaurants, that means renovations; for others, it can be time to make a new hire. And chefs are equally likely to get itchy feet. Indeed, there were so many chef shuffles this week that we're rounding them up in one gigantic Chef Shuffle Bonanza.
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"Low lights" and a "sexy ambiance" make for "a romantic evening" at this "youth-oriented" Spanish "hideaway" Downtown, where many "first dates" begin with "creative" cocktails at the "energetic" ground-floor bar before progressing to the "richly colored" dining area upstairs for "interesting" and "delicious" Andalusian-inspired plates; it's not cheap, but service is "warm", and many agree it...

Named after the freewheeling gypsy, Gitane is a modern, funky, and artistically bold restaurant locatedin downtown San Francisco between the financial district and Union Square. Chef Lisa Eyherabide creates simple, approachable bistro fare emblematic of the Basque region, drawing inspiration from neighboring Spain, France, and Portugal. An elevated bar program pairs these exotic tastes and...