Swig
Photo: courtesy Swig
“A fireside is a great opiate," said Leigh Hunt, the poet and journalist. It’s also a great mood-setter, and, of course a good way to warm up your toes. Here are a few choice restaurants with fireplaces:
Camino: The massive open fireplace dominating this brick-lined Oakland trattoria not only provides the inspiration for its name and ambiance, it’s also where much of the Cal-Med menu is prepared (1517 Shattuck Ave.; 510-548-5525).
Ducca: At night falls, guests at this Venetian-inspired hideaway in SoMa’s Westin hotel huddle around the lounge’s fire pits to keep the foggy weather at bay (50 Third St.; 415-977-0271; reserve online).
EPIC Roasthouse: Fire’s the thing at chef Jan Birnbaum’s waterside New American, where an epic-sized fireplace serves as a focal point for the dining room (369 Embarcadero; 415-369-9955; reserve online).
Kokkari Estiatorio: At this modern Grecian hang near San Francisco’s Jackson Square, you can dine like Zeus at the rough-hewn table set in front of the massive fireplace where everything from whole lamb to pigs are spit-roasted (200 Jackson St.; 415-981-0983; reserve online).
MatrixFillmore: This trendy reinvented Cow Hollow nightspot boasts a funky, Jenga-esque gas fireplace (open on both sides) that casts perfect lighting on its fashionable clientele (3138 Fillmore St.; 415-563-4180).
St. Regis Lobby Bar: Mingle with the jet set, conventioneers and other SoMa swells at this swank hotel’s lobby bar graced with a mod, 16-ft.-long, two-sided open gas fireplace (125 Third St.; 415-284-4000).
Swig: Although this Tenderloin bar is known for its booty-shaking dance floor, sedentary types enjoy strawberry basil cocktails and fireside chats in front of its cozy gas fireplace (561 Geary St.; 415-931-7292).