Verjus

For many San Franciscans, the 2024 reopening of Verjus, the Financial District wine bar from Lindsay and Michael Tusk, signaled that post-pandemic San Francisco was truly back after years of uncertainty following its 2019 closure.

The bar and bistro, defined by its lacquered red ceiling, candlelit communal tables, and neon display of daily dishes, quickly became a gathering place for wine and French fare lovers, out-of-towners chasing San Francisco’s elusive authenticity, couples drawn by forgiving date-night lighting, and anyone who has ever been to Paris and never quite let it go. During warmer months, tables spill onto the street across from the Transamerica Pyramid. On any given night, rain or shine, there is a waitlist.

The food menu is compact and hits all the right notes: a fluffy, perfectly cylindrical Boursin omelette, crusty bread, elegant pâté en croûte, a recurring variation on leeks, a hearty sausage dish, and seafood served chilled to perfection. Service is informal enough to feel relaxed, yet knowledgeable enough to guide the table, whether in wine selection or pacing the meal. The wine list is expansive, spanning Champagne and obscure whites from Corsica to California, alongside a more recent addition of a refined cocktail program created by Thad Vogler of Bar Agricole. Many bottles come in under $100, while others climb past $500.

Not every Verjus regular realizes the bistro is part of the broader Tusk family. Compared to Quince and Cotogna, it operates at a more relaxed register, both in tone and expectation. Still, the same rigor shows up in the details, which is why Verjus remains one of the most reliable places in the city for dinner, a drink, or a casual stop that unexpectedly turns into a full evening.