Nopa

Nopa calls itself a San Francisco gathering place, and the restaurant on Divisadero Street at Hayes is open every evening of the week. It serves what it describes as organic wood-fired cuisine, built on seasonal ingredients from local farms and purveyors.

The dinner menu changes daily and revolves around the wood-burning grill and oven, with several Mediterranean influences running through it. The wood-fired oven drives much of the cooking. Flatbreads come straight from the fire, and the pork chop is a regular favourite. Other dishes that feature on the menu include a nine-hour Bolognese with house-made pasta, fried chicken, house-smoked bacon, house-smoked trout with pickled beet hummus, and a burger. The full bar focuses on contemporary classic cocktails made with high-quality ingredients, and the wine list draws on producers both local and from abroad, chosen to suit the food and the seasons. The menus also mention coffee and pastries, and there is a dessert menu.

Nopa suits groups of friends, couples and solo diners who like a lively room, and it is a sensible choice when you want proper cooking without a formal tasting menu. Sharing a flatbread and a couple of larger plates is a good way to try the range. For birthdays, work dinners or larger celebrations, the restaurant handles private events, which you can enquire about through its website.

The restaurant serves dinner every evening: 5pm to 10pm Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 11pm on Friday and Saturday, and 5pm to 9.30pm on Sunday. The late closing on Fridays and Saturdays makes it useful after a show or a concert. As the menu changes daily, the dishes mentioned here give a flavour rather than a fixed list; the current dinner, cocktail and wine lists are published on the restaurant's website, which is worth a look before you go. If you have dietary requirements, mention them when you book. Reservations can be made through the restaurant's website, and booking ahead is wise at weekends.

The restaurant is at 560 Divisadero Street, at the corner of Hayes Street, and is reached easily by taxi or ride-hailing from downtown. Arriving at opening time gives you a calmer start to the evening, and leaves time for a cocktail before you order.