Since it's Valentine's Day Eve and all, it's time to get shmoopy and talk about romantic restaurants. And since the typical Valentine's prix fixe-glass of bubbly-and-a-red rose affair is a tad trite in our book, let's take a moment to honor those restaurants that are romantic all the time, not just on Hallmark holidays. What follows are seven of our favorite San Francisco restaurants that somehow manage to be unexpectly romantic all year long.
1) Forbes Island (Pier 41)
Despite its kitschy nautical atmosphere in a boat off Fisherman's Wharf, Forbes Island isn't as much a tourist trap as a local's treasure. You take a two minute boat ride to its under-water dining room with a flaming fireplace and a full bar. The menu reads like a culinary school text book from the 1980's, but the wild mushroom ragout, flat iron steaks and such are surprisingly well executed. Don't head back to solid land before climbing the "lighthouse" for a new vantage on tourist central. Forbes Island is a light-hearted away to escape from SF without going very far.
