Lazy Bear describes itself as a modern American dinner party. And it is, but it is also so much more than that. To eat at Lazy Bear is a modern dining experience, one that guides you through the world of a Michelin star restaurant in an approachable and accessible manner. Through the duration of the evening, you eat of course, but you also witness nuances that combine to create the complexity of a well-trained, highly skilled kitchen. It is unlike any other restaurant in San Francisco, and today I’m telling you how best to prepare yourself when dining here:
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Before Lazy Bear:
- Ticketed reservations are released in waves, which they update on Twitter. I recommend the 8:30pm seating as you are less likely to be rushed during the meal. You’ll also get a sneak peek of the earlier seating when you arrive so you can unabashedly lurk.
- Drink pairings are optional and not something I find necessary to the meal. You’ll have a complimentary glass of bubbly in the beginning, and I prefer being fully attentive to the dishes and chef descriptions.
- Dress up! It’s not required of course, but in the era of athleisure (of which I’m probably the most guilty of), it’s fun to dress up for a nice night out. You’ll also be able to take photos with the cooks so can’t hurt to look good.
- While there are multiple courses, you will not walk out of there feeling insanely stuffed, so feel free to eat relatively normally during the day.
During Lazy Bear:
- Upon arrival, you’ll be taken upstairs for drinks and starting snacks. It’s a good time to get a view of the restaurant from above and mingle with other diners if you want.
- Each diner gets a guide book to take notes in during the meal. It’s one of the aspects that make Lazy Bear a truly unique restaurant so you can review the meal in real time and compare with your dining partner.
- Before each dish, a cook will describe the techniques and sensibilities that went into it. Again, this is part of what sets Lazy Bear apart—the sheer involvement between diners and cooks throughout the meal.
- Feel free to get up and observe the kitchen in action between dishes. And ask questions! It’s part of the experience.
- Pro tip: Before dessert, the servers will ask about wine. Skip the wine and get the cold brew. It’s not on the official menu but it’s some of the best cold brew I’ve had, loaded with foamy milk and flavor.
After Lazy Bear:
- Keep your guide book! It’s an awesome souvenir that sums up the evening well, and you can look back through it later and laugh/wonder why you rated a dish “nom dot com” or “100” (this could also be just me).
There you have it! I’d love to hear what your experiences are when you dine at Lazy Bear, and I’m excited to return as the menu develops over the seasons.
Tiffany Ingram says
The title to this post is everything! Honestly, this looks so dang yummy- thanks for the recommendation!