Catch of the Day: The Haute 5 Seafood Restaurants in San Francisco

The glittering waters that ebb and flow under our feet in the San Francisco Bay Area conceal a bountiful treasure trove of maritime goodies for our gastronomic gluttony. Delicious delicacies like scallops, shrimp, and oysters are abundant, and thanks to this metropolis’ glorious proximity to the ocean, we can get just about anything (Ahi Tuna, I’m talking to you) shipped or flown right in, seared, and plated at one of these Haute 5 Seafood Restaurants before you can say, “Aquaman.”

Waterbar

A seat at Waterbar is like a seat in a stealth and sexy submarine, with two beautifully appointed bars (one spirited, one raw) and a menu stocked with seafood splendor. Pat Kuleto has created a masterpiece in Waterbar. The waterfront location, not to mention the floor-to-ceiling aquariums, instantly makes you feel like you are somewhere special. An array of freshly-caught menu items prepared in a myriad of mouthwatering ways, in combination with standards like red wine braised calamari with crispy sweetbreads and seared Alaskan cod with sweet pea tendrils, lemongrass, and foie gras, make for a dining experience not soon to be forgotten. Fanatics never miss happy hour (3-6 p.m.) for $1 oysters from the raw bar: Spendthrift splendor in the seaweed.

Waterbar is located at 399 The Embarcadero S., (415) 284-9922.