You may know that whenever I’m planning a weekend trip to San Francisco, one of my favorite places to stay is at the Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel. It is known for its old San Francisco glamour and you can read about my last stay here. When my Seattle friends Emma of Emma’s Edition and Karya of Karya Schanilec Photography decided to visit, I knew I had to take them to The Clift. Last time, I didn’t have time to check out one of the oldest bars in San Francisco – The Redwood Room located inside the hotel. Keep reading for everything you need to know for a visit.
About the Redwood Room:
History: I love a restaurant that has a good story! The bar/restaurant opened the day after the Prohibition ended. Also, rumor has it that the panels on the walls are made from one single redwood tree.
Decor: The glass bar and furniture was re-designed by Philippe Starck. Fun fact, while Philippe Starck was working on the decor, his original plan was to remove all the wooden paneling. There was a huge outcry from the San Francisco community, and consequently it was kept! Nowadays, the panelling is iconic.
Cuisine: Chef Dawn Taylor Cole is the innovator behind the menu at the Redwood Room. The menu features lots of shareable plates, as well as bigger bites for the hungriest of customers!
Visiting the Redwood Room:
Looking for the practical information too? You came to the right spot!
- HOURS:
- Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 4PM – 2AM
- Sunday – Wednesday, 4PM – 1AM
- Happy Hour: Daily 4-7 PM
- Pro Tip: Their happy hour is a steal of a deal! A great option especially if you want to beat the crowds.
- LOCATION: 495 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- DRESS CODE: Includes “no open-toed shoes, flip-flops or sandals. Also, no baseball caps and no shorts.”
- Pro Tip: I love a good excuse to dress up! I saw some guests in glamorous dresses, while others wore blouses and jeans. Dress to impress!
What we ate & review:
For dinner, we wanted to get a good feel for the menu. We decided on ordering a variety of small plates for the table.
Some of the items we tasted:
- Chips & Poke
- Messe Plate
- Napa Green Salad
My personal favorite was the Napa Salad with chicken, along with the Messe Platter! We ended our dinner with the honey cake (featured above). I loved how it wasn’t too sweet, but just sweet enough!
Overall, I enjoyed a night away from the trendy-ness of the typical San Francisco bar/restaurant scene. This experience was a nod to the past (but in a chic glamorous way), and I was living for it!
Disclaimer: this experience was sponsored by the Redwood Room & Clift Hotel, but all opinions are my own.
