The Anchovy Bar

State Bird Provisions and its grandiose offshoot The Progress have been gracing the city with legendary seasonal small plates for the last decade. Both spots are SF Restaurant Greats, and destinations for meals you’ll remember for the next year—or ten. 

The third spot from the same team is The Anchovy Bar. While it doesn’t dazzle as much as its siblings, it comes close. The Anchovy Bar is memorable, and has its own distinct personality, too. It’s the most intimate of the bunch, and more casual (and painless to get into). You’ll likely end up here more than once. 

photo credit: Melissa Zink

photo credit: Melissa Zink

photo credit: Melissa Zink

This spot is best used for date nights and nicer-than-average meals for anyone whose love language involves toasty bread, seafood, and tinned fish. It’s romantic without trying too hard—leafy floral arrangements spring up off the bar, wavy textures on the ceiling add a coastal vibe, and dark tile accents set the stage for a knee brush under the table. So, yes, prepare to spend a night here with someone you’ve shared toothpaste with for a couple of years, or more than a few suggestive exchanges on an app. 

photo credit: Melissa Zink

photo credit: Melissa Zink

The menu is short and sweet, and mainly seafood and vegetable shareables and hot entrées. Dishes range from “I need a second order of this now” to “I forgot what I ate last night.” Anchovies, both local and imported, are always on offer, but there are only a couple of them, like the anchovies “in purgatory” that are beautifully tender over spicy hot oil. On the rest of the menu, fresh and frequently changing ingredients keep things exciting—great news, considering you’ll probably return for another date night next month. One day, the halibut crudo is accompanied by fresh pluots, and the next, it’s brightened up with a layer of tangy passion fruit you’ll want to funnel into your mouth like an ice luge. 

Out of all of State Bird Provisions family’s restaurants, The Anchovy Bar has the most romantic charm, meaning come here with someone you have a crush on. For anyone who gets the hots just thinking about eating sea creatures for a couple of hours, The Anchovy Bar is your happy place. 

Food Rundown

photo credit: Melissa Zink

Anchovies 'In Purgatory'

You like your anchovies hot? In Anchovy Bar-land, “in purgatory” translates to served over slightly spicy oil. The delicate crunchy spines on this fish are also edible. Kick dinner off with this.

photo credit: Melissa Zink

'Saemyeol Anchovy' & Steak Tartare

One of the few anchovy dishes on the menu, and one to pay attention to. Tiny Korean-style dried anchovies are mixed into this sesame-heavy steak tartare—these crunchy little salt bombs steal the show.

photo credit: Melissa Zink

The Western Addition Oyster

The most decadent bite you’ll throw back here. The broiled oyster arrives glistening, soaking in a rich date-bacon sambal butter and topped off with thick strips of even more bacon. Order one per person.

photo credit: Melissa Zink

Halibut Crudo

What tops the crudo changes seasonally—on a recent visit, passionfruit, thinly sliced jalapeño, and thai basil made it a tangy-spicy dream. No matter what fruit is brightening up the buttery fish, it will be a hit.

photo credit: Melissa Zink

Spiced Tomato Seafood Stew

The seafood in this stew—from mussels and clams to extra flaky fish—is cooked perfectly. It’s also the most generously portioned dish we’ve had here, so order one for the table to round out the meal with something more filling.

Bay Shrimp Smothered Avocado

We wanted to like this shrimp more, but the creaminess of both the avocado and charred serrano crema was a little one-note, and left us in search of added crunch.