Community Tables

By Coach A:

San Fran is at the forefront of a dining revolution.  Always considered a “foody” town, the last few years have seen a rise in the number of Community Tables.  Initially awkward to sit down with strangers, this is a great away to get a sense of this fantastic city, meet people and get seated quicker!  (Also a bonus - you can ask people how their dishes are).

4 eateries offering community tables:

1. Suppenkuche: 525 Laguna St - Hayes Valley German dining
2. NOPA: 560 Divisadero St -  “new” American cuisine
3. Beretta: 1199 Valencia St - Casual Italian dining in the Mission
4. Bushi-Tei: 1638 Post St - Asian Fusion in Pac Ht’s / Japan Town

My personal experience:
One of my closest friends from college - go DEACONS — came to town and we wanted to  hit up a relative hot spot.  We rolled into NOPA and found a 2 hour wait unless we sat at the community table.  Within minutes we sat down next to a nice couple on one side and four women dining together on the other side.  We shared a bottle of wine or 2…or 3, asked questions about what everyone was eating and quickly got to know six new people — people helping people!

A Place at the Table [SF Gate]

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