EPIC Roasthouse

Description:

• Why it took so long is a mystery, but for the first time in decades someone has finally built and opened a true destination restaurant on the Embarcadero. Two, actually. Location is everything, and the EPIC Roasthouse and its adjoining sister restaurant Waterbar were both built from the ground up on perhaps the most prime piece of real estate in the city -- right on the Embarcadero with spectacular views of the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, and city skyline. They both opened on the eve of January 29, 2008 to such fanfare that the opening party was a debacle (everyone invited showed up). At EPIC it's all about steak. Renowned chef and co-owner Jan Birnbaum, a New Orleans man who knows his meat, runs the show within his huge exhibition kitchen, perspiring at the wood-fired hearth to make sure your $76 rib eye-for-two is cooked to your specs. The restaurant's Pat Kuleto-designed interior makes for a grand entrance: Only when you're done marveling at the bold industrial elements of leather, stone, mahogany, and massive cast iron gears do you notice the phenomenal view of the Bay Bridge from the two-story-tall wall of windows. Perhaps the only thing prettier than the scenery is Birnbaum's sizzling 26 oz. bone-in porterhouse on your plate ("Every steak comes with a handle," claims Jan). If you don't have a reservation, the upstairs Quiver Bar serves both bar and full menus, but the upstairs crowd usually consists of obnoxious businessmen and Gucci-toting gold-diggers from across the bridge. Better to call ahead and dine below. Tip: On sunny days beg the hostess for a table on the bay-view patio.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2009
•  Highly Recommended 2010