"Verjus is a candle-lit wine bar from the team behind Cotogna and Quince. Reopening after closing its doors in 2020, this Jackson Square spot can easily turn a drink or two into a relaxed three-hour dinner (or some weekend dancing thanks to the all-vinyl DJ booth in the accompanying tasting room) with its menu of excellent French food. You should focus on the creamy Boursin omelette, duck confit with stewed black lentils, and the mainstay from their previous menu, the pâté en croûte. Just make sure your meal ends with the pain perdu topped with vanilla ice cream—it’ll make you rethink any other french toast you’ve ever had. While Verjus, with its dim lighting and cozy seating, is perfect for a date night, it’s also great for small groups looking to take advantage of the reasonably-priced bottles of low-intervention wine. Reservations are difficult to come by, so try your luck by walking in right at 5pm when the waitlist opens." - Ricky Rodriguez
