Sons & Daughters

Behind an unassuming facade in San Francisco’s Mission neighborhood sits Sons & Daughters, a fine dining establishment that delivers a refined California tasting menu experience. The intimate space features moody black-and-white artwork and a cozy fireplace, creating an atmosphere that feels both mysterious and welcoming. From the moment you’re seated, the young and attentive staff treats every guest like royalty, complete with personalized welcome notes addressing each person by name.

The fourteen-course menu celebrates Northern California’s bounty with dishes that are as visually striking as they are delicious. Small plates shine brightest here—expect razor clams artfully wrapped in daikon to resemble delicate flower bouquets, and opening bites served on beds of moss that look like miniature landscapes. The kitchen takes the local ingredient philosophy seriously, even sourcing salt from Ocean Beach to sprinkle atop their butter.

The tasting experience unfolds at a perfectly relaxed pace, allowing diners to savor each course without feeling rushed. While the meal runs $225 per person, the experience justifies the splurge for those seeking an elevated evening. The silky corn purée and smoky mushrooms that accompany the duck exemplify the kitchen’s skill with seasonal vegetables, and dessert finishes things on a light, floral note with jasmine ice cream.

Sons & Daughters makes an excellent choice for anyone seeking their first upscale tasting menu adventure, celebrating a milestone, or simply wanting an impressive dinner near downtown San Francisco. It may not reinvent the fine dining wheel, but it delivers a polished, thoroughly enjoyable evening of seasonal California cooking.