"Go to Stoa when your first date happens to fall around dinnertime—the small plates coming out of this Lower Haight spot are leagues above most other bar food you can find in the city. Their cocktails, which are split into cheeky categories like “Stern, But Firm” or “Lean & Mean,” pair well with lime-and-fish-sauce chicken wings, grilled mochi topped with corn and bacon, and gingery porridge. The space is long enough to fit two bars and plenty of seating, so you won’t have to worry about jockeying for a stool with any other couples. " - lani conway, ricky rodriguez, julia chen 1