When the answer to that dating app prompt has convinced you to meet up in person—or if you just want an easy date night with someone you trust around your unlocked phone—head to the Roaming Goat. The Mediterranean wine bar in Cow Hollow is quiet and barely lit, with mostly two-person tables and a nice parklet with heaters. In any situation, it’ll be a low-stakes choice. Small plates are solid and arrive in quick succession, so if the night’s trending well, keep it going with black lime tahini-topped falafel and goat cheese-stuffed dates. (The extensive wine list, which includes hard-to-find Armenian bottles, should help, too.) And if you can’t envision seeing this person again, it’s easy enough to cut things off and be in and out in less than an hour. Plus, reservations are usually easy to snag any day of the week, so if you want a date night venue that feels like you did a lot more pre-planning than you have, this is it.
Food RundownTrio
A great way to sample each of the three dips on the menu. If you’re not looking to fill up on mezzes, though, stick with the labneh that’s thick enough to plaster a wall.
photo credit: Patrick Wong
Falafel
Our favorite small plate. Each piece is fried to a crisp without tasting dry, and the lime tahini adds a nice hit of tartness.
photo credit: Patrick Wong
Batata Harra
We wish these potatoes were a bit crispier, but they still make for a great vessel for the garlic toum (which you should hold onto and use as a dip for everything else).
photo credit: Patrick Wong
Stuffed Dates
A classic combination that works for a reason. Goat cheese is creamy with the sweetness coming from honey and dates, plus some crunch from crushed pistachio—there’s no going wrong.
photo credit: Patrick Wong
Herb Cucumber Salad
Refreshing, but not memorable. If you need to pad out an order, this will do.
photo credit: Patrick Wong
Brussels Sprouts
Crispy with little crunchy bits throughout, if not a bit greasy.
photo credit: Patrick Wong
Kebabs
You’re better off sticking with the small plates at Roaming Goat, but if you need something more substantial, the kebabs are a solid choice. We suggest skipping the lamb, though, which can be bland, and going for the lightly charred, juicy chicken instead.
video credit: Patrick Wong
Dining and Cooking