State Bird Provisions and its grandiose offshoot The Progress have been gracing the city with legendary seasonal small plates for the last decade. Both spots are SF Restaurant Greats, and destinations for meals you’ll remember for the next year—or ten. The third spot from the same team is The Anchovy Bar. While it doesn’t dazzle as much as its siblings, it comes close. The Anchovy Bar is memorable, and has its own distinct personality, too. It’s the most intimate of the bunch, and more casual (and painless to get into). You’ll likely end up here more than once. This spot is best used for date nights and nicer-than-average meals for anyone whose love language involves toasty bread, seafood, and tinned fish. It’s romantic without trying too hard—leafy floral arrangements spring up off the bar, wavy textures on the ceiling add a coastal vibe, and dark tile accents set the stage for a knee brush under the table. So, yes, prepare to spend a night here with someone you’ve shared toothpaste with for a couple of years, or more than a few suggestive exchanges on an app. The menu is short and sweet, and mainly seafood and vegetable shareables and hot entrées. Dishes range from “I need a second order of this now” to “I forgot what I ate last night.” Anchovies, both local and imported, are always on offer, but there are only a couple of them, like the anchovies “in purgatory” that are beautifully tender over spicy hot oil. On the rest of the menu, fresh and frequently changing ingredients keep things exciting—great news, considering you’ll probably return for another date night next month. One day, the halibut crudo is accompanied by fresh pluots, and the next, it’s brightened up with a layer of tangy passion fruit you’ll want to funnel into your mouth like an ice luge. Out of all of State Bird Provisions family’s restaurants, The Anchovy Bar has the most romantic charm, meaning come here with someone you have a crush on. For anyone who gets the hots just thinking about eating sea creatures for a couple of hours, The Anchovy Bar is your happy place.