Kirimachi Ramen feels like it was tailor-made for workday lunches or dinners. Small tables are almost always free, so you and your most trusted colleague can gossip in private, and picnic-style benches are also available for manager-sponsored team outings. Add in the fact that it’s open later than most Embarcadero Center spots (until 6:30pm), and all the conditions are right for an efficient escape from the office. The food is solid: A big bowl of tori paitan hides a hefty tangle of noodles that cling to the savory broth, and lightly crisped karaage makes for a fantastic companion dish. While you might not travel across town for a meal here, this is a reliable pick that won’t take up your whole lunch hour or throw a wrench in your commute home.