Husband-and-wife team Brett and Elan Emerson want you to feel some camaraderie when you set foot in their Noe Valley restaurant, that’s why it’s called Contigo (“with you”). And we are con ellos all the way. It’s a place that is just as much an ode to Barcelona and all good things Catalan to eat as it is to the California farmers and artisans who supply the top-notch ingredients. Order tapas by the piece, including an ethereal toast topped with fresh cheese and Cantabrian anchovies, or choose from more than a dozen raciones, small plates meant to be shared. The heart-shaped piquillo peppers packed with Dungeness crab, though, ain’t easy to share. Neither are the nutty slices of jamón ibérico de bellota. But you don’t want to be stingy; on the contrary, this is a place to break bread and linger over a glass of Rioja or sherry with a friend lucky enough to savor a meal contigo.

Anchovy toast
Jamón ibérico de bellota
Wood oven–roasted flatbreads
Dungeness crab–stuffed piquillo peppers
Hot chocolate with churros
*menu changes daily
view full menu here

Contigo has seating for any mood or party size: space for larger groups on the enclosed rear patio next to the vegetable garden, stools at the counter and cava bar, and a handful of tables in the dining room.

Contigo supports many local cult-status purveyors, including Sightglass Coffee. They’re such a fan of the local brew, it’s also used in their rich and creamy caramel flan.

Tue–Sat 5:30 PM–10 PM; Sun 5:30–9:30 PM
closed Monday

Tapas: $2 (anchovy montadito) to $5.50 (pork belly bocadillo)
Raciones: $7 (Brussels sprout leaves) to $22 (short ribs)