Though it only opened in September, The Dorian already has established itself as one of the Marina's neighborhood hotspots, thanks to its old-timey vibe and menu staples like oysters and truffle fries, seasonal craft cocktails and an impressive selection of whiskeys.
Anderson Pugash—who owns the bar/restaurant with Benson Wang (the two also own nearby Palm House) and Jack Herr—said he got the idea for The Dorian by looking back to the turn of the 20th century, with its "fun, hedonistic pursuits." He notes that "Oscar Wilde was a good embodiment of that," so he named the restaurant for the protagonist of Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Grey.
Anderson Pugash.
The interior blends vintage elements with contemporary stylings. Ornate chandeliers, teal velvet high-backed chairs, tufted horseshoe booths and shelves stuffed with books give the space the feel of being in a rich uncle's house, but pops of contemporary fabric, modern overarching floor lamps and low-slung sofas connect it with today.
The space is separated into a main bar/lounge called the "State Room," an open dining area called the "Drawing Room," and a cozy upstairs, known as the "Study." Any or all of the three can be rented for private parties.
The Drawing Room at The Dorian.
We asked Pugash why there's been such a rise in these throwback bars, which include places like The Treasury and Leo's Oyster Bar in the FiDi and Novela in SoMa. "With the increase of technology and the amount of time we spend on computers, there's a yearning for some connection to the past and more simplicity in a way, and some nostalgia and familiarity," he said. "So I think people are looking back a little bit to create connections, as a bit of a response to the world today and how we interact.”
The menu also centers on richness and comfort, with items like deviled eggs, drunken pork belly with barbecue sauce, hand-cut steak tartare and the Dorian burger, which Pugash says he'll put up to any burger in the city. If you want to really go for the gusto, you can upgrade the burger to the Royal Dorian, with black truffle, Dungeness crab and bacon, for $40.
The Dorian burger. (Photo: Amy Herold)
The Dorian is also known for its seasonal craft cocktails, created by bar director Ilya Romanov. You can get a classic martini, or try something new like the "Dangerous Liaisons," an updated margarita with tequila plata, yellow bell pepper and jalapeño-infused agave syrup.
Ilya Romanov. (Photo: Steve Kepple)
The bar also boasts one of the biggest whiskey selections in town, with hard-to-find and small-batch bottles such as Yamazaki sherry cask and aged Michter's and Pappy Van Winkle. On the first Wednesday of each month at 7pm, the bar hosts "Whiskey Society," a tasting and education class, for $20–$25. The June 1st event will feature Jim Beam small batch bourbons.
The Study.
Happy hour runs 4:30–6pm Tuesday–Friday and includes $1 oysters, $1.50 deviled eggs, $5 truffle fries, $5 house wines, a $9 cocktail, a $4 draft beer and half-off select bottles of sparkling and rosé wines. You can also get half-off oysters and rosé all night on Tuesdays, and a local beer, a shot of bourbon and the Dorian burger for $20 on Wednesdays. Thursdays feature live music, usually jazz.
The State Room.
The crowd is a mix, Pugash said, depending on the time of day and day of the week. But many Marina neighbors, from their 20s on up, stop in. "We created it to try to have cross-generational appeal," he said. " I think it’s cool when you can take a date here, but you can also go with your family here; you can go with your buddies here."
