Angler SF

Ever wonder if energy is a thing?! I am a believer when I walk into Angler SF, “Angler”. Angler is one of my favourite restaurants. How is it possible that a vegetarian (sometimes vegan) girl like me has favourited a seafood restaurant? It is the way I feel when I am in Angler, the energy is amazing. I instantly feel transported into a luxe cabin that is cozy yet spacious and glamorous yet homey. The earthy interior (hardwood floors, brick walls, wood kitchen and bar) makes me feel grounded and is calming whilst providing the most magical view of the Pacific Ocean and Bay Bridge.

Whenever I come across spaces that make me feel good, I have to naturally ask myself, “What is it about this place which evokes positive feelings?” I have always been intrigued by feng shui, which naturally led me to countless google searches of “restaurant feng shui”.

What I discovered is that Angler SF has successfully implemented feng shui in the design of their restaurant.The modern bagua map states the fire centre is area 9 in the South of any given area this map is placed over.

When you enter the main restaurant at Angler there is of course the front check in desk (similar to any restaurant), a small enclave space this all comprises area 1, north direction. Then the dining floor resides in areas 8 (north east), 5 (middle) and 7 (west). The kitchen is open to the entire restaurant residing in area 9 (south). The bar sits along the left in area 3 (east) and partially 4 (south east).

Furthermore, mirrors line the wall in the restaurant and wall area at a height which perfectly reflects the dining area. The mirrors’ bottoms are aligned with the sitting height of a diner. The mirrors lining the bar again start at the height at which a bar patron sits on the bar stools. Furthermore, the ambient lighting is perfectly sets a cozy, moody and relaxing feeling. The large front windows allow one to take in all the views of the Pacific Ocean, Bay Bridge and busy city foot and car traffic.

According to Love to Know.com (https://feng-shui.lovetoknow.com/feng-shui-tips-advice/feng-shui-restaurant-owners) the following are ideal restaurant feng shui:

• the ideal kitchen location for a restaurant is in fact the south area as exemplified by Angler.
• the ideal bar location is the southeast area, thus Angler partially complies by using the east and southeast
• Windows at the entrance are good feng shui and Angler has massive floor to ceiling windows at the front of the restaurant (note windows opposite the entrance will cause the energy to flow out). See below image of the Angler SF dining hall looking out onto the Pacific Ocean and Bay Bridge.

Image courtesy of Angler San Francisco Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/anglersanfrancisco/?hl=en)

• The best element for dining tables is wood and Angler uses wooden tables and chairs
• oval tables with seating of 6,8 or 10 is ideal. Angler has square tables with seating for 4 but if tables joined these would be 6, thus partially complying with this feng shui rule
• entrance should be free of barriers and there should be a waiting area free of furniture that is well lit. At Angler upon entry there is a small vacant area to which the entire restaurant is visible. A ramp leads up to the entire restaurant (entire restaurant refers to the bar, kitchen, dining area). There is a small enclave at the entry which is perhaps a sitting area but the walls of this enclave are at sitting height. I suspect this is a feng shui remedy for a steel structural element which runs from the floor to ceiling right in front of the entry as Lovetoknow.com states that no obstacles such as columns should be at the front entrance as this is not good energy flow. See above image.
• dining area should not be walled off, as mentioned above the dining area is open to the bar and kitchen. There is a second dining area adjoining the main Angler restaurant. The lack of barrier upon entry and the open concept allows the energy to enter and disperse according to LovetoKnow.com which is probably why I feel so much good energy when I am in Angler.
• furthermore, LovetoKnow also points out that furniture should not be scratched worn out or torn, windows should be clean and poster free. Clean linens and overall cleanliness of the restaurant along with non tattered menus all contribute to excellent feng shui. Everything at Angler from the cleanliness level to the condition of the furniture and menus to utensils was in tip top shape.
• well stocked kitchen and good condition equipment also contribute to good feng shui. I of course did not inspect the equipment but the kitchen was massive, beautiful, gourmet and looked like it came out of a pages of a William Sonoma magazine. See below image of the Angler SF kitchen.

Image courtesy of Angler San Francisco Instagram

• Lovetoknow states liquor is a water element and thus the area of the restaurant associated with the bar should include water and metal (metal attacts water) elements. Wavy patterns also represent water. We see that at Angler grey and blue fish in wavy motion are hung atop the bar. The external. bar has a metal railing and the stools have a metal frame. They utilized a wavy blue tile pattern on right side of their kitchen or the south west area. If I remember correctly they also use this same pattern on the southeast side or the left wall of the kitchen

• fire elements move customers in and out of the restaurant and light activates fire elements. While Angler has utilized wood, brick, metal, glass and brass elements (i.e. for vases) the overall colour palette as perceived by me is red. They have a red door and wall in their kitchen as well. Furthermore, Angler has used a variety of lighting with wall scones, in the dining area and pendants above the bar and kitchen. See below image of the Angler SF bar.

Although any feng shui resource that google has provided has not touched on quality of service, service plays a huge role in if or not I like a restaurant. According to michelin.com (https://guide.michelin.com/ca/en/california/san-francisco/restaurant/angler-sf) Angler is a one michelin star restaurant. Even without knowing this I knew this was a top notch restaurant. Every time I have been to Angler I have enjoyed sitting at the bar enjoying the water and bay bridge views with the best drinks I have ever ever tasted in my life with the most hospitable bartenders ever (and I have travelled to notable travel destinations including but not limited to London, Mykonos, LA , Madrid, Barcelona,Paris, Toronto, New York, Miami). Angler is truly and simply perfection.