News for Restaurants in San Francisco March 2016 Archive Search / Openings / Closings / Chef Shuffle / News Bytes / Sign up for our free, monthly newsletter / News Archive Want to know who's doing what in your city? Gayot has the restaurant news you want to read on openings, closings, special events, and more. Learn everything you need to know about the restaurants in San Francisco here. RESTAURANT NEWS Openings Second Act Marketplace, a food hall on Haight Street in the former Red Vic theatre, is getting a new food stall. Bulka Bakery comes from owner and baker Tatiana Kasatkina, who serves coffee, Russian-style sweet and savory pastries, croissants, quiches and housemade breads. She also plans to add traditional Russian cakes in the coming months. Breakfast & Lunch daily. Bulka Bakery, Second Act Marketplace, 1727 Haight St., San Francisco, CA 94117, 415-999-6012.   The new project in Ghirardelli Square from chef Jonathan Waxman is now open. Called simply Waxman’s, the restaurant offers seasonal New American cuisine, including fresh seafood, pasta dishes, and meat entrées. The space also offers a full bar with classic cocktails, and a wine list with lots of by the glass options. Dinner nightly. Waxman's, Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point St., San Francisco, CA 94109, 415-636-9700.   Wildhawk, a new Mission bar from the PlumpJack Group, is slated to open in late April 2016. The new bar features cocktails by Ken Luciano and Jacques Bezuidenhout of Forgery, as well as food from chef Howard Ko. The space, in the former beloved lesbian bar The Lexington, was designed by Jay Jeffers. Wildhawk, 3464 19th St., San Francisco, CA 94110, no phone.   Indian Paradox, a wine bar specializing in pairing Indian street food with wine (often thought of as a difficult task) is now open in NoPa. Look for lots of small bites designed for sharing, along with an international wine list. Dinner Tues.-Sun. Indian Paradox, 258 Divisadero St., San Francisco, CA 94117, 415-699-8725.   The team behind Tradition, Rickhouse and other locally beloved bars has opened a new spot for imbibing. It’s called Pagan Idol, and is all about tiki drinks, which are enjoying a bit of a resurgence at the moment. Vintage styling and retro details, along with lush plantings, make the space a fun one for enjoying a tropical beverage. Open Mon.-Sat. Pagan Idol, 375 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94104, 415-985-6375.   A new omakase-style sushi restaurant has hit the dining scene, called Ju-ni. Executive chef Geoffrey Lee serves twelve courses at the sushi counter, which seats just twelve diners (ju-ni means twelve in Japanese). Most of the fish on offer is flown in from the famed Tsukiji Market in Tokyo, and prepared using a combination of old-world technique and new-world ingredients and flavors. Dinner Mon.-Sat. Ju-ni, 1335 Fulton St., #101, San Francisco, CA 94117, 415-655-9924.   Jewish deli mavens Evan Bloom and Leo Beckerman have opened their much-anticipated Wise Sons Bagel & Bakery on Fillmore Street. The grand opening was February 26th, and the shop serves freshly-baked bagels, along with schmears, egg sandwiches and coffee from Intelligentsia. Wise Sons bagels are also available at their other locations, including inside the Contemporary Jewish Museum and their 24th Street deli. Open daily. Wise Sons Bagel & Bakery, 1520 Fillmore St., San Francisco, CA 94115, 415-872-9046.   Chef Josiah Slone, together with his wife and partner Khin Khin Slone, have transformed the former longtime French-California destination Restaurant Sent Sovi in Saratoga into Relish Gastro Lounge. There are more than 24 craft beers on tap to complement dishes like buffalo carpaccio, shrimp & chips and Maple Leaf duck confit. Relish Gastro Lounge, 14583 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070, 408-867-3110.   News Bytes Added Tapas Concept at Cala, New Brunch On Friday and Saturday nights, Hayes Valley’s Cala offers a new casual spot to get a drink and a bite. As well as offering dinner in their main dining room, the restaurant's annex and popular lunchtime taqueria Tacos Cala, located in the back of the space, will open as Tapas Cala from 5pm to 11pm. They will also add Saturday brunch to the existing Sunday brunch service, available both days from 10 am to 2 pm. Cala, 149 Fell St., San Francisco, CA 94102, 415-660-7701.   Alfred's Steakhouse Re-Opens A San Francisco classic since 1928, Alfred's Steakhouse has re-opened. It had been closed for renovations by new owners the Daniel Patterson Group, whose properties include Alta CA, Haven, Coi and Aster, among others. Alfred's Steakhouse, 659 Merchant St., San Francisco, CA 94111, 415-781-7058.   Bay Area Venues Among James Beard Nominees The James Beard Foundation has announced their nominees for the 2016 James Beard Awards, and several Bay Area chefs and restaurants are featured. Liholiho Yacht Club received a nod in the “Best New Restaurant” category, while Belinda Leong and Michel Suas of B. Patisserie and William Werner of Craftsman and Wolves were nominated for “Outstanding Baker.” Bar Agricole was nominated for “Outstanding Bar Program” and chef Michael Tusk of Quince was acknowledged in the “Outstanding Chef” category.   The Dock at the Lake Chalet Now Open, Plus Happy Hour The Dock at the Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill on Oakland’s Lake Merritt is now open for the summer season. In addition to serving food and cocktails in the sunny outdoor space, the restaurant will also launch a new happy hour Monday through Friday, from 3 p.m.–6 p.m. and then later in the evening from 9 p.m.–close. The happy hour menu includes snacks, cocktails, wine and beer specials. Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill, 1520 Lakeside Dr., Oakland, CA 94612, 510-208-5253.   MINA Test Kitchen Launches Diane's Bloody Mary Brunch The MINA Test Kitchen offers brunch service on Sundays, called Diane’s Bloody Mary Brunch for Michael Mina’s wife, Diane. Her signature Bloody Marys are on offer, along with other brunch cocktails. Brunch dishes are available à la carte and include options such as jelly donuts, a breakfast sandwich with pastrami on a bagel and french toast. Reservations can be made here, and walk-ins are welcome. Brunch is served Sundays from 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m. The MINA Test Kitchen, 2120 Greenwich St., San Francisco, CA 94123, 415-310-8371.   Food Truck Festivities Off the Grid food truck market has returned to Fort Mason for a new season of eats, drinks, wine and games. Every Friday night from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. until October, check out more than 25 food truck vendors serving everything from tacos to dumplings to barbecue. Additionally, Rye on the Road will be on hand with cocktails, and live music keeps the scene hopping. Off the Grid Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd. Building A, San Francisco, CA 94123, 415-339-5888.   Ride Along with the San Francisco Brewer's Guild -- For Free The San Francisco Brewers Guild is launching a new free shuttle service to transport beer lovers from brewery to brewery. Once a month, the Guild’s "Meet the Brewer" nights will include the chance to meet beermakers at several breweries, including Magnolia Brewpub, Barrel Head Brewhouse and Social Kitchen. Visit the official website for info and schedules.   The Company is MINA Test Kitchen's Latest Michael Mina’s MINA Test Kitchen has announced its latest long-term pop-up, and it’s called The Company. Guest chef Vikrant Bhasin will prepare Indian food with a focus on small plates. Guests will have the option of seven courses ($49), nine courses ($59) or eleven courses ($69). Wine and cocktails pairings are also available. Visit the official website for reservations. The MINA Test Kitchen, 2120 Greenwich St., San Francisco, CA 94123, 415-310-8371.   Chef Shuffle Sophina Uong, previously of Revival Bar & Kitchen in Berkeley, is now the chef at Calavera in Oakland. In addition to her experience at Revival, Uong has competed in meat-centric events such as Lamb Jam, where she’s been the champion two years in a row. Expect to see some of her meat skills on the menu at Calavera. Calavera, The Hive, 2337 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, 510-338-3273.   The Cupertino location of Alexander’s Steakhouse has named a new executive chef, Jared Montarbo. The California Culinary Academy graduate’s career includes stints at various Wolfgang Puck restaurants, including Postrio, Lupo in Las Vegas and most recently Spago in Beaver Creek, Colorado. In addition to some menu items, Montarbo is also adding an omakase menu option. Alexander's Steakhouse, 10330 N. Wolfe Rd., Cupertino, CA 95014, 408-446-2222.   Closings Oakland institution Francesco’s, located near the Oakland Airport, is closing after nearly 50 years of pasta, meatballs and cioppino. The official last day of business is March 31st. Francesco's, 8520 Pardee Dr., Oakland, CA 94621, 510-569-0653.   Cupola Pizzeria has closed, according to an announcement on their website. The pizzeria was one of several restaurants on the fourth floor of the Westfield Centre, and joins former neighbor LarkCreekSteak in its recent closure. Cupola Pizzeria, Westfield Centre, 845 Market St., Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, no phone.   After a year of changes and attempts to rework their concept, it looks like St. Vincent in the Mission has closed for good. The space has been on the market for some time now, and a new buyer is lined up to take over the space. As for owner David Lynch, he can still be find running events at Polk Street wine shop Biondivino. St. Vincent, 1270 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110, no phone.   CULINARY EVENTS Want to learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area. View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in San Francisco Discover the top restaurants in the San Francisco/Bay Area for various cuisines and categories like sushi, steakhouses, happy hours, romantic dining and even gourmet food trucks. Find the best restaurants in SF here!

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