Looking for somewhere new to eat? Here’s your monthly cheat sheet of five brand-new places that recently opened around town.
There’s a new restaurant (of course, in the Mission) where you can enjoy very creative and inspired California cuisine. The chef is the talented Brett Cooper, who is back in the Daniel Patterson Group with this project, but his background also includes working for Stuart Brioza (State Bird) at Rubicon, Saison, and of course Outerlands, where he had his own fan club. It’s a comfortable neighborhood place, nice but nothing fussy, with 45 seats and a huge communal table in the middle. Taste some seasonal goodness like green garlic soup ($14), charred broccoli fritters ($25), and don’t miss the black cod with chard leaves and pickled stems, the buzzed-about miso levain, and smoked cod broth ($34). (Please note those prices include gratuity at this no-tipping establishment.) Dessert from pastry chef Sean Ehland (formerly McCrady’s in Charleston) is a must. Open nightly for dinner. 1001 Guerrero (at 22nd Street)
The former Grand Cafe in the Hotel Monaco has an entirely new look, name, and chef: Heather Terhune (previously of Chicago's Sable Kitchen & Bar). The updated tavern got zhooshed by design firm Ken Fulk Inc., and is now a bar, lounge, and 72-seat dining room—the rest of the huge dining room was rededicated to being a ballroom once again. Bar manager Kevin Diedrich will have some quality concoctions to go with Terhune’s smoked ham and Brie pop-tarts and braised lamb poutine (and pickle-brined fried chicken thighs with coleslaw and buttermilk biscuits, oh yeah). Open for breakfast and dinner daily, brunch coming soon. 501 Geary (at Taylor) 415-292-0101
The next time you want a spot for happy hour, or maybe you have a group and want to graze through a bunch of small plates together, you should know the former Radius in SoMa has a new name, chef, and menu. Chef Mark Furr is rocking more of a Latin and Caribbean vibe, with an array of ceviches (try the one with young coconut in it), fry bread tacos (like pork cheek, rock cod), and some mighty tasty wings in a Cholula-ancho sauce, plus some seasonal picks, like grilled asparagus with toasted almonds. Happy hour (Tue–Sat 5pm–7pm) means $1 oysters, three tacos for $10, and $4 craft beer drafts. 1123 Folsom (at Langton), 415-525-3676
This latest addition to The Hall lineup in Mid-Market is all about quality home cooking from the Mexican mama you wish you had. Guadalupe Guerrero, a native of Guanajuato and a La Cocina business, makes wonderful sopes (try them with nopales), enchiladas, tostadas, and wait until you taste her pozole verde with chicken, tomatillo, and hominy (her family recipe has bacon in it, and trust us when we say it’s next level). And everything is gluten-free. This family business is built on a lot of sacrifice and hard work and deliciousness, so let's support it! Hours for now are Mon–Fri 11am–8pm, and every other Saturday. 1028 Market (at Sixth Street)
San Francisco loves its oysters, and chef-owner Tim Archuleta and partner Erin Archuleta will have five kinds to shuck for you at this petite space whose name means “oyster shop” in Japanese. It’s in the original ICHI location, with just 21 seats at the counter and tables. You’ll also find house-cured ocean trout, scallops, steamed selections (like shrimp, mussels, and lobster), Japanese potato salad, and other seafood bar treats. There is a selection of sparklers to go with your dozen oysters, plus sakes and beers too. Look for the pearl in the beautiful custom mural. Open Mon–Sat in the evenings, closed Sun. 3369 Mission (at Godeus), 415-814-3877
Marcia Gagliardi is the founder of the weekly tablehopper e-column; subscribe and get more food news and gossip at tablehopper.com. Follow her on Twitter: @tablehopper.
