Red wine braised beef brisket. (Courtesy of Belcampo)
From Matzo to Macaroons: Where to Have Passover Dinner in SF and Oakland
26 March 2018
We've got the skinny on where you can dine out (or order in) for your most relaxed holiday yet. Pesach Sameach!
Belcampo
Get a hot, ready-to-serve meal for eight to 12 people ($149) from Belcampo's chefs and dine at home without the stress. The customizable four-course selection could include red wine braised beef brisket; herb crusted, boneless leg of lamb; or slow smoked boneless, honey glazed ham. And then there are the sides—roasted Brussels sprouts; sweet glazed root vegetables; and French green beans with trumpet mushrooms. Orders can be placed in store or over the phone to be picked up from any Belcampo location March 30th through April 1st. // 1998 Polk St. (Nob Hill), belcampo.com
Wise Sons
Looking for a full-on experience? Head to Wise Sons' seventh annual set of Passover seder dinners at Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) on the 30th and 31st at 7pm. They'll kick off with a reading of the Haggadah and then serve up traditional dishes including housemade gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, and coconut macaroons with optional wine pairings with Scribe Winery. Wise Sons' 24th Street location will also serve a $35 pre fixe dinner both nights. // CJM, 736 Mission St. (SoMa); $75, reservations available at squareup.com. Wise Sons, 3150 24th St. (Mission), $35, reservations available at opentable.com, wisesonsdeli.com.
The Pasta Shop
Head down to The Pasta Shop at Rockridge Market Hall for all of your Passover needs. An entire Kosher menu includes such delicacies as chopped liver, roasted lamb bones, and savory vegetable kugel—you don't need to lift a finger except to place your order no later than Tuesday, March 27th at noon. Pick up your goodies at your leisure between March 28th and 31st. // Rockridge Market Hall: 5655 College Ave. (Oakland), rockridgemarkethall.com
Comal
Nosh on multi-course family-style dinners with Mexican flair at Comal April 2nd and 3rd. Executive chef Matt Gandin infuses traditional Passover dishes with some spice—think rod cod fish cakes with chipotle aioli; lamb barbacoa quesadilla with Anaheim chiles; beef brisket in adobo; and mandarin orange raspado with tequila whipped crema. Dinners will incorporate rice, beans and corn into the meal and forego haggadah readings for lively conversation at the communal table. // 2020 Shattuck Ave. (Berkeley), comalberkeley.com; $80 tickets are available at ticketfly.com.
Perbacco
If you're down for a slightly unorthodox approach to Passover, pull up a chair at Perbacco. The fine dining Italian restaurant will be offering a special menu that delicately balances Italian cuisine with traditional Jewish dishes (thanks to the input of famed chef Joyce Goldstein) such as Passover soup with chicken dumplings and eggs. // Perbacco, 230 California St. (FiDi), perbaccosf.com
Canela Bistro and Winebar
Want your Passover meal to have a Mediterranean flair? From March 30th through April 7th, Canela will be offering a four-course prix fixe Passover menu ($69/person) with matzo ball soup with farfel, dill and mixed picked vegetables; chilled smoked whitefish spread with chive matzo and haroset; braised short ribs with tzimmes, parsnip puree and horseradish vinaigrette; and house-made chocolate almond cake with coconut cream and caramel. // Canela, 2272 Market St. (Duboce Triangle), canelasf.com
One Market Restaurant
Indulge in chef Mark Dommen's chicken matzo ball soup for their 25th anniversary this year. Available March 30th through April 6ths, this is one way to pay homage to all the bubbies, near and far. // One Market Restaurant, 1 Market St. (Embarcadero), onemarket.com
Marla Bakery
If it's your sweet tooth that gives you the most trouble during Passover, Marla Bakery has a delectable dessert menu including flourless chocolate torte with candied orange and coconut macaroons (with or without chocolate). Available from March 30th through April 7th, simply place your order online and head down to one of their locations to pick it up. No muss, no fuss! // Marla Bakery, 3619 Balboa St. (Outer Richmond) and Ferry Building, Kiosk 52 (Embarcadero), marlabakery.com