It's a new month, which means it's time for your cheat sheet on five brand-new places that just opened around town. Grab a reservation before everyone else does.
Fans of Indian flavors and spices will want to beeline to this restaurant (sister to the their first location in San Mateo). Owners Sachin Chopra and Shoshana Wolff originally opened Game a few months ago in the former Masa’s location, but when the concept didn’t pan out, they shut it down and decided to stick with what they know, which is All Spice and their American spin on Indian flavors. We’re talking about dishes like slow-poached Mt. Lassen trout with carrot-ginger cream, various beet textures, and peashoots; or maple and smoked chile-cured pork belly with preserved yuzu kimchi, miso chip, and frisee. Yes, it sounds quite delicious. All Spice opens on this Friday, March 13. 648 Bush (at Powell), 415-874-9481
Dim sum fanatics cheered upoin hearing news that the Ng family, the team behind the famed Koi Palace in Daly City, planned on opening this new spot in the Outer Richmond. The menu features some dim sum classics, like xiao long bao and taro puffs, but look for some innovative dishes too (like sea bass dumplings). As for dinner, you’ll find an extensive hot pot selection, which includes choices like Kobe beef, mussels, calamari, fresh shrimp balls, and winter melon, plus cooked dishes are included too. As you can imagine, word is out on this place, so it’s getting a bit crushed while they sort things out—in other words, patience is a virture at Dragon Beaux (or just give it some more time). Oh, and the decor is quite swish. Hours: dim sum lunch Mon–Fri 11am–3pm and Sat–Sun 10am–4pm, hot pot dinner Sun–Thu 5:30pm–10:30pm, Fri–Sat 5:30pm–11:30pm. 5700 Geary (at 21st Avenue), 415-333-8899.
Anyone craving a New Jersey–style pizza, a good chopped salad (with salami, provolone, and peperoncini, of course), or a meatball sandwich will be pretty fired up with this new casual Italian place in SoMa. Even if you haven’t been craving these items, you’ll find plenty to love on the menu, like a baby kale and romaine Caesar, pappardelle with guanciale Bolognese, or a California-style pizza bianca. The wine list has plenty of quality choices, and there are good beers too—no surprise since owners Mitchell and Steven Rosenthal (of Town Hall) make it a point to pay homage to their Jersey upbringing. Also, they take reservations. Open for lunch during the week, and dinner all week and Saturday night too. 145 2nd Street (at Mission), 415-912-1502
Here’s another story of a pop-up that eventually made its way into a brick-and-mortar location. Chef Michael Mauschbaugh has created a cozy space that reads a touch romantic (its vintage aesthetic feels similar to Heirloom on Folsom), and would work well for a date, although solo diners have a counter perfect for perching (or at the wood communal table). His menu features many French bistro classics, from steak tartare to housemade charcuterie (although these dishes tasted a bit restrained on my last visit). One classic that really stands out is his boudin blanc; and fans of duck cassoulet will enjoy the lighter version he's known for here (there’s also a really good bavette steak au poivre). The menu of aperitifs is a worthy place to start, and there are plenty of French wines to help you feel very ooh-la-la. One more thing to note: you don’t have to worry about tax and tip here; it’s all built into the price already. Dinner Mon–Sat; 2704 24th Street (at Potrero), 415-874-9831
Sunset Reservoir Brewing Company
The Outer Sunset is pretty happy with the opening of this 160-seat and two-level neighborhood restaurant and brewpub by Hilary Passman Cherniss of Devil’s Teeth Baking Company. It’s meant to be a casual and family-friendly spot, but adults have a full bar and a double patty burger to make them happy too. The menu also has three different salads (gotta love a Cobb), grilled flatbreads, and a roasted half chicken with polenta and chile jus. As for the brews, you’ll find five house beers: dry Irish stout, wheat, double IPA, extra pale, and rye amber. Hours: Mon–Thu 12pm–10pm, Fri–Sat 12pm–11pm, Sun 10am–3pm and then 5pm–10pm (limited 3pm–5pm); 1735 Noriega (at 24th Avenue), 415-571-8452
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.
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