Some quick updates of projects that are coming soon…
A hopper reader let me know the folks at THE EPICUREAN TRADER have taken over the lease from La Boulangerie next door to their location on Union Street, and will be opening the walls between the two spaces to expand their grocery offerings, as well as have a full café and wine bar. But first, they plan to open their Ferry Building wine bar in just a few weeks (which was delayed by the pandemic), then an alfresco Ferry Building wine bar in the former Viva La Tarte space, with expanded outdoor seating around July 1st; Union Street is likely mid-July.
At all locations: in the mornings, they will focus on espresso drinks, health-driven smoothies, pastries (Tartine and Craftsman & Wolves, including The Rebel Within), breakfast sandwiches, bagel sandwiches, açai bowls, parfaits, and more, while lunch will bring European-style baguette sandwiches, toasted panini, empanadas, and salads. Evenings will bring a selection of four different styles of cheese and charcuterie platters: French, Italian, Spanish, and local-themed; crostini and gourmet conservas, tapenades, and more that they sell in their retail market, all designed to pair with DIY spritz flights (sparkling wine served with a selection of seasonal shrubs, syrups, and garnishes for you to play around with and make your own creations), local and natural wines (including a local wine flight with esoteric varietals), local craft beers, sake, and low (and no-ABV) cocktails with wine-based aperitifs, vermouth, and sherry as the base. These wine bars will be a great place to meet a friend for a glass and some small bites before eating at a local restaurant in the Ferry Building, Hayes Valley, or Cow Hollow, or a great place for to enjoy wine and cheese. Stand by for opening updates.
I have been a huge fan of Clint and Yoko of pop-up Noodle in a Haystack’s incredible ramen they have been cooking out of their Daly City home for years, and couldn’t be happier with the news that they have found a brick-and-mortar location in SF! They’ll be opening in the recently closed Konomama location on Geary. Look for an opening this fall; they will continue with their coursed menu format (I miss those deviled eggs!) and offer two seatings a night. This couple needs our support to get this project off the ground, so please check out their Kickstarter, which will get you priority seating perks and more. Read more on their Kickstarter page and in this piece in the Chronicle. 4601 Geary Blvd. at 10th Ave.
[UPDATE: Due to an incorrect ABC listing, it ends up The Brixton will not be opening a location in Hayes Valley, but it will be a new pub/tavern concept from Hat Trick Hospitality in the fall, name TBA.] According to ABC license activity, THE BRIXTON will be opening a third location in the Stacks location in Hayes Valley. They’re transferring a Type 47 license—from Brick & Mortar Music Hall, which is supposedly reopening soon, huh—which means The Brixton will have full liquor to accompany their bar food-driven menu and brunch. 501 Hayes St. at Octavia.
Berkeley’s DARYOUSH PERSIAN CUISINE is bringing their koobideh to San Francisco’s Chinatown/Union Square at 580 Bush St. at Stockton.
A tablehopper reader sent me a photo of a “specialty Italian pasta shop” coming to Divisadero called PASTA BROS., offering fresh pasta, sauces, pizza, ready-to-eat meals, and dessert. I couldn’t find many details online, but we know they aren’t Italian since they mention “raviolis” on their sign (ravioli is already plural), so we’ll just have to see what happens over there, LOL. 1734 Divisadero St. at Bush.
The Epicurean Trader’s location in Cow Hollow. Photo via Instagram.