The Marina has a new spot for dumplings, DUMPLING UNION, with spicy pork xiao long bao (along with four other kinds of XLB), boiled pork and cabbage, siu mai, and an eclectic menu of dishes like hot & sour soup, tom yum seafood soup, Sichuan dan dan noodles, and kung pao chicken. Open Wed-Mon 11:30am-3pm and 5pm-9pm. 1809 Union St. at Octavia.
The former Kezar Bar and Restaurant (since 1989) just had an extensive nine-month redo, now stepping out as COLE VALLEY TAVERN. Owner Jim Angelus (Bacon Bacon, former GM of E&O Trading Co and Pacific Catch) has relaunched the cocktail menu under bar manager Maxwell Salvati, while chef Lacie Smith is overseeing a menu of West Coast comfort food, with tavern classics like buffalo wings and burgers, plus cioppino, bay shrimp gratin dip, and French onion soup grilled cheese. Their great fries continue on! There’s also a new to-go window, serving soft-serve ice cream, featuring the British classic 99 Flake. Hours to start are Mon-Wed 4pm-11pm, Thu-Sat 4pm-12am, and Sunday will feature a pop-up from chef Seamus Gibney out of Oakland: Cod Damn Fish & Chips (the bar will also be open for service); brunch is coming soon. Outdoor seating is available. 900 Cole St. at Carl.
There’s a new Tunisian restaurant that just opened in the FiDi, and it’s not fast-casual! The menu at DAR FATMA includes breakfast dishes like shakshuka, while lunch has merguez sausage with tastira (peppers and eggs) and fries; three kinds of salads; chicken, lamb, or kefta skewers with rice; couscous; shawarma and burgers; and lamb mosli tajine. There are tables inside and on the sidewalk. Open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm and 5pm-8:30pm/9pm or so, and Sat 5pm-9pm. 201 Pine St. at Battery.
Great news in the Mission: the former Revolution Cafe location has been reopened as IVORY & VINE, a wine and piano bar with Greek mezzes from Chris Nickolopoulos, who owns the charming Linden & Laguna in Hayes Valley. What’s amazing is The Rev used to be called Papa Toby’s Revolution Cafe, and Linden & Laguna was Momi Toby’s Revolution Cafe, a sister business. It’s kismet. He has a baby grand from the neighborhood church installed in the place, and is on the board of the Golden Gate Symphony, so it looks like the location’s bohemian and musical roots will sprout once again. Read more in this post in Mission Local. Open Wed-Thu 4pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-12am, Sun 4pm-10pm (kitchen closes at 10pm nightly). 3248 22nd St. at Bartlett.
Spicy XLB at the new Dumpling Union. Photo courtesy of Dumpling Union.
