After launching with their weekend picnic baskets, MARLENA RESTAURANT on Precita Park in Bernal has opened for outdoor dining Thu-Sat 5pm-9pm and Sun 5pm-8pm. You can get some duck jus poured tableside, yeehaw. Check out their $49, four-course menu here, and read up past details about the project here. 300 Precita Ave. at Folsom.
As I first mentioned in tablehopper back in August, KIN KHAO was going to be opening in the former Noon All Day in Dogpatch, and it’s now open for outdoor dining on their terrace (fast-casual style) or takeout. Menu here—check out that Thai iced tea slushie. Wed-Sun 12pm-8pm. 690 Indiana St. at 19th St.
While I was trying out the Terrace at Palette a couple weeks ago, I spotted some friends who just had drinks at the brand-new BUENA VIDA CANTINA in the former Oola. Chef Eric Hopfinger’s menu includes tacos (including fish tacos), burritos, ceviche, chicken tortilla soup, salads, queso dip, and a hamburguesa, while the cocktails by Janice Bailon look so very delicious: how about a Jalisco Martini, made with Espolòn blanco, Mexican greens vermouth (tomatillo, cucumber, cilantro), smoked achiote, and housemade Tajín! There’s a spacious parklet where you can enjoy your cocktail and chile relleno, and they also offer delivery via DoorDash. Open Tue-Sat 4pm-10pm. 860 Folsom St. at 5th St.
Last week, I noticed on Instagram that Nashville hot chicken spot HOTBIRD had soft-opened in a temporary commissary kitchen in the Twitter building while their space continues its buildout, and started serving a limited number of their hot chicken sandwich for pre-order. Eater has more on the backstory here (they started in Oakland as a truck). For now, you can pre-order Tue-Sat 11:30am-3pm until sold out; additional dishes to come soon. Follow them on Instagram for updates. 1355 Market St. Ste. 180 at 9th St.
The Castro’s SAUCY ASIAN, a fast-casual spot that makes Korean-inspired “super fusion” bowls, burritos, tacos, and more is opening a second location in FiDi/Embarcadero in conjunction with a company called Reef Kitchens. Reef operates on a pickup and delivery-only model, so they will be accepting orders through all major third-party food ordering platforms 11am-3pm and 4pm-12am. You can pick up food at 365 Pacific Ave. at Sansome.
Another fusion-y combo: tablehopper tipster (thanks, Karen!) sent in an update that EL COREANO, serving Korean-Mexican dishes, has moved into the Buttermilk Southern Kitchen space in the Mission, and is now open. Their delivery menu on Seamless includes bento boxes (so, Japanese too) with katsu and spicy pork bulgogi, plus burritos, tacos, tortas, and more. Available Tue-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm, for delivery and takeout. Former tablehopper associate editor Dana Eastland (meow!) did some extra-sleuthing for me, and said the Buttermilk menu is also up in the window, offering their Southern dishes like fried chicken, BBQ ribs, country-fried steak, and more (with two sides). The gravy thickens… 2848 23rd St. at Bryant.
Marlena’s week-aged bluefin tuna with compressed cucumber gazpacho, avocado mousse, smoked soy, extra virgin olive oil. Photo courtesy of Marlena.
