Here are a few restaurants that are coming soon. First, Union Square is going to have yet another new project (in addition to ONE65) opening this fall: FREDS AT BARNEYS NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO, opening in the top floor of the store. Chef Mark Strausman’s menu will feature classics from Barneys New York, such as Estelle’s chicken soup, Fred’s chopped chicken salad, and pizza margherita, plus some locally inspired additions. Steven Harris Architects and Lalire March Architects are creating a showstopping space, featuring a 36-foot-long faceted mirror lining the back bar in the lounge area and a dining area in the corner, with views of Union Square from the original historic windows. There will be 64 seats, with 17 in the lounge and 13 at the bar. Stand by for opening updates. 77 O’Farrell St. at Stockton.
Michael Mina and Hawaiian chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka and Wade Ueoka of Honolulu’s MW Restaurant will be opening TRAILBLAZER TAVERN, a Hawaiian-inspired restaurant in the Salesforce East building this November. The menu will span pupus (snacks), dim sum, salads, sashimi, and crudos, plus noodle and rice dishes, sandwiches, seafood, and large meat plates for sharing.
The 7,000-square-foot restaurant includes a mezzanine with room for up to 72 guests, overlooking the Salesforce lobby. The main dining room and bar will feature 34-foot-high ceilings with 24 seats at the bar and an additional 47 seats at tables, banquette seating, booths, and flex tables. A private dining space will have room for up to 18 guests, and there’s a spacious outdoor patio that will offer seating for 54 guests (with heaters and strung lighting), plus accordion-style doors on the ground level that can open on nicer days.
You’ll feel mahalo vibes in the Hawaiian-inspired bar, with a list of tropical cocktails, along with local and Hawaiian beers, a boutique wine list, and a special selection of bourbon and Japanese whisky. 350 Mission St. at Fremont.
The new owner of the Payne Mansion at 1409 Sutter is going to be opening THE 1881 RESTAURANT, featuring seasonal Cal-French cuisine from chef Jean-Paul Peluffo, with dishes like diver-harvested scallops with turmeric leek fondue and Makrut lime beurre blanc. He was most recently brought on to update the Le Colonial menu and was the chef at Le Bistro for 10 years. Fun fact: Peluffo holds three master’s degrees. Owner Bernard Rosenson is also French, as well the GM, so you know the wine program is also going to be a big point of attention, along with a cocktail menu and local craft beers.
Timothy Quillen is designing the space, which will feature historic materials, colors, and furniture, with room for 90 in the dining room, 6 at the bar, and 14 on an outdoor patio. Look for a fall opening. Dinner will be served nightly 5:30pm-10pm, with weekend brunch and high tea coming later. There is also a hotel that is part of the property. 1409 Sutter St. at Franklin.
Another fall opening is COMMONS CLUB, at the new Virgin Hotels San Francisco coming to SoMa, which began taking reservations for stays starting on November 15, 2018 (the first opened in Chicago in 2016). The chef is Adrian Garcia (most recently consulting for Stonemill Matcha, previously chef de cuisine at Quince, and he also worked at Benu). He’s going to be creating a technique-driven, globally inspired menu designed to share, with hyperlocal California ingredients. The restaurant is supposed to feel like a modern social club; stand by for details in coming months. 250 4th St. at Folsom.
There’s also a taker for the long-shuttered Oro space at Mint Plaza: the co-owner of Burma Superstar, Desmond Tan, is going to be opening a Burmese restaurant in the location (possibly BURMACLUB). He’ll be updating the space, moving the bar, and hopes to open in four months. Will keep you posted. Let’s hope the employment situation and policies have been tightened up since the labor lawsuit brought against Tan and Burma Superstar in 2016. 8 Mint Plaza at Jessie. [Inside Scoop.]
A rendering of the upcoming Freds at Barneys New York San Francisco. Rendering courtesy of Barneys New York San Francisco.
