Some exciting expansion news for SF restaurants, starting with the Roman ~MONTESACRO~, which is opening a second location in the Marina in the former Karaweik Burmese Cuisine. Known for bringing pinsas to the city (and their fantastic wine list), this latest Montesacro has a full kitchen, so they’ll be able to expand the menu offering to include pasta dishes and Italian brunch on the weekend. While there will be some classic Roman dishes on the menu (like carbonara, oxtail), they’ll be featuring traditional dishes and ingredients from other regions as well, like ribollita, pasta fagioli, and a special pasta al burro e Parmigiano, with high-quality French butter and 36-month-old Parmigiano Reggiano Vacche Rosse (think comfort food with elevated ingredients). There will also be some vegan entrées, and Jacopo Rosito is working on some non-alcoholic cocktails (they’re opening with beer and wine, and may look into full liquor down the road). It’s going to be more like their awesome location in Brooklyn, which is also expansive in its offering. They’re planning to open in the springtime, after a remodel. There will be 75 seats or so, including outdoor seating. 3317 Steiner St. at Chestnut.
Some additional updates: owner Gianluca Legrottaglie has bought out 54 Mint partner Claudio Ricciolini (he retired and moved back to Umbria), and is bringing chef Mattia Marcelli and bar manager extraordinaire Jacopo Rosito into partnership. They’ll be working on the new Montesacro Marina together, as well as converting 54 MINT WALNUT CREEK into a Montesacro (they’re joining forces with partner Daniele Carsano on that project, who is also behind the popular Casa Barotti in Berkeley). The Walnut Creek location will start a remodel in four-six weeks, and then construction should last for a month or so if everything goes according to plan. This location also has outdoor seating, and will have Jacopo and Mattia’s touch on the food and beverage menu development. Exciting times for the team. In bocca al lupo!
Another popular Italian restaurant is expanding: Hoodline has the details about POESIA in the Castro, which is taking over the recently closed Réveille Coffee next door and opening Poesia Café. Owner Francesco d’Ippolito will be opening a café, serving coffee and pastries in the morning and sandwiches and salads at lunch, which customers will be able to enjoy on Poesia’s attached back patio. In the evening, starting at 5pm, the café will offer overflow seating, and be a place to grab a glass of wine and a bite (they’re going to get a beer and wine license for the space). D’Ippolito also decided to redo the interior of the café and the 13-year-old restaurant at the same time since both needed an update—the restaurant reopens this Thursday February 3rd. Look for the café opening in mid-March. 4076 18th St. at Castro.
Opening this Thursday February 3rd in Chinatown is LITTLE JANE from Amanda Michael of Jane the Bakery and Jane cafés. This teeny-tiny, Deco-tiled location is going to be more like an outpost, offering coffee, pastries, cookies, bread, packaged goods like their granola, tea, and coffee, and exclusive items baked just for the shop, like persimmon puffs and caramelized pineapple kouign amann (these items will rotate seasonally).
Michael grew up above the Broadway Tunnel, and loved exploring the Chinatown neighborhood. With so many dark storefronts due to the pandemic, she was approached by a building owner to open a location in the neighborhood, and is excited to help be part of building back the neighborhood she deeply adores. Since the baking team won’t be on-site in this tiny location, they’ll be represented in a mural by a local artist in the space. It’s too small for seating, but she hopes people will grab lunch or a treat and go sit in the park (or head back to their desk, once the Financial District starts to pick back up). Hours will be Thu-Sun 10am-6pm to start—she wants to see how to best serve the neighborhood and make adjustments. Follow their Instagram for updates. 752 Grant Ave. at Sacramento.
Kevin Lieu, owner of the chicken-rice joint GAI in the Castro has expanded to Mid-Market, opening in the former Homeskillet space. Look for both an expanded menu and seating. Read more here. 1001 Market St. at 6th St. [Via Hoodline]
The Quadraro pinsa at Montesacro. All photos: © tablehopper.com.
