Great news, momo lovers: the third location of BINI’S KITCHEN is now open as a kiosk in the La Cocina Municipal Marketplace. Pre-pandemic, Binita “Bini” Pradhan, had initially planned to open her kiosk with the other six La Cocina Marketplace businesses, but decided to hold off and focus on her two other locations until the time was right. She will be serving lunch on weekdays from 11am-2:30pm, offering a similar Nepali menu to her other locations, including her well-known Nepali dumplings (momos), and combo meals with dishes like her Gurkha chicken (chicken thighs stewed in yogurt, tomatoes, and Bini’s Kitchen house spice blend), kwati (Nepali-style, nine-bean chili), housemade paneer, and more. FYI, her Montgomery Street location is set to reopen later this summer. 101 Hyde St. at Golden Gate.
Did you know SHANGHAI DUMPLING KING has opened a location in Duboce Triangle? Yes, the longtime dumpling joint known for their xiao long bao (Shanghai soup dumplings), plus pan-fried bao, steamed dumplings, Beijing-style boiled dumplings, cold tofu salad, and famed sugar egg puffs (although sadly I don’t see them on the menu here, they must not have a fryer)! Their Outer Richmond location on Balboa closed back in 2018 (the original owner sold the business and then things went downhill—it reopened as Bao Bao Noodle, which is now closed), and there’s still an SDK location on Monterey Blvd. in Sunnyside, which I honestly haven’t trekked to, so I’m happy to see this new location. No idea how the quality here compares to the original, and I couldn’t confirm if it’s the same ownership with ABC licenses, and they’re closed on Tuesdays, so it will just need to be checked out in person! SDK took over the short-lived New Cathay Express. Open Mon and Wed-Sun 11am-2:30pm and 4:30pm-9pm. 720 14th St. at Church.
In February, I was the first to report about MONTESACRO opening a new location in the Marina, and it’s now open and slinging eight kinds of pinsa for the neighborhood. Since they have a full kitchen here, you’ll see an expanded menu, with some delicious-sounding pasta dishes (like fettuccine alla vignarola: artichokes, spring onion, peas, fava beans, or the simple but perfect rigatoni burro e Parmigiano, with 36-month Vacche Rosse Parmigiano and demi-sel butter), plus some lamb chops, rice-stuffed tomatoes, and whole fish. There’s also a full bar and weekend brunch. It’s spacious, with 75 seats or so, including some outdoor seating. Open Tue-Fri 11:30am-3pm and 5pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am-3pm and 5pm-10pm; happy hour is coming soon. 3317 Steiner St. at Chestnut.
This is a bit of an unexpected location, but a fourth SCOTT’S CHOWDER HOUSE has opened on Fillmore Street in the former Black Bark BBQ. You’ll find affordably priced seafood dishes like chowders (Boston, Manhattan, lobster bisque, and a vegan version), plus a lobster roll, crab roll, fish and chips, local oysters (fresh and BBQ style), mussels, and grilled fish. The project is from Steve Mayer, chef Sammy Reyes, chef Laurent Manrique, Olivier Daridon, and chef Patrick Albert, who have teamed up with chef Michael Mann (who will head up the kitchen and was most recently at Prospect Restaurant). Open Tue-Sat 4pm-10pm; lunch is coming later. 1325 Fillmore St. at Eddy.
The former Wine Kitchen on Divis is now another location of CURRY AND KABAB, serving Indian pizza; classic chicken, lamb, and seafood curries; dishes from the tandoori oven; biryani; and more. Open 11am-10pm. 507 Divisadero St. at Fell. [Via Hoodline]
Was happy to see on Instagram that founder Nabeel Silmi, Kimberly Kim, and Adrian Lopez got their second café open, GRAND COFFEE TOO on Mission Street. Stand by for some new drinks coming soon; you can take a peek at some pics on Eater. Open Mon-Fri 7am-5pm and Sat-Sun 8am-6pm. 2544 Mission St. at 21st St.
Bini’s famed momos (with the magical, inimitable spicy tomato-cilantro sauce). Photo: Eric Wolfinger
