The reopening of TOSCA in North Beach under chef Nancy Oakes, Anna Weinberg, and Ken Fulk was happening in takeout boxes, but they smartly decided to pivot the party to the garden courtyard of Ken Fulk’s Saint Joseph’s Art Society in SoMa. Called Summer at Saint Joe’s, guests can book dinner Thu-Sat (two seatings per evening, 5:30pm and 8:30pm) and Sunday lunch (coming soon) in the Italian palazzo garden—complete with lemon and grapefruit trees—with Oakes cooking “delicious, easy Italian classic dishes—and lots of wine!” (thanks to guest sommelier Shelley Lindgren).
The four-course, family-style menu features summery dishes, like a Calabrian Caesar and crostata romanesco, A16 has their pizza oven fired up (serving a “Tosca Napoletana” pizza every night), and a main course like swordfish with roasted tomatoes and capers or a mixed grill. To finish, you can enjoy a limoncello Italian gelato served from a cart, molto carino. Greg Lindgren (Rye, Rye on the Road) will be offering Italian-inspired cocktails and yes, the Tosca Cappuccino is on the menu. It all sounds like an alfresco summer dream (even though we’re stuck in SF), and there will even be North Beach musicians and artists who will perform nightly—you can support the talent on your check. Dinner is $85 (exclusive of beverage, tax, and service charge). Reservations only. 1401 Howard St. at 10th St.
How about some good news for you Mission residents and frequenters of Dolores Park? NOPALITO has opened their takeout window on 18th Street in the Bi-Rite Creamery building, Wed-Sun 12pm-8pm. Takeout orders can be placed at the window or on Caviar for delivery (and pick-up). On the menu: their amazing totopos topped with carnitas (!), a salad, tacos, or a rice-and-bean bowl with your choice of carnitas, chicken, or mushrooms with huitlacoche, cherry tomato pico de gallo, guacamole, and cilantro. You can also get a pound of carnitas for home. Provecho! 3690 18th St. at Dolores.
Open in Hayes Valley in The Absinthe Group’s former Arlequin Cafe is ARBOR, which has had quite the redo (I dig the late 70s/early 80s color palette and woven cane vibe). Sadly, the back patio isn’t open yet, but they have a few tables out front and are focused on takeout and delivery for the moment. The casual menu is full of plant-based options, from vegetable starters and salads to almond-chia seed pudding in the morning—but there’s also a Cobb salad, cheeseburger (featuring Cream Co. grass-fed beef), and a fried chicken sandwich that looks very crispy for meat-eaters. For dessert, you can have Double 8 Dairy soft-serve, or plant-based soft-serve from Eclipse. Beer, wine, and more are available—with Arlequin Wine Merchant right there, you have one heck of a bottle list. Hours for now are Wed-Sun 12pm-8pm. 384 Hayes St. at Gough.
Over in the East Bay, I am so happy to see EL GARAGE open their brick and mortar at 1428 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond (their quesabirria tacos are just beyond—and you get three for just $12)—but you need to pre-order on Wed for pickup Fri-Sun, plan accordingly. Things have been a bit bonkers, so maybe give them a couple weeks to iron out the kinks. (Read more in Eater.)
The new MASABAGA in Oakland has some groovy tuna belly burgers you should read about and will then want to try.
Be sure to follow @tablehopper on Instagram for reopening announcements in my daily Stories, like Souvla and Maison Danel!
A peek at the outdoor terrace outside Saint Joseph’s Art Society (the location for Summer at Saint Joe’s). Instagram photo via @saintjosephsartsociety.
