By Dana Eastland: After our mention last week of the drama going on with Castro landlord Les Natali and the potential closure of ZAPATA, it appears the long-standing Mexican restaurant may be allowed to stay where they are—for another year, at least. Hoodline reports that Natali and Zapata’s owner Jorge Perez have reached a verbal agreement to extend the lease for a year, which would allow them to save some money and find a new location before leaving their current spot. 4150 18th St. at Church, 415-861-4470.
Yelpers are reporting that there’s a new café for smoothies, shakes, and other raw and vegan items in the Financial District. It’s called ELIXIRIA, and the menu offers smoothies, açai bowls, a parfait made with coconut “yogurt,” nut milk blends, and fresh cold-pressed juices. Don’t worry, they have coffee too. Hours are Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, 628-444-3149.
Noe Valley has a new corner spot called NEIGHBOR’S CORNER, according to Yelpers. They are serving coffee from Andytown Coffee Roasters, as well as daily changing pastries like a roasted persimmon crème fraîche coffee cake and pear custard cake. They also offer flowers from FloralCultural Society and frozen custard. Right now, they are softly open and hours are Wed-Fri 8am-7pm and Sat-Sun 8am-3pm. 499 Douglass St. at 21st St., no phone.
After an unfortunate closure in September, it looks like ~BODEGA BISTRO~ has reopened according to a post on Facebook. Hopefully whatever issue they had with the Health Department has been sorted out—permanently.
Hopper (hangover) breakfast sandwich fave LOU’S CAFE has opened a third location, and this time it’s not even in the Avenues—it’s right downtown in the Financial District. Yelpers report the same sandwiches, including the outrageous breakfast sandwich, and easy call-ahead ordering. 100 Pine St. at Front (entrance on Front), 415-283-4777.
The former Chai-Yo on Polk is now BEN THAI CAFE. They are serving home-style Thai food, with influences from both China and Indonesia. The owners are a brother and sister raised in San Francisco by two first-generation Thai parents, one of Chinese heritage and the other Indonesian, and the menu reflects their mom’s melting pot-style of cooking. They are also rocking a solid beer list, with two rotating craft beers on tap and bottle selections like Almanac Saison Dolores and Ninkasi Tricerahops double IPA. 1331 Polk St. at Austin, 415-771-2562.
The coconut “yogurt” parfait at Elixiria. Yelp photo by Elaine N.
