Back in April, I mentioned changes were afoot at the Capri restaurant space in the Castro. Taking its place will be CANELA, a Spanish-style restaurant from owners Mat Schuster (who has run cooking schools at Draeger’s and Whole Foods Markets), and Paco Cifuentes (who is Spanish, and will be featuring recipes from his mother).
The menu will include small plates of traditional Spanish dishes, like tortilla de patata, gambas al ajillo, croquetas de jamón, Spanish clams, albondigas, and meat and cheese platters, plus cocas (Spanish-style flatbreads)—but they will be making them with cheese, with toppings like Spanish sausage or sofrito. Because Lord knows, we all love some cheese. There will also be sandwiches, like grilled chicken and Manchego with smoked paprika aioli, and lomo (pork loin) with aioli and pickled onion; vegetarian options will also be available. Salads will range from the healthy to the hearty, and homemade soups will always be on the menu. Gazpacho, you know it. There will be an in-house baker responsible for all the bread doughs, plus not-very-Spanish treats like cakes, cookies, pie, and other sweets.
Lunch and dinner will be served daily, but the owners also want the space to be available to people who just want to swing by for a coffee (both espresso and pour-over coffee will be available) or tea, or perhaps a small bite. To go along with your meal, there will be a number of cavas and cava-based cocktails, along with Spanish and California wines. The 49-seat restaurant is getting new tables and all new surfaces, including recovered banquettes and wallpaper, and will feature a communal table and a bar counter. Look for an opening in about six weeks. Hours will be Sun-Thu 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12am (hours subject to change later on). 2272 Market St. at 16th St., 415-552-3000.
