what’s cookin’
Hello, hopper peeps. It’s time for some spring in your step. I hope that you’ve been able to do some restaurant exploring, thanks to SF Restaurant Week (it runs through Sunday April 13th)! On Friday, I had a fun SFRW dinner at The Tailor’s Son on Fillmore—I’m usually pretty tired of seeing the same old kampachi crudo on menus, but their punchy version with grapefruit, Fresno chilies, garlic chips, and micro arugula was like it watched The White Lotus and decided to take a trip to Thailand. I was happy to pair it with their Sbagliato Burano (made with Kina L’Aéro d’Or, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Prosecco, and grapefruit bitters) and kick off the weekend in an energetic room full of guests. Cin-cin!
Over the weekend, I was visiting my parents for an early dinner in San Mateo, and we went to check out the newly opened Amara in Belmont, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant from the talented duo behind Saffron and Rasa (Ajay Walia and Reena Miglani). The light-filled restaurant is so atmospheric and downright gorgeous, with a sumptuous and vibrant style (the green marble bar island is so fab). They’re opening their dreamy garden seating this Wednesday—you’ll want to be out there by the creek sipping their fantastic and refreshing Hadar Spritz while enjoying their muhammara and freshly baked pita, grilled Gulf shrimp with harissa yogurt, barbecue lamb short ribs with a flavor-boosted garlic tahini sauce, and don’t miss the supple, goat-stuffed gozleme bread. Baklava sundae for dessert is a must. This place is a stunna—stand by for my pics on @tablehopper.
A quick urban PSA that really takes the cake: last week, I booked a courier on Uber to pick up a tonka bean cheesecake from Basuku, who just did a drop of their fab Basque cheesecakes at Dolores Deluxe. My courier went to pick it up, and then I saw him on the app just sitting there for about 10 minutes—then he started ignoring my messages, and then he canceled the ride. I was like, mofo just stole my cake! The store was closed by that point, so the next day, Dolores Deluxe confirmed the driver came in to retrieve it, and sure enough, he took the cake! I ordered again (a slice this time), and amazingly, Uber courier number two took the slice and then ended the ride! I couldn’t believe it. Twice? But it goes to show that Basuku cheesecakes are so good that people will jeopardize their employment for a bite! I reported both incidents to Uber, and they still haven’t resolved anything, so those two thieves may very well still be on their platform. I’m telling you this story as a cautionary tale: if you have something irreplaceable, of sentimental value, or worth more than $50, I wouldn’t trust Uber courier anymore. So shady!
Well, heck, every successive day, things manage to hit the next level of batshit-crazy and fucked up in our world. It’s horrifying to feel like we’re hopelessly watching broligarch fascists trample democracy and personal freedom and safety while tanking the economy and destroying international relations and the environment, so that’s when you need to hit the streets! This past weekend, millions of protestors marched around the nation for Hands Off!, and this Saturday April 12th is the People’s March to Fight Fascism for Democracy. Juanita MORE! and Alex U. Inn have come together once again to organize this march and rally supporting everyone under attack by the current government administration. Here’s more: “We are assembling a coalition of young progressive officials, faith leaders, teachers, trans-leaders, immigrants, BIPOC, artists, the disenfranchised, and anyone else who feels they are subject to the unlawful policies of the new administration. Nobody should live in fear because of their color, faith, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, or political beliefs.” You can read more in this 48hills interview.
The march will start at Embarcadero Plaza (formerly Justin Herman Plaza) at Market Street and Steuart, and head to City Hall. 12pm–3pm; gather at 11:30am. Let’s come together, raise our voices and fists in the air, and show up for our community while strengthening our bonds. I hope to see you there!
Yours,
~Marcia
the chatterbox
Starting Monday, You Can Get Your Big Slice at the New Flour + Water Pizza Shop by the Ballpark
Due to open Monday April 14th is the Flour + Water Pizza Shop at Mission Rock, a quick-service offshoot from co-chefs Thomas McNaughton and Ryan Pollnow’s full-service Flour + Water Pizzeria in North Beach. Their sturdy pizzas were designed to travel well for delivery and takeout, and this location was also set up for ease of takeout and delivery (there’s a take-out window for preorders on Toni Stone Crossing Lane).
But, you can also grab a table (inside or outdoors at a shaded table) to enjoy your 13-inch cacio e pepe pizza or Big Slice onsite with a spritz. I’m a fan of their smoky eggplant pizza, and they make a truly great Hawaiian, with spicy capicola, pineapple, pickled Fresno chile, and chile crisp. A gluten-free, Silician-style square crust is available upon request for all full-sized pies.
Additional menu items include...
As for adult beverages, there are a couple wines by the glass and bottle from predominantly Italian producers, The Flour + Water Spritz (a collaboration with SF’s Veso Aperitifs), the restaurant’s signature boozy slushie, and a “Cheers to the Home Team” shot of Don Julio Blanco, as well as N/A options. The recently released Dough Boy house Kölsch beer, a collaboration with Temescal Brewing in Oakland, will be on draft. Look for the neon sign. Open daily 11:30am–9pm. 1090 Dr. Maya Angelou Lane.
Cheezy’s Artisan Pizza Is the Latest Addition at Saluhall, Bringing Creative Pies to Downtown
After some rocky times at Saluhall, with recent departures of vendors like La Venganza and Kayma, there are new food partners coming on (like the recently opened Smish Smash) who can hopefully drive more traffic to the beleaguered food hall. The latest opening is Cheezy’s Artisan Pizza, from award-winning chef and U.S. Pizza Team member David Jacobson and his longtime collaborator (since 2016) and girlfriend, Raluca Romero. Jacobson got his start as a pizza delivery driver, and has worked for two decades in Bay Area pizzerias (including Flour + Water Pizzeria, Pizzeria Delfina, Pizza My Heart, and recently at Acre). He has been both a competitor and judge in national and international pizza competitions, and now he’s launching his own project, named after his dog, Cheezy.
There will be three kinds of pizza: a crisp-yet-chewy neo-Neapolitan, and a thin, grandma-style square pizza that will both use a five-day, slow-fermented sourdough base (you can geek out on how they’re made here); and there’s a gluten-free version made with a blend of rice and corn starches, buckwheat flour, and psyllium husk. While you can go for a classic Margherita or a five-cheese, there’s also a housemade lamb merguez pizza featuring pickled Fresno peppers, halloumi, and walnut muhammara; a New Yorker with pepperoni and roasted garlic purée; and his award-winning Gold Rush, with six cheeses, fingerling potatoes, and pancetta; and there’s also a vegan pizza with Miyoko’s Cashew Creamery cashew mozz, potatoes, wild mushrooms, garlic confit, and spring garlic.
Everything features quality ingredients, and rotating seasonal specials and slices will be on offer. You can also get salads like a Caesar with housemade croutons and Spanish white anchovies, or a Greek with greens, feta, and olives. Open on Level 1. Mon–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9pm, and Sun 11am–7pm. 945 Market St.
A New Phở Shop Opens in the Former Turtle Tower in SoMa, Plus Dumplings and Noodles in the Inner Richmond
Opening Soon: Troya Tiburon
A peek at the upcoming Troya Tiburon. Photos courtesy of Troya.
by Savannah Leone Bundy
Pac Heights’ Mediterranean restaurant Troya just announced their plans to open a second location in Tiburon this spring. Owner Betul Kinalilar (a Marin County resident) is thrilled to expand the celebration of her Turkish heritage with this new venture, and plans to serve healthy Mediterranean cuisine all day, every day. The menu will feature authentic dishes—from Turkish breakfast to shakshuka to lamb shoulder to branzino to baklava—and a selection of wines and N/A beverages. The welcoming space has a chic style, with every detail considered. Once open, Troya Tiburon will operate daily for brunch and dinner from 10am–9pm. 1 Blackfield Dr. Suite 16, Tiburon.
Special Meals and Guest Chefs
Foreign Cinema has kicked off a guest chef series, celebrating iconic chefs who have made their mark on San Francisco Bay Area culinary history, but no longer have restaurants. Coming up on Thursday May 8th is chef Bruce Hill (I can’t wait to see what dishes he brings from Zero Zero, Bix, Picco/Pizzeria Picco, and Oritalia!), and then Jeremiah Tower returns to FC on September 25th for another sure-to-be-a-blowout meal, and the Cowgirl Creamery ladies (Sue Conley and Peggy Smith) will be in the house on October 16th. Dinners are à la carte with fun wine pairings, and signed cookbooks will be available for sale. You can make a reso via OpenTable up to 60 days in advance (not ticketed). 2534 Mission St.
Next weekend, I’m heading up to the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa for a blast of sun and pool time and Thai spice! For the month of April (through April 27th), chef Amanda Kuntee of Chao Krung Thai (one of the oldest Thai restaurants in the U.S.) and Ban Ban Burger in Los Angeles is popping up for Turntable at The Lazeaway Club, bringing her authentic Thai cuisine for dinner, and her popular Thai smash burgers (including her wagyu laab smash burger) for lunch. 2777 4th St., Santa Rosa.
Mucha Matcha-Cha
There are a couple new matcha shops around town, including Junbi Matcha & Tea, which just soft-launched in FiDi/Yerba Buena. According to the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, owners Brian and Amelia are Bay Area locals who decided to invest in San Francisco and bought three Junbi franchises. The OEWD spotted Junbi’s hiring announcement on Instagram and proactively helped the owners find and hire their first local employees so they could focus on opening. (More of this!) Since the location is close to Moscone Center, the couple sees the potential to draw convention-goers looking for something other than coffee. They opened with a line of customers ready to try their quality matcha drinks that use matcha from Uji, Japan. The grand opening party is April 12th. 685 Market St. at 3rd St.
Some Picks for Passover
Passover is running from April 12th–20th, and restaurants will be offering all kinds of special meals and seasonal items.
For the first five days of Passover (April 12th–16th), Delfina will be running a daily-changing menu that will feature Passover dishes inspired by la cucina ebraica, along with other modern takes on food from the Jewish diaspora. Everything is à la carte, so that you can create your own Passover adventure. (Please note: this is not a seder, and nothing is necessarily kosher for Passover.) Some sample dishes include their edible seder plate (lamb osso bucco, FCF egg salad crostini, charoset, upland cress, and herbs); the Stoll family matzoh ball soup; piccolo bollito misto (tongue, brisket, capon with salsa verde, and mostarda); and wild nettle farfalle with kasha and mushrooms. 3621 18th St.
And for your freezer: Pizzeria Delfina is offering the deeply restorative Stoll family matzoh ball soup—each matzoh ball features a walnut in the center (it’s part of their tradition), so if you have a nut allergy, nut-free matzoh balls are available upon request. The soup is sold frozen by the quart ($22) and available for pickup at Delfina and all Pizzeria Delfina locations and delivery from April 7th–20th, while supplies last.
Perbacco always celebrates Passover, and this year they’ll offer a special four-course menu that will be available alongside their complete dinner menu from Tuesday April 15th–Saturday April 19th. The Passover menu is $75 per person (beverages not included). There will be a selection of cocktails and Kosher wines for you to choose from for the occasion. Reservations can be made by clicking here or by calling 415-955-0663. 230 California St.
I noticed Iggy’s Place is offering a Passover to-go meal for four April 12th–13th (order by April 9th), menu here. 3519 Balboa St. at 36th Ave., 415-425-7795.
One Market is hosting a dedicated dinner for the first night of Pesach on Saturday April 12th, featuring Mark’s matzo ball soup (another one of my favorites in SF), smoked beef brisket with onion jus and spring vegetables, and a flourless chocolate cake with mixed berries. Fish and vegetarian options will also be available. For those observing throughout the week, the Passover menu will be available for both lunch and dinner from April 14th–18th, alongside One Market’s full menu. Guests can dine in or enjoy the meal at home with pick-up and delivery options. Pricing is $59 per person, with children’s portions available at half-price.
Buona Pasqua! Easter Menus and Seasonal Treats
Easter is Sunday April 20th (I know, on 4/20!), which are two of your hopper’s 🐇 favorite holidays, for obvious reasons. Whether you’re picking up a colomba pasquale 🕊️ or getting together for brunch, or just high for brunch, here are some ideas for you.
Potrero Hill’s La Connessa is hosting a festive Easter brunch, and the three-course, prix-fixe menu ($65) includes hot cross buns, burrata and roasted asparagus, and their fabulous eggs Benedict in their lovely dining room. Reserve here. 1695 Mariposa St.
54 Mint is hosting an Easter menu all day (12pm–8pm), featuring pizza pasquale (savory bread with cheese and crispy guanciale), artichoke fritters, and braised lamb, with crostata di ricotta for the finale. Vegetarian options are available. $75. A limited à la carte menu will also be on offer. 16 Mint Plaza.
There’s nothing like brunch on the patio at Foreign Cinema, and on Sunday April 20th, they will be offering an à la carte menu, new spring cocktails, cordials, and signature egg dish classics. Call 415-648-7600 to book your reservation or online here. 2534 Mission St.
Talented pastry chef Giovanni Liguoro of Poesia Café in the Castro is making two classic Italian Easter treats—colomba pasquale (Easter dove bread) and pastiera napoletana (a dreamy ricotta torte that is just barely sweet, with a whisper of orange), which you can preorder here, or pick up in the café starting this week. (They will be serving the pastiera by the slice as well.) 4076 18th St.
If you’re in the East Bay, The Caffè by Mr. Espresso is going to offer slices of Poesia’s pastiera, and slices or whole colomba bread doves to take home. Available starting Wednesday April 16th. And FYI, The Caffè is offering a special “Easter Egg” 🐣 for visitors—a $1 shot of espresso while you wait for your ordered drink. Boom. 1120 Broadway, Oakland.
Also in the East Bay: Donato & Co.’s Easter menu is three courses for $58 (which includes torta pasqualina!), or four courses for $67, with the regular menu also available. Open 12pm–2:30pm or 5pm–8:30pm. Chef Gianluca Guglielmi is also making his homemade pastiera, which is available to preorder by the whole for $42 (which is a great price), order here. 2635 Ashby Ave., Berkeley.
If you feel like getting out of town, Elk Cove Inn is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for Adults (LOL) and a special Homestead Activity Day on Saturday April 18th: you get to meet their new baby goats, collect fresh eggs from their flock of 60 hens, watch and taste a farm-to-table cooking demonstration, and stroll through their newly planted garden and greenhouse. Reserve your stay now and use code EGGHUNT25 at checkout to enjoy $50 off per night throughout the month of April. It’s located right on a beautiful cove, enjoy walking down to the beach (you can read and see more in my post here).
the socialite
Bake Sale For Myanmar This Sunday April 13th
As if things weren’t terrible enough in the news, and then poor Myanmar suffered a devastating 7.7 earthquake on March 28th (more than 3,600 people have reportedly died, it’s so utterly tragic). The current conditions there are harrowing—so many people are in need of supplies, shelter, and support. Thankfully, local cooking teacher and consultant Linda Esposito (@flavor_explosions) is quickly organizing a bake sale fundraiser for Myanmar at 18 Reasons this Sunday April 13th, Bake for Myanmar. All proceeds from the bake sale will go to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières.
Over 40 bakers and pastry chefs from the Bay Area are participating in #BakeForMyanmar, from Francis Ang (Abacá) who is baking buko pie with pistachio pandan crumble, grains of paradise; Deborah Kwan (Kokkari Estiatorio) is bringing baklava; and Linda Tay Esposito (Flavor Explosions/Event Planner) is making Malaysian pineapple tarts. Check out the stellar line up and menu! Many of the bakers themselves will also be in attendance during the event.
Guests will have the opportunity to select from a variety of baked goods—each treat is valued at $5 per serving, some are $10. They will tally the number of treats you have selected, and ask that you make a donation directly to MSF for the treats you have selected (please restrict your donation to Myanmar earthquake relief). If you can’t make it, you can always donate here. Spread the word! 🙏 10am–1pm. 18 Reasons, 3674 18th St.
