A new year looms, but before we turn the page on 2007, we have a trio of new beginnings brought to you by The Dish, your source for all the latest and greatest openings. As always, the Dish Hotline eagerly awaits your tips.
1) Coffee Bar: Though we're still not quite sure what neighborhood lays claim to the corner of Florida and Mariposa (the Mission? NEMIZ? Submission? Bopabesomipo?), Coffee Bar is now officially open for business Monday through Saturday, 7am to 10pm. Though coffee is undoubtedly the star at the project by Luigi Di Ruocco (Mr. Espresso) and Jason Michael Paul, sandwiches and salads are available mid-day; evenings see a special "after 5pm" food menu with 25+ wines by the glass, 50+ wines by the bottle and over a dozen beer selections. Oh, and there's free wi-fi. Further reading/viewing on Coffee Bar can be had in its Fall Tracking Report. 1890 Bryant Street, on the corner of Florida and Mariposa, Mission/Potrero; website [Eater Staff]
2) The Cravery: Open right behind the Westfield mall is plywood vet The Cravery. The SoMa location is the chain's first San Francisco endeavor, with the other locations being in southern California and one in Los Altos. Of course, the menu specialty is the revolutionary concept of the "gourmet handheld pot pie." From the looks of things, the restaurant basically takes every dish ever invented—from Thai green curry to cheeseburgers—and puts them in a handheld pot pie. Enjoy. 829 Mission Street, between 4th & 5th, SoMa; (415) 882-7300, website [Eater Staff]
3) De Afghanan Kabob House: Hopping across the water to the East Bay, word comes that a Berkeley offshoot of Polk Street's De Aghanan Kabob House (that same kabob house whose BYOB policy was ratted out by the Chron) will open today for the first time. From Chowhound: "Not-yet-open De Afghanan Kabob House at 1160 University does have a menu up on a window. Hours will be 11 am - 10 pm on Sunday through Thursday and 11 am - 11 pm on Friday and Saturday .. The menu has appetizers and kabobs on it but no mantu (dumplings). Maybe they will be a special." We're just guessing it won't be BYOB. 1160 University Avenue, between San Pablo and Curtis, Berkeley; (510) 549-3781 [Chowhound]
