10 Major-League Restaurant Openings Slated For January

A handful of new Bay Area restaurants are rushing in with the New Year. At least 10 newcomers plan to hit the scene this month. Here's a guide to the lot of them.

Know of another restaurant opening? Drop us a line with some details.

1) Ramen Shop
Address: 5812 College Avenue, Oakland Rockridge
The Players: Chez Panisse alums Sam White and Rayneil De Guzman, chef Jerry Jaksich
The Situation: Simple, seasonal Chez Panisse style meets authentic ramen with housemade noodles (chef Jaksich lived in Japan for six years, during which time he worked with a ramen master), a Beretta-pedigreed bartender, and Wiley Price-designed metal work in a 45-seat, counter-centric space. The plan for now is to be open daily from 4 p.m. to midnight.
Planned Opening: January 4
[Photo: Yelp]

2) B.Patisserie
Address: 2821 California Street, Lower Pac Heights
The Players: Pastry chef Belinda Leong, Thorough Bread Bakery owner Michel Suas
The Situation: Two French pastry masters team up to take over the San Francisco baking world with a pastry case full of perfect macarons, pastries, cult-followed kouign-amann, and savory sandwiches to boot.
Planned Opening: January 28
3) Duende
Address: 468 19th Street, Uptown Oakland
The Players: Former Oliveto chef Paul Canales, partner/GM Rocco Somazzi, Arcsine Architecture
The Situation: At this community-minded, 4,000-square-foot Oakland beauty, Canales creates a menu of Spanish-themed racions and larger platos for the 84-seat restaurant side of things, while an adjacent cafe serves up perfectly pulled espressos, rotating art and regular live music acts. Check the fancy, new neon sign, here.
Planned Opening: The week of January 7, pending Fire Dept. inspection
[Photo: Facebook]
4) Hi-Lo
Address: 3416 19th Street, The Mission
The Players: Owners Dave Esler, and chef-owner Scott Youkilis, Scott Beattie, chef Ryan Ostler
The Situation: The team from Hog & Rocks brings on former Gypsy Kitchen barbecue master Ryan Ostler, and NorCal cocktail pioneer Scott Beattie to help create a convivial, counter-service restaurant with long picnic tables and beer and wine on-tap. The menu includes staples like brisket and ribs, along with bourbon-sriracha-glazed duck wings, 24-hour confit sunchokes, and more.
Planned Opening: "End of January"

5) Sake San
Address: 626 Clement Street, Inner Richmond
The Players: Owner Barry Wong, Designer Alan Tse
The Situation: A brand new restaurant with three karaoke rooms features full sake and yakitori menus, tatami seating, and a 25-foot-long sake and soju bar.
Planned Opening: "First week of January"

6) Hillside Supper Club
Address: 300 Precita Avenue, Bernal Heights
The Players: Chef-owners Tony Ferrari and Jonathan Sutton
The Situation: The Hillside Supper Club pop-up at Caffe Cozzolino turns into a bona fide restaurant this month at the same address. They'll scale up their menu of tried-and-tested "California rustic" fare, met by beer and wine on-tap and a newly revamped decor. Jonathan Waters of Chez Panisse is consulting on their wine list. Brunch to follow
Planned Opening: January 23
7) Stuffed
Address: 2788 Mission Street, The Mission
The Players: First time restaurant owners Dana Sacco and her boyfriend Andy Schoengrund, of Wolvhammer
The Situation: Two Midwesterners are helping the Mission lose its pierogi virginity with a menu of "San Francisco spins" on the beloved dough-wrapped dumplings. The plan is to have a slew of Midwestern beers in tow, along with a formidable wooden bar crafted by the woodworker behind McTeague's.
Planned Opening: "around the end of January"
8) Schulzie's Bread Pudding
Address: 364 Hayes Street, Hayes Valley
The Players: Founder and San Francisco native Sarah Schulz
The Situation: Following a first tease in December of 2011, Schulzie's will finally open its San Francisco outpost next week with at least 16 scoopable bread pudding options available per day. along with an Equator coffee and tea "bar." Confirmed opening flavors include the "San Francisco favorite" earl gray, chocolate coconut, and blissed out blueberry, which is available warmed and with steamed milk sauce. The cafe will be open daily, until 8 p.m. on most days, and until 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Outdoor cafe seating only.
Planned Opening: January 11
[Photo: Hayeswire]
9) Pica Pica Castro
Address: 3970 17th Street
The Players: Adriana López Vermut, Arcsine Architecture
The Situation: The biggest Pica Pica yet hits the Castro with a bi-level space, beer on tap, and new menu offerings like crispy chicken with black beans, grilled steak and tostones salad, and cachapas.
Planned Opening: "Third or fourth week of January"
10) WIne Kitchen
Address: 507 Divisadero Street, NoPa
The Players: Chef-owners, Greg Faucette and Jason Limburg
The Situation: Former line cooks from Commonwealth, Bar Tartine, Contigo, Per Se, and Spruce, open an unassuming wine bar and small plates restaurant with a predominant bar. Expect dishes like fried gnocchi with beef short ribs.
Planned Opening: "Early January"
[Photo: Facebook]