Sabrosa, Mexican Food and Cocktails in the Marina

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With La Urbana boasting crazy crowds, Padrecito and Mamacita perpetually bustling, Nopalito at two locations and counting, and Tacolicious expanding all over the map, there's definitely a hunger in SF for upscale Mexican fare. The latest entrant into the space: Sabrosa, comes from The Brixton team of Adam Snyder, Hugo Gamboa, and Andy Wasserman (the former two are also partners in Redwood).

Chef Jose Ramos, who was the co-opening chef of Nopalito and most recently was consulting with Silvia McCollow at Oakland's well-regarded Nido, is behind the stove, offering a menu that spans Mexican regions and includes some favorite family recipes. Most dishes are traditional with a slight twist, like fish empanadas, guacamole studded with pomegranate seeds, and an heirloom tomato salad with pickled nopales. There are five kinds of tacos and quesadillas, including fried calamari and brussels sprout-mole, and entrees like pork short ribs confit in mole sauce and seafood and wild rice stew. Here's the full food menu.

The cocktail program comes from Matt Stanton, who also owns San Diego's El Dorado Cocktail Lounge. He's offering five kinds of margaritas, including the Tommy's margarita and variations made with grapefruit and roasted jalapeños. Other options include an añejo tequila old fashioned with chile honey and bitters and three beer cocktails, including one that combines an apple lambic with prosecco and cinnamon and another that riffs on a michelada with mezcal and celery bitters. The 30-bottle wine list has a Chilean and Argentine focus, while 5 draft and 12 bottled beers encompass Mexican favorites and craft offerings. Here's the full drink menu.

The 110-seat former City Tavern was made over by Clint Miller and Parisa O'Connell (Redford, The Corner Store), who relocated the bar to the back, and added custom brass shelving and light fixtures, an uplit onyx bar top, and custom Mexican-inspired furniture, among other touches. Hours are currently 5 pm-2 am daily, with plans to add weekend brunch in a couple of months, followed by lunch.

· City Tavern Becoming Sabrosa, A Mexican Spot [~ ESF ~]
· The Brixton Guys Take Over City Tavern In The Marina [~ ESF ~]
· Sabrosa [Official website]