The Most Anticipated San Francisco Restaurant Openings, Summer 2016

Location: 100 Van Ness St., Hayes Valley

Major Players: Hi Neighbor Restaurant Group (Ryan Cole, Jason Halverson, Tai Ricci, Jason Kirmse, Cyrick Ha)

The Situation: Corridor, the latest restaurant from Hi Neighbor Restaurant Group and chef Jason Halverson, will soon join its fast casual sibling (Corridor Café) in a 29-story skyscraper with 1,000 residents. The idea is a counter service hybrid, where diners order at the counter; reservations will be available, as well as walk-ins. The restaurant will cater to the pre- and post- theater crowd, as well as the upscale building's residents, with a menu of "comfort classics," some of which are popular dishes from Stones Throw and Trestle.

Projected Opening: June

Image credit: Eater Archives

Image credit: Henrik Kam

Location: 3020 St. Helena Hwy. N., St. Helena

Major Players: Douglas Keane (Cyrus), Sang Yoon (LA's Father's Office)

The Situation: The two chefs became fast friends during the filming of Top Chef Masters a few years back; now their shared love of yakitori is coming to St. Helena in the form of a casual wood-fired restaurant in the 125-year-old Freemark Abbey property. Seafood, chicken, beef, and produce from Tucker Taylor (culinary gardner at Kendall-Jackson) grilled on skewers will be the focus of what Keane says will be an "inspired but not challenging" restaurant.

Projected Opening: Late June

Image credit: Instagram/tbos_napa

Location: 2900 18th St., Mission

Major Players: Liz Prueitt, Chad Robertson

The Situation: This ambitious project from Tartine Bakery founders is now fully under construction, filling in a 5,600-square-foot space adjoining Heath's Mission factory. The spacious digs will take on most of the bakery's production, using an enormous Heuft oven, and include a café and bar, ice cream shop, fermentation bar, coffee kiosk, and pantry. As a bonus, the shifting of bread production to The Manufactory means that Tartine Bakery will get a facelift as well, including expanded seating.

Projected Opening: July/August

Image credit: Kinfolk

Location: 330 Gough St., Hayes Valley

Major Players: Kim Alter

The Situation: It's been a long road as chef Kim Alter (Plum) has worked to open Nightbird, her Hayes Valley restaurant (this is not the first time it's been included in an Anticipated Openings roundup). According to Alter, Nightbird will be a 40-seat restaurant focused on tasting menus that will change frequently, based on "what is available at the market and classic technique." The restaurant will also have a little sister in the form of an Art Deco-styled, seven-seat bar called Linden Room, that will focus on craft cocktails.

Projected Opening: Late Summer

Image credit: Google

Location: 2501 Mariposa St., Mission

Major Players: Paul Einbund, Gavin Schmidt

The Situation: Though Slow Club will be missed, its replacement promises to maintain a position as a better-than-average neighborhood spot, serving California Mediterranean fare. There will also be a serious burger, plus an interesting wine list from owner/sommelier Paul Einbund (Frances, Octavia) and chef Gavin Schmidt (Campton Place, COI).

Projected Opening: Mid-Summer

Image credit: Slow Club/Facebook

Location: 1016 Main St., St. Helena (formerly Tra Vigne)

Major Players: Christopher Kostow, Nathaniel Dorn, Katiana Hong

The Situation: It's a "less formal" endeavor from the fine-dining all-stars from triple Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood. That means a lively, family-style dining room with a hearth in the center, and a menu of "rustic but refined" dishes. Chef Kostow was quoted as saying he wants it to be "Martha Stewart's dream," where guests pour their own wine and beautiful platters of food are served atop endlessly Instagrammable surfaces. Expect dishes like a rotisserie pork shoulder lightly dressed with a miso of acorns, and a bowl of house-cultured yogurt and cold tomatoes, laced with a tiny bit of their juices and umeboshi (Japanese salt plums).

Projected Opening: Late summer

Location: 1735 Polk St., Nob Hill

Major Players: Tim Lyum

The Situation: From the chef of Poleng Lounge comes a beer-focused restaurant, serving up small plates inspired by Spanish, Latin, Filipino, and Japanese flavors, translated into bites, shareable plates, sandwiches and salads. It'll have 116 seats, 30 beers, wine, and nitro cold brew on tap.

Projected Opening: July

Image credit: Eater Archives

Locations: Arsenal (715 Brannan St.), The Hunted (445 Harriet St.)

Major Players: Erik Sun

The Situation: Another Angeleno has ventured North: Erik Sun (an investor in LA's Bestia) is opening two concepts in San Francisco this summer. Arsenal will be an Asian concept with barbecue grills at every table, a noodle bar and yakiniku, complete with an official Kobe beef certification; there'll also be beer wine and sake. The Hunted will be a 6,000-square-foot restaurant, featuring "Italian leaning" cuisine with long braise times and whole animal cookery, though its identity is still being worked out.

Projected Opening: Late Summer

Image credit: Erik Sun/Arsenal

Location: 131 North Street, Healdsburg

Major players: Kyle Connaughton, Katina Connaughton, Aaron Koseba

The Situation: The long-awaited inn, farm and restaurant from chef Kyle Connaughton and his farmer-partner-wife Katina is a major addition to the Healdsburg dining scene. A short trip from the farm to the table, plus a subtle integration of Japanese cooking and hospitality styles will make this a standout.

Projected opening: August

Image credit: Patricia Chang

Location: 1550 Church St., Noe Valley

Major Players: Telmo Faria, Nora Furst

The Situation: The former Tacolicious chef is going back to his roots with his modern approach to Portuguese food.The 75-seat restaurant will feature favorites like the Francesinha sandwich, caldo, and a raw bar. A private dining room named the "Mesa d’Avo" (Grandmother’s Table) will feature a communal table for 20, where dishes will be served family-style.

Projected Opening: August

Image credit: Telmo Faria