The Most Anticipated New San Francisco Restaurant Openings, Fall 2016

Location: 388 Fulton St., Hayes Valley

Major Players: Adam Tortosa

The Situation: Amid a new generation of high-end sushi restaurants alights The Starling, a chill omakase-style spot from chef Adam Tortosa (Akiko's, 1760). It'll have a decidedly different vibe, and serve local, sustainable fish with Bay Area produce — Santa Barbara uni with shiro dashi emulsified egg yolk, or Kinmedai (golden eye snapper) with torched skin, Cara Cara orange, chives, and smoked salt are prime examples. There will also be a very limited menu of hot and cold small plates available at the ten-seat sushi bar, and in the 20-seat dining room.

Location: 715 Brannan 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: November

Location: 1365 Fillmore St., Fillmore

Major Players: Ryan Shelton, Madison Fraser

The Situation: A chef with a fine dining resumé and a sommelier are opening a "craft grocery" slash chef's counter-style dining experience in the Fillmore. That means fresh pastas, charcuterie, pastries, wine, beer, and meal kits for sale five days a week; then, three days per week, eight diners will have the opportunity to eat dinner twice per night. The tasting menu meal will be focused on Italian and French cuisine, and incorporate all the tasty housemade goods that are for sale during the day.

Projected Opening: Late November

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-September

Location: 1915 Main St., St. Helena

Major Players: Chris Cosentino, Oliver Wharton

The Situation: Part of the 68-room Las Alcobas hotel property, Acacia House will serve as the accompanying restaurant. The menu will capture "the prevailing seasonal sensibility of California's wine country," and will be composed of small and large plates to complement Napa wines. Because the restaurant is part of the hotel, it'll provide breakfast, room service and poolside dining, as well as the most Napa of all things: picnic baskets and lunch bags (musettes) for cyclists.

Projected Opening: Mid-October

Image credit: Joe Becerra

Location: 2293 Mission St., Mission

Major Players: Adam Rosenblum, Alvin Garcia

The Situation: The Cajun spinoff from the team behind Popson's craveable burger will focus on Cajun fare, but is not intended to be a "top hits" list of the cuisine. While there'll certainly be dirty rice, shrimp and grits, and (probably) fried chicken, things will skew rustic with a bit of Creole influence: lots of pork, shrimp, rice dishes, housemade andouille sausage, and the like. Cocktails will be simple, classic versions of New Orleans favorites, like Sazeracs, though Garcia says he definitely wants a frozen drink machine or two in the mix. The restaurant will offer dinner to start, with brunch on the horizon; casual counter service lunch with po'boys and gumbo are also a possibility. And to take it over the top, there'll be crawfish boils during the season (spring/summer).

Projected Opening: Mid-November

Image credit: Patricia Chang

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: Late October

Image credit: Patricia Chang