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This area is a hive of activity, from dumpling shops to cultish ramen chains, and a slew of expansions from fine dining hot shots. While restaurateurs have their jobs cut out for them, they show no signs of slowing down. Without further adieu, here are some of the most exciting restaurants opening this spring.
Acacia House
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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: April
Bar Crenn
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Location: 3131 Fillmore St., Cow Hollow
Major Players: Dominique Crenn, Juan Contreras
The Situation: A cozy wine bar, located directly next to (and sharing a courtyard with) the chef’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant Atelier Crenn. Expect small plates and dishes to share, low-proof cocktails, and wines with an emphasis from producers that are natural and biodynamic.
Projected Opening: April
Charter Oak
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Location: 1016 Main St., St. Helena
Major Players: Christopher Kostow, Nathaniel Dorn, Katianna Hong
The Situation: Don’t be confused: This is not Meadowood 2.0. Kostow, the three-Michelin-starred chef of The Restaurant at Meadowood and his team are creating something entirely new, except for the same high level of hospitality found at The Restaurant. It will be family-style, kid-friendly, and there’ll be a spacious patio outside and an inviting hearth inside. Stay tuned for all the details on Eater SF.
Projected Opening: Late May
Che Fico
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Location: 834-838 Divisadero St., Nopa
Major Players: David Nayfeld, Angela Pinkerton, Matt Brewer
The Situation: When two chefs from the world's third best restaurant (Eleven Madison Park) decamp to SF and plan to open a relaxed Italian handmade pasta restaurant together, it’s something to get excited about. David Nayfeld will be focusing on the savory side of things, rolling out handmade pasta, pizzas, housemade salumi, and more daily to appeal to locals and industry folk alike, while Angela Pinkerton focuses on “simple, shareable” desserts like dark chocolate budino emulsified with olive oil and served with salted caramel ice cream almond brittle. It all happens in a converted auto body shop, with punk rock, 80s and 90s hip hop, grunge, and metal setting the tone. — Stefanie Tuder
Projected Opening: Early June
The Kebabery
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Location: 4201 Market St., Oakland
Major Players: Russell Moore, Allison Hopelain
The Situation: The first expansion from the duo behind Oakland’s Camino will be a casual restaurant in the former Salsipuedes space in North Oakland. The focus is on grilled meats that will run the gamut in terms of flavor and region.
Projected Opening: Early April
Ippudo Berkeley
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Location: 2011 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
The Situation: Tonkotsu-style ramen and pork buns from this highly-desired Japanese chain are headed to downtown Berkeley, where they will live in harmony with the neighboring Blue Bottle Coffee location. This will be the first of two locations in the Bay Area, with the second opening in SF sometime in mid-2017.
Projected Opening: Mid-April
Merchant Roots
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Location: 1365 Fillmore St., Fillmore
Major Players: Ryan Shelton, Madison Fraser
The Situation: These two life and professional partners are building a hybrid model of dining and provisions. Three nights per week, Shelton will cook for the Chef’s Table at Merchant Roots; the rest of the time, the space is a craft grocery with packaged foods, special pantry items, wine, and beer. The Chef’s Table tasting menus will combine Shelton’s French-Italian style, which extends to the handmade items in the grocery, like pastas and charcuterie.
Projected Opening: Early May
Nobu
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Location: 180 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto
Major Players: Nobu Matsuhisa
The Situation: The Bay Area’s first emporium of fabulous and fancy fish from chef Nobu Matsuhisa will land in Palo Alto. It will likely be a perfect match for the tech elite of Silicon Valley, who will soon enjoy dining on sashimi tacos while toasting the three commas club on Nobu’s patio. (Here’s a handy update on all the Nobu locations around the country.)
Projected Opening: June
Obispo
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Location: 3326 24th St., Mission
Major Players: Thad Vogler
The Situation: It’s a rum bar, with simple Caribbean dishes like beans and rice. Smaller than Vogler’s other restaurants, Trou Normand and Bar Agricole, this is intended to be a booze-forward spot, with food supporting.
Projected Opening: Early May
Petit Marlowe Wine Bar & Oysterette
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Location: 234 Townsend St., SoMa
Major Players: Anna Weinberg, James Nicholas, Jennifer Puccio, Emily Lucchetti
The Situation: Big Night, the restaurant group behind Marlowe, Park Tavern, and Leo’s Oyster bar, are bringing their talents to deep SoMa, in the form of a raw bar. Big Night’s chef Jennifer Puccio is taking on the food, which will be heavily raw bar-focused, plus small plates like charcuterie, cheese, salads, and steak tartare. The food will all be very wine friendly, even executive pastry chef Emily Luchetti’s desserts. Mark Bright, owner of the space’s previous occupant Les Clos, will stay on as wine advisor.
Projected Opening: Mid-May
Robin
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Location: 620 Gough St., Hayes Valley
Major Players: Adam Tortosa
The Situation: Despite a rapid proliferation of omakase spots across the city, chef/owner Adam Tortosa (Akiko's, 1760) is determined to make his mark through non-traditional nigiri, a dedication to local ingredients and artisans, and a rowdy atmosphere. The $79 menu at this petite, 30-seat Hayes Valley newcomer will change weekly with the farmers market produce, all the furniture and design will be California-made, and rap music will be powering diners through their meal. — Stefanie Tuder
Projected Opening: Mid-May
RT Rotisserie
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Location: 101 Oak St., Hayes Valley
Major Players: Evan and Sarah Rich, Brandon Rice
The Situation: A casual spinoff of Rich Table, RT Rotisserie will (obviously) offer rotisserie chicken, as well as oysters, soups, sandwiches, salads, and other takeout-friendly fare. Counter service will be the style for diners who want to stay, with beer and wine on offer.
Projected Opening: Early 2017
Unnamed Adriano Paganini Restaurant
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Location: 450 Hayes St., Hayes Valley
Major Players: Adriano Paganini
The Situation: A casual Italian restaurant is headed to Hayes Valley, courtesy of restaurateur Adriano Paganini and his team. This is restaurant number twenty-something for Paganini (Super Duper, Beretta, Lolinda), who this go round is focusing on “an entirely new concept for our group, as well as for the Hayes Valley neighborhood.” To be determined what that means, but trust in Paganini. — Stefanie Tuder
Projected Opening: May
Other anticipated openings: Unnamed Lazy Bear Concept, 4505 BBQ & Burgers East Bay, Minnesota Street Project, Wise Sons Marin, Foreign Cinema Wine Bar, Boot and Shoe Service 2, Dumpling Time,
For a full list of coming attractions, visit our constantly updated list here.