National Poke Chain Thinks San Francisco Needs Even More Poke

The trend that will never die

San Francisco is about to get hit with even more poke. National chain Pokéworks is entering the market with three new restaurants, and a collaboration with Top Chef alumnus Sheldon Simeon — the first will open this December in SoMa’s 50 Fremont Center (50 Fremont Street, Suite A2). Based in New York, Pokéworks currently has 25 locations in North America — including one other Bay Area location in Mountain View — with dozens more in the works. A build-your-own poke operation, the chain offers poke as a bowl over kale noodles, sushi rice, brown rice, or quinoa; as a burrito wrapped in nori; or as a salad with romaine.

A bigger Brewcade

The Castro’s Brewcade is continuing to make moves toward expanding into the space next door, which Botellón recently vacated. The arcade bar is purchasing Botellón’s liquor license, which would allow it to not only serve beer and wine but also liquor, cocktails, and food. If all goes according to plan — including adding pool tables, skee ball, and air hockey — the much larger Brewcade should be finished by summer 2019.

Taste the future

Twice a year, Napa Valley Cooking School opens its student-run restaurant for three weeks, and the fall edition begins November 27 and runs through December 14. Students design a four-course menu with wine pairings, with two lunch seatings per day. It costs $45 per person, and reservations are now open.

Diwali celebration

Rooh is offering a special four-course menu for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, Wednesday, November 7 through Saturday, November 10. Two seatings will be available each night for the $65 menu, featuring dishes such as Kashimiri lamb ribs with apricot and chili marmalade; butter poached halibut in a seafood-rhubarb curry; and milk cake with toasted barley caramel. Vegetarian options are available, as are cocktail or wine pairings at $45.