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The SF and Oakland Pop-Up Heatmap: Where To Go NOW

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With a surfeit of talented local chefs and a deficit in affordable real estate, pop-ups have become one of the most reliable means of trying new cuisines and catching alumni of big-name restaurants before they themselves blow up. Rich Table, PizzaHacker, Hillside Supper Club, Ichi Sushi + Ni Bar, and Juhu Beach Club all were once pop-ups. Since our previous pop-up heatmap is now outdated, we've rounded up a fresh crop of 14 pop-ups, all of whom are currently in operation or have done an event within the last month. Check before you head over, though, as things can often change last-minute for these seat-of-the-pants operations.


We know we probably missed some great pop-ups (they're not always easy to track!) Please share your favorites in the comments, and we'll consider them for future editions of this guide.

· The Pop-Up Heatmap, April 2014 [~ ESF ~]
· The Bay Area Heatmap: Where to Eat NOW [~ ESF ~]
· All Pop-Ups posts [~ ESF ~]

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Ai Troëggi at Biondivino

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Emanuele Fromento, who owns leading Genovese wine bar and bruschetteria Ai Troëggi, is serving his signature bruschetta at Biondivino through the end of August. Expect 15 varieties on Josey Baker Bread, plus housemade tiramisu and natural wines for $10/glass. Hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 5-11 pm; happy hour, 5-7 pm, offers a free mini bruschetta with any glass of wine.

curATE by Quince

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As Quince's regular space goes under the knife for renovations, Michael and Lindsay Tusk have launched curATE, a pop-up series at Hedge Gallery that runs through August 30th. Each week has art from a different curator and food themed around it. It's open Wednesdays-Saturdays, and Kim Kardashian and Kanye West took 30 people there last week, if that's an incentive.

Salvi, a pop-up from former Range and State Bird Provisions chef Kelvin Castellanos, goes down on Sunday nights at various venues, including his current employer, Bocadillos. The food is inspired by his Salvadoran heritage, and includes tamales, short-rib soup, pupusas, and more. He'll be at Third Rail this Sunday, August 17 (4-8 pm); follow him on Twitter for upcoming events.

Paniolo Social

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As Ravi Kapur prepares to open his Liholiho Yacht Club brick-and-mortar in the Tenderloin, he's getting some practice with Paniolo Social, a Hawaiian-themed pop-up at Bloodhound every Thursday in August (4 pm onwards). Expect drinking-friendly food like spicy noodles, yakitori, poke bowls, sashimi, and aloha dogs.

Uncle Brother's Chicken

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Wes Rowe of Wesburger fame has teamed up with his brother Walker for this Tuesday-night residency at the Residence, serving fried chicken in various styles (like Southern, Korean, or Japanese kara-age), along with sides, from 6-9 pm. Wesburger also continues on intermittent Wednesday nights at Mojo Bicycle Cafe.

Every Friday and/or Saturday, this Mexican pop-up peddles tacos from a window at Tartine Bakery, with freshly-made tortillas and fillings like birria, carnitas, and carne asada. They usually run from 7:30 or 8 until 11, but sellouts happen; check their Twitter feed for the latest.

Nudnik Foods

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Former private chef Dena Ehrlich serves modern Israeli food out of Linea Caffe's window on Wednesday nights, from 5 pm until sellout. Dishes include brik (deep-fried savory pastry triangles), vegan soups, grain salads, and date shakes. Nudnik also makes occasional appearances at Dear Mom; follow them on Twitter for the latest.

The Other Guys

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for the next meal announcement.

Hog & Rocks

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Hog & Rocks is going Korean every Thursday night, with chef Robin Song serving the foods of his heritage at a late-night pop-up from 10 pm-1 am. Expect bibimbap, zucchini pancakes, patbingsoo, and other authentic flavors.

Naked Kitchen SF

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This private home has become one of the city's best spaces for pop-ups to take wing, regularly hosting high-end BYOB dinners from chefs who've trained in high-end kitchens. This Friday's dinner features Southern French cuisine from Sous Beurre Kitchen, while Ante Meridian will host a fancy Saturday-afternoon BBQ.

Ritual at Lost Weekend Video

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While Ritual undergoes renovations, it's moved into neighbor Lost Weekend Video, where it's serving up coffee from 7 am-2 pm. It's the perfect excuse to stop in and help the struggling video store by renting a DVD or two. Ritual should reopen in mid- to late August.

Lil' Rintaro

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Peko Peko's Sylvan Mishima Brackett now has a space in the Mission for his farm-to-table Japanese restaurant Rintaro, but until it arrives, he continues to do his thing via pop-ups. Get on his e-mail list for info on events in SF and Oakland.

Bistro Ordinaire

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Chris Kronner has been making regular "bistro" appearances at cute Grand Lake wine bar Ordinaire on Thursdays and Fridays as he awaits the debut of the Kronnerburger brick-and-mortar in October. August will be his final month there. Don't expect burgers; the menu reflects the upscale and market-driven fare he perfected at Bar Tartine. His Instagram and Ordinaire's Facebook are good places to get updates.

Abura-ya

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This pop-up based out of Oakland's Garden House offers Japanese-style fried chicken and a variety of izakaya-style sides. Catch them Thursday-Sunday, 6-10 pm; they also appear at other venues, like Virgil's Sea Room, from time to time.

Ai Troëggi at Biondivino

Emanuele Fromento, who owns leading Genovese wine bar and bruschetteria Ai Troëggi, is serving his signature bruschetta at Biondivino through the end of August. Expect 15 varieties on Josey Baker Bread, plus housemade tiramisu and natural wines for $10/glass. Hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 5-11 pm; happy hour, 5-7 pm, offers a free mini bruschetta with any glass of wine.

curATE by Quince

As Quince's regular space goes under the knife for renovations, Michael and Lindsay Tusk have launched curATE, a pop-up series at Hedge Gallery that runs through August 30th. Each week has art from a different curator and food themed around it. It's open Wednesdays-Saturdays, and Kim Kardashian and Kanye West took 30 people there last week, if that's an incentive.

Salvi

Salvi, a pop-up from former Range and State Bird Provisions chef Kelvin Castellanos, goes down on Sunday nights at various venues, including his current employer, Bocadillos. The food is inspired by his Salvadoran heritage, and includes tamales, short-rib soup, pupusas, and more. He'll be at Third Rail this Sunday, August 17 (4-8 pm); follow him on Twitter for upcoming events.

Paniolo Social

As Ravi Kapur prepares to open his Liholiho Yacht Club brick-and-mortar in the Tenderloin, he's getting some practice with Paniolo Social, a Hawaiian-themed pop-up at Bloodhound every Thursday in August (4 pm onwards). Expect drinking-friendly food like spicy noodles, yakitori, poke bowls, sashimi, and aloha dogs.

Uncle Brother's Chicken

Wes Rowe of Wesburger fame has teamed up with his brother Walker for this Tuesday-night residency at the Residence, serving fried chicken in various styles (like Southern, Korean, or Japanese kara-age), along with sides, from 6-9 pm. Wesburger also continues on intermittent Wednesday nights at Mojo Bicycle Cafe.

LOQUI

Every Friday and/or Saturday, this Mexican pop-up peddles tacos from a window at Tartine Bakery, with freshly-made tortillas and fillings like birria, carnitas, and carne asada. They usually run from 7:30 or 8 until 11, but sellouts happen; check their Twitter feed for the latest.

Nudnik Foods

Former private chef Dena Ehrlich serves modern Israeli food out of Linea Caffe's window on Wednesday nights, from 5 pm until sellout. Dishes include brik (deep-fried savory pastry triangles), vegan soups, grain salads, and date shakes. Nudnik also makes occasional appearances at Dear Mom; follow them on Twitter for the latest.

The Other Guys

for the next meal announcement.

Hog & Rocks

Hog & Rocks is going Korean every Thursday night, with chef Robin Song serving the foods of his heritage at a late-night pop-up from 10 pm-1 am. Expect bibimbap, zucchini pancakes, patbingsoo, and other authentic flavors.

Naked Kitchen SF

This private home has become one of the city's best spaces for pop-ups to take wing, regularly hosting high-end BYOB dinners from chefs who've trained in high-end kitchens. This Friday's dinner features Southern French cuisine from Sous Beurre Kitchen, while Ante Meridian will host a fancy Saturday-afternoon BBQ.

Ritual at Lost Weekend Video

While Ritual undergoes renovations, it's moved into neighbor Lost Weekend Video, where it's serving up coffee from 7 am-2 pm. It's the perfect excuse to stop in and help the struggling video store by renting a DVD or two. Ritual should reopen in mid- to late August.

Lil' Rintaro

Peko Peko's Sylvan Mishima Brackett now has a space in the Mission for his farm-to-table Japanese restaurant Rintaro, but until it arrives, he continues to do his thing via pop-ups. Get on his e-mail list for info on events in SF and Oakland.

Bistro Ordinaire

Chris Kronner has been making regular "bistro" appearances at cute Grand Lake wine bar Ordinaire on Thursdays and Fridays as he awaits the debut of the Kronnerburger brick-and-mortar in October. August will be his final month there. Don't expect burgers; the menu reflects the upscale and market-driven fare he perfected at Bar Tartine. His Instagram and Ordinaire's Facebook are good places to get updates.

Abura-ya

This pop-up based out of Oakland's Garden House offers Japanese-style fried chicken and a variety of izakaya-style sides. Catch them Thursday-Sunday, 6-10 pm; they also appear at other venues, like Virgil's Sea Room, from time to time.

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