The Top New Openings of the Month: August 2018

Radhaus’ currywurst
Radhaus

In my latest Time Out column, my top openings of the month join other standout newcomers for a top 10 on where to eat now (article here):

Bing & Boba

Radhaus 

2 Marina Blvd., Bldg A, Fort Mason; 415-445-4556; radhaussf.com. Daily 11am-2pm; 5-10pm.

From Aaron and Matt Hulme, owners of longtime great Suppenküche (one of the best German restaurants in the country), Radhaus opened August 2018 bringing a modern Bavarian beer hall to Fort Mason Center. The lofty, 3,700-square-foot space is graced with dramatic woods from a 200-foot ponderosa pine tree and inspiring Bay and Golden Gate Bridge views. Drink German beer on draft, Germanic schnaps and wines with chef Timmy Malloy’s pretzels, currywurst and a killer chicken schnitzel sandwich in buttermilk sauce.

Bing & Boba

1476 Haight St., 415-590-2379; bingandboba.com. Sunday-Thursday 11am-7pm; Friday-Saturday 11am-8pm.

A welcome new addition to the Upper Haight for boba and jianbing (traditional Chinese street food “crepes” folded over with different fillings), Bing & Boba is a sunny, order-at-the-counter shop. While slurping down matcha or paco nana (peanut butter and banana puree) boba, order a classic jianbing from a batter of tapioca, wheat and garbanzo bean flours, laced with egg, green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, black bean paste, chili sauce and a crispy fried wonton.

Pira Pica

Pira Pica 

590 Valencia St., SF; 415-800-7994; piripica.com. Daily 11am-10pm.

On the ever bustling stretch of Valencia near 16th Street, Piri Pica opened September 4, 2018, from Khalid Mushasha (Lolinda, Black Cat) and chef Telmo Faria (Uma Casa). Fast casual Portuguese, centered around flame-grilled piri piri chicken, is the name of the game. The house hot sauce is addictive and you choose your chicken seasoning and spice level (Pica! Pica! Pica! is extra spicy) with sides like grilled corn on the cob, vegan three bean chili or a refreshingly cold wild rice salad of farro, carrot, celery, currants and toasted almonds in cumin vinaigrette.

Oren’s Hummus, San Francisco

Oren’s Hummus

71 3rd St.; 415-915-6736. orenshummus.com. Daily 8am-10pm.

While there may be three Peninsula locations of Palo Alto’s beloved Oren’s Hummus Shop, this summer ushered in the first SF location in the heart of SoMa. There’s an order-at-the-counter side for ease, but under dramatic chandeliers there is also a lofty, eat-in dining room. Fresh Israeli-Middle Eastern food shines, from fattoush salad to shakshuka, with the namesake hummus served in an array of styles (we love the beet, feta, walnut, orange zest version), arguably the best hummus in the Bay Area.

Oren’s Hummus’ beet hummus