Category: The Latest

Buzzy (Yet Hit-or-Miss) Marina Italian at Norcina

We weren’t exactly short on Italian restaurants serving Neapolitan pizzas and housemade pastas. But chef Kaitlynn Bauman’s Norcina, which opened in August 2021, is a sunny, tiny slice of Marina real estate that doesn’t feel like other countless restaurants serving similar food. In the same neighborhood, there is already popular local chain Delarosa focused on Neapolitan pizza and antipasti, a similar pizza focus at new Napizza, intimate, old school, pasta-centric Roma Antica, and, of course, pioneering A16. And that’s just within the same couple of blocks.

Review here: Read more →

A Modern Russian Oasis in Noe Valley: Birch & Rye

Of all times to open a Russian restaurant… but, of course, Birch & Rye, debuting February 2022, has been in the works long before the current dire events in Russia and Ukraine. Chef/owner Anya El-Wattar dove in head-first to aid Ukraine by way of her upcoming “Dine for Ukraine” April 13 fundraiser dinner with none other than Dominique Crenn. Why Birch & Rye is a special new modern Russian food (and drink) oasis: Read more →

6 New Restaurants Worth Visiting This Month — February 2022

These six notable newcomers cover the gamut, from Mexican pizza and Jewish deli pop-ups inside established restaurants, to a food hall nailing cuisine from Africa to the Middle East. Alongside this month’s full restaurant reviews — Good Good Culture Club from Liholiho Yacht Club, Automat from Lazy Bear, Chuck’s Takeaway from Charles Phan, Fort Point Valencia and 6 newcomers cafe & food truck edition — these new restaurants are worth eating at now: Read more →