A six-day-a-week modern Mediterranean waterfront restaurant that serves quality food, cocktails, wine and is open for lunch and dinner on the Embarcadero? Open at the tail end of January 2024, Alora fits that bill… and fits it with surprising affordability compared to the average downtown newcomer. Amid a number of mezze (shared small plates), only a duck liver mousse exceeds $20, while larger plates hover $25 to $39 and only two beef dishes above that. Read more →
Turkish food is having a moment locally, thank goodness. And from some masterful chefs. Fresh off the heels of my review of new Turkish restaurant, Meyhouse in Palo Alto, chef duo Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz opened Dalida in San Francisco on June 30, 2023, in one of the Presidio’s striking brick buildings lining the Main Parade Lawn, within eyesight of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge, surrounded by forests. Read more →
Three notable newcomers, one tried-and-true great, one recent restaurant coming into its original vision… these are five restaurants worth dining at now (I’ve vetted, visited or ordered from every restaurant reviewed here):
Published October 8, 2021, in my The Bold Italic column and weekly restaurant reviews, my review of Michael Mina’s new colorful escape to Mykonos, Greece, in his former Michael Mina Restaurant (and Aqua) space.
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): Pearl, Outer Richmond 6101 California St., SF; 415-592-9777; pearl-sf.com. Daily 5-10pm; Monday-Friday 7:30am-2pm; Saturday-Sunday 10am-2pm. When a Richmond classic since 1999, Pizzetta 211, finally opens a sister restaurant around the corner, it’s no surprise… Read more →