Just in time for sunny days at Dolores Park, BI-RITE CREAMERY on 18th Street has reopened after a three-month closure for seismic retrofitting and renovation. You’ll find more communal seating, a vibrant mural, and new treats, like soft-serve stuffed donuts (featuring brioche donuts from Mr. Holmes Bakehouse) served with dipping sauces, three new ice cream bars (vanilla with dark chocolate and puffed quinoa, balsamic strawberry with white chocolate and graham cracker crumble, and chocolate with dark chocolate and rainbow sprinkles), plus three new vegan flavors, created with oatmilk and coconut milk. Open daily 11am-10pm. 3692 18th St. at Guerrero.
With executive chef and co-owner Laurent Gras now leading the helm at ~SAISON~, he will be closing the restaurant for a renovation later this summer. Ken Fulk will be updating the interior of the restaurant, while retaining the open-kitchen format. Will there be taxidermy? Stand by for more.
I was surprised to see ALFRED’S STEAKHOUSE announce closure for a remodel, which the restaurant recently had when the Daniel Patterson Restaurant Group took it over a few years ago, and then after the recent fire as well. Stand by for what’s next, now that owner Al Petri has taken the restaurant back over once again. 659 Merchant St. at Kearny.
Over in the Castro, BREWCADE is expanding into the neighboring Botellón space, but they need to close for the expansion, and will rename to DISTRICT 8, since the new format will be more than beer and arcade games. Siblings and owners Shawn Vergara and Tiffny Vergara Chung will now be offering food and cocktails. Look for fast-casual bites, like pizza and lemongrass beef sandwiches. They’re hoping for a mid-summer reopening (with a new entrance). 2200 Market St. B at Sanchez.
The colorful new exterior of Bi-Rite Creamery. Photo courtesy of Bi-Rite Creamery.
