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Oct 11, 2016 3 min read

New Openings: Dakshin, Garajito, Duc Loi Pantry, and More (and Spices Gets an Update)

New Openings: Dakshin, Garajito, Duc Loi Pantry, and More (and Spices Gets an Update)
The tiffin thali meal at Dakshin. Yelp photo by Judy H.
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There are some new openings around town, starting with DAKSHIN, a fast-casual South Indian spot in the former Batter Bakery space on Polk in Russian Hill. Take a peek at the menu in this pic, which includes a thali plate, dosas, uttapam, and curries, like a prawn curry, Mangalore chicken, and more. A previous Eater post mentions the owner is Pradeep Paniyadi of Sangeetha in Sunnyvale. Open Wed-Mon 11am-10pm. 2127 Polk St. at Broadway, 415-400-4906.

Fans of SPICES! AND SPICES!II and the amazing numbing spicy beef tendon should know there is now just one SPICES (the exclamation point has been sadly dispensed with). The 6th Avenue space has received quite the update (the 8th Avenue location is closed). The menu still has all the favorites, plus some new additions (including iron pot—a dry pot without the broth used for hot pot), and the beers got an upgrade. Open daily 11am-11pm. 291 6th Ave. at Clement, 415-752-8885.

New Yorkers and Angelenos are familiar with SWEETGREEN, a fast-casual shop known for its salads and grain bowls and more, made with seasonal, fresh, and local produce, with everything made from scratch (they are very committed to sourcing locally). They are opening their first SF store in SoMa today, Tuesday October 11th. There are also warm grain bowls and fresh, locally sourced vegetables. Check out the menu here. One nice touch: 100 percent of opening day sales will be donated to CUESA. Open Mon-Sat 10:30am-9pm. 171 Second St. at Natoma.

Garaje in SoMa has a little brother open, GARAJITO, in the former Cafe Clementine. It’s more of a grab-and-go operation, with just eight seats, serving zapatos (a burrito that spent some time getting flattened by a panino press), tacos, sandwiches, and salads—no burger, take note. Have a peek at a pic of the menu here. No beer and wine, but breakfast and coffee are coming soon. Cash only. Mon-Fri 11am-2pm (for now). 257 3rd St. at Tehama, 415-644-0838.

Tenderloin fried chicken and waffle slinger SOUL GROOVE has opened a second location in the restaurant space at the Cova Hotel, formerly Mr. Crave. Owner Jason Fordley is happy to offer sit-down dining, while the original location (422 Larkin St.) will be more about takeout, delivery, and catering. Hoodline reports the expanded menu has lots of egg dishes, mac and cheese, cheesy grits, and more, plus dishes like the Jamaican-Me-Waffles: plantain sweet corn waffles with coconut-lime butter and a choice of regular or vegan jerk chicken. A beer and wine license is in effect, with TVs for watching games, and parties will be coming soon. The admirable (and much needed!) goal is to eventually be open 24-7, but for now, hours are 6:30am-3pm (and until 7pm very soon). 655 Ellis St. at Larkin, 415-771-3000.

Congrats to Howard and Amanda Ngo for getting DUC LOI’S PANTRY open in the Bayview, providing the neighborhood with a full-service and affordable 14,000-square-foot grocery store selling meat, fish, and produce, plus household items, beer, wine, and spirits. There is also a deli serving banh mi sandwiches, and there will be a coffee kiosk from Peet’s Coffee & Tea. Hours will be 8am-8pm. Read more in Hoodline. 5900 3rd St. at Carroll Ave.

Folks closer to South San Francisco should know about FOUNDRY & LUX from Bon Appétit Management Company at The Cove. They will be serving morning coffee and more, while lunch and dinner include items from the wood-burning pizza oven, rotisserie meats, sandwiches, and salads made with fresh produce from the on-site garden. All ingredients are sustainable, humanely raised, and seafood meets Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch guidelines. Plus, there’s a bar, a pool table, bocce, fireplaces, and more. 151 Oyster Point Blvd., South San Francisco.

The tiffin thali meal at Dakshin. Yelp photo by Judy H.

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The new look at Spices. Photo courtesy of Spices via Yelp.
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Bowls at Sweetgreen. Photo courtesy of Sweetgreen.
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Café seating at Foundry & Lux. Photo by Nader Khouri.
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