Opening this Friday January 27th will be the first location of New York’s THE HALAL GUYS in San Francisco. The Union Square/Tenderloin restaurant is opening in the former Naan ‘n’ Curry space. You can order their classic street food dishes: chicken and/or gyro or falafel over rice or in a wrap (the platter comes with rice, pita, lettuce, and tomatoes). Sides include fries, hummus, and tahini, and baklava for dessert. Remember: the white sauce is what will save you from their crazy-hot red sauce! There are late-night hours too. Look for an opening soon in Berkeley. Hours: Sun-Wed 10am-2am, Thu-Sat 10am-4am. 336 O’Farrell St. at Mason.
Newly open in the FiDi is HOMEGROWN SUSTAINABLE SANDWICHES, a Seattle-based sandwich shop. It’s known for being sustainable and environmentally friendly, and it even has its own organic farm that supplies produce for its Seattle locations. As for SF, the founders did some very local sourcing for the menu of sandwiches, salads, soups, and warm quinoa bowls—look for seasonal items too. They are currently looking to to start their own farm here as well—this is the first shop to open in the Bay Area, two more will be coming to Danville and Lafayette. Open Mon-Fri 7am-6pm for breakfast and lunch. 222 Battery St. at California.
Gelato lovers will want to check out the new COLETTA that just opened in SoMa. The founders—Venezuelan-born Antonio Massimini and Swiss native Henri Waltenspühl—attended Bologna’s Carpigiani Gelato University (I’d like an MA from there) and are taking things to the next level by making and pasteurizing their own gelato base in a state-of-the-art “clean room.” Look for superfresh gelato made daily with their own infusions from spices and herbs, with flavors like Almost Chai, Irish Coffee, Mint Chocolate Chip Stracciatella, and sorbetti too. Cones and pints are available. Open Mon-Sat 11am-8pm. 685 Harrison St. at 3rd St.
A quick reminder that KINJO—a sushi restaurant from the chef-owner of Saru in Noe Valley and Ijji on Divis, Billy Kong, and the chef-owner of Seiya in San Carlos, Kuo Hwa Chuang—opens tonight on Russian Hill. Takatoshi Toshi of Sushi Ran is running the kitchen, serving Edomae-style omakase sushi ($120). Open Tue-Sun 5:30pm-10pm. 2206 Polk St. at Vallejo, 415-921-2222.
URBAN REMEDY just opened in Hayes Valley, serving organic and plant-based food and juices, with six new menu items such as Blue Magic Milk and Umeboshi Sushi Salad. This is the company’s ninth location. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. 450 Hayes St. at Octavia.
Classic Halal Guys combo platter. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
