Some great news about local chefs and pop-ups finding permanent spaces, starting with Shawn Naputi and general manager Shawn Camacho of the Guamanian PRUBECHU, who are moving into the former Aster space (they had to leave their previous location on Mission St. when their rent got jacked up). With the departure of chef Brett Cooper from Aster, and its subsequent and swift closure, it was an unfortunate loss for our local dining scene. But with Daniel Patterson bringing the Prubechu duo into his Alta Restaurant Group (like Dyafa, Kaya, and Besharam) and supporting their growth, it’s a positive outcome. Stand by for updates on their potential May opening, menu, and more. [Via The Chronicle.]
I was also happy to see the ABC license transfer hit for SQUARE PIE GUYS, Marc Schechter and Danny Stoller, who have been popping up with their Detroit-style pizza at Vinyl on Divis. They’re moving into the former The Board on Mission, and Eater reports they’re targeting July for both dine-in and delivery service. The menu will feature around 10 pizzas, plus a burger, salads, and sandwiches with bread made from their dough. 1077 Mission St. at 7th St.
Also in SoMa, the pop-up incubator space, Joint Venture Kitchen, has made their space a permanent one for two of their pop-up regulars: PICON415 (Mexican street food, served Monday through Friday) and the city’s first Nigerian restaurant, EKO KITCHEN. I’ve been following Eko chef Simileoluwa Adebajo, and am thrilled to see her take the leap to opening her own restaurant (on May 3rd!). Read this charming piece about her viral post and her path to following her dream to open a place of her own.
Per her Instagram post, “We will open for dine in Friday evening through Sunday and handle catering and bulk orders Monday through Wednesday. My hope is to create a safe space where Immigrants and People of Color can add Value to the city of San Francisco. There are not enough of these spaces here.” Let’s be sure to support these businesses, gang. 167 11th St. at Natoma.
A killer spread at Prubechu. Instagram photo via @restaurantprubechu.
