A few months ago, I mentioned LAO TABLE was taking the place of the SoMa Osha Thai (same owner, Lalita Souksamlane), and it’s now open. Some sample dishes on the menu include roasted organic chicken with turmeric and jaew sweet chile dip; and smoked river tilapia relish with Lao’s anchovy, grilled chile, and shallots with a basket of greens. The location was given a nice update, take a look at some pics here. Hours are Mon-Fri 11am-3pm and 5pm-10pm, Sat 5pm-10pm. 149 2nd St. at Natoma, 415-872-9219.
There is a new and traditional kaiseki restaurant that just opened in Japantown called OZAOZA, from owner Tetsuro Ozawa and his wife, Gana Nergui. The multicourse dinner features a set menu ($100), you can take a look here. It’s a small and cozy place: there are only nine counter seats. Open Tue-Sat 5pm-10:30pm. By reservation only. 1700 Post St., Suite K, 2nd floor, at Buchanan, 415-674-4400.
Dogpatch modern Hawaiian outpost ‘AINA is launching dinner service, starting tonight, Tuesday October 18th, in addition to their popular brunch. Chef Jordan Keao’s dinner menu includes pupus like squid ink shrimp chips ( $5) with smoked trout furikake, and Spam bao ( $8 ) with Portuguese sweet bread, housemade pork spam, yuzu kosho aioli, and smoked trout roe . Small kine (starters) feature kiawe wood-smoked BBQ char siu pork ribs ( $13), which are binchotan-grilled with a char siu glaze, with pickled red cabbage and Thai basil , or there’s ahi limu (red seaweed) poke ($16) with inamona (kukui nut) ahi tuna, Hawaiian hearts of palm, smoked sesame oil, shiso, and salicornia .
Kau kau (entrées) include Portuguese butter bean cassoulet ($28) with Stone Valley Farm Portuguese sausage, Iacopi butter beans, edamame cream, pistachio brown butter panko . No shortage of creativity here; check out the menu online for the full, hunger-inducing lineup.
There are also some low-ABV cocktails and wine, beer, and sake will be available. Dinner service is Tue-Fri 5:30pm-10pm. 900 22nd St. at Minnesota, 415-814-3815.
On again, off again…and on again. That bonkers landlord Les Natali has thankfully extended ZAPATA’s lease for 10 months, just as it was about to expire. Literally. That poor owner Jorge Perez, talk about making things difficult for his staff—according to a Facebook post, they are scrambling to staff up again. Anyway, the tacos will continue. 4150 18th St. at Church, 415-861-4470. (Via Hoodline.)
Custom-made bamboo wicker chandeliers at Lao Table. Photo via Facebook.