what’s cookin’
Howdy frens. Happy Earth Day. I’m currently on my flight to New York while finishing up this column for you since I was busy packing and getting my apartment ready for Fortuna’s catsitter yesterday. It’s always so hard to leave baby gurl—she was totally sitting in my suitcase last night and wouldn’t look at me. Awwww, Tuna! I’ll be back, honey!
I’m so friggin’ excited to be heading back in New York after too many years away. I won’t have a tablehopper issue for you next week since I’ll still be in da Big Apple, but I’ll be back in your inbox on May 5th—I have a bunch of tasty tidbits in today’s column to tide you over until I return. I won’t be replying to emails until I get back—I want to enjoy every minute I have in the city. Thanks for understanding.
I gotta keep this intro letter short and sweet, writing on the plane is no fun (and someone didn’t get a full night of sleep—I need a nap!). I will eat some Russ & Daughters and Raoul’s steak au poivre and allllll the pizza for you!
Baci,
~Marcia
the chatterbox
It’s an Outer Sunset Love Match: Two Pitchers Brewing Company Taproom and Maillards Are Now Open
Congrats to Maillards on surviving their crazy-busy soft opening last week. The locally adored smashburger pop-up from chef Max Ponzurick just opened a brick-and-mortar location inside the taproom from Oakland’s Two Pitchers Brewing Company, and the double-play is pretty genius. They’re just blocks from the beach, and there were all kinds of surfers, families, and cyclists enjoying pitchers of beers and burgers at large communal tables inside, or huddled in the outdoor parklet in fleece jackets.
The soft opening was this past weekend, and I was hoping to snag a burger later on Sunday night, but even at 7:30pm, it was going to take an hour to get through the line that stretched out the door to get my order, according to a friendly reader who I ran into while she was picking up her food (she gave me a French fry, awww). I’ll just need to plan a midweek excursion soon, but will bring a friend with me next time to pass the time—this place is gonna be bizzzeeeeee.
Here’s the menu above, with four kinds of smashburgers (made with grass-fed, grass-finished beef), and some of their killer specials are coming soon. It was interesting to see that it was their fried chicken tender sandwich and bucket of Nashville-style chicken bites (you choose your spice level) that were sold out.
Fries are fried in beef tallow, and there’s also a garlic crunch Caesar salad. For dessert, there are a couple Straus soft-serve options (the cookies ’n’ cream mix it sounds so good), but it will be interesting to see how they work that out with the long line since most people don’t want to have to eat their soft-serve before their burger.
Maillards will continue to slang their burgers at the Outer Sunset farmers market on Sundays, and their pop-up at Heritage Restaurant will continue (for now) on Tuesdays.
Two Pitchers has seven brews on tap, including their Baseline lager for just $3 (whut!), their blood orange and grapefruit radler, a pale ale, plus a dry cider, as well as 13 beers from local brewers like Enterprise, Fort Point, Headlands, Standard Deviant, and more ($6–$10 per pint). Open Wed–Thu 4pm–10pm, Fri 4pm–11pm, Sat 12pm–11pm, and Sun 12pm–9pm. 3821 Noriega St. at 46th Ave.
Coming Soon: Casa Sofia Is Opening by Oracle Park, Who’s Moving Into the Del Popolo Space, Toronado’s New Owners
I was trying to find out who the new people listed on the ABC license transfer for Toronado were, and SFGATE received a press release with the deets: “Bill Lewis, a San Francisco resident of three decades and a regular of the beloved Haight Street bar, will serve as the new owner of Toronado along with his brother-in-law, Wall Pringle, according to a news release shared with SFGATE on behalf of Lewis. Founder Dave Keene, who owned the bar for 39 years and turned it into an internationally recognized destination for craft beer enthusiasts, will remain connected to the bar as an ambassador following the sale.” Cheers to no crypto bros taking over the infamously cash-only bar! 547 Haight St.
A North Indian Restaurant with Date Night-Ready Décor Opens in the Mission
Recently opened in the Mission in the former 14 Peaks Nepalese Cuisine is Namaste Indian Cuisine, the fifth in the Namaste restaurant group and their first location in SF. The space got quite an upgrade, and according to pics on Yelp, it has a welcoming style with leather chairs, tufted booth tables, wallpaper, and pendant lights.
Founded by chef-owner Dilip Gurung, the first Namaste opened on the Monterey Peninsula in 2011, and expanded to Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and now the Mission (all the locations are owner-operated by Gurung and his family, and he tells me he’s very hands-on in the kitchen across all locations).
At Namaste, the menu is focused primarily on North Indian cuisine (Gurung is originally from Nepal), highlighting rich, slow-cooked curries (their Himalayan goat curry is personally close to his heart, made with traditional Nepalese spices and herbs passed down through generations), as well as tandoori clay oven preparations, chicken momos, and biryani.
The menu also includes South Indian–influenced dishes like lemongrass curry (made with coconut milk and curry leaf), and Malabar curry (built on a coconut and garlic base with mustard seeds, which reflect the coastal cooking of Kerala), as well as Goan cuisine, like vindaloo and Goan seafood curry. Everything is made in-house from scratch, from their sauces to their spice blends. All diners are welcome (they even offer vegan curries), and they’re halal-friendly.
The Namaste team is excited to open in the Mission and be part of “such a diverse and food-literate community.” Open Sun–Thu 11:30am–2:30pm and 5pm–9pm, Fri–Sat 11:30am–2:30pm and 5pm–9:30pm. 2848 23rd St. at Bryant.
A New Turkish Pizza and Pide Shop with Late-Night Hours
Enjoy a Meal Out on the Town (and Save a Few Bucks!) With These Extra-Special Menus
It’s Time to Perk Up at These New Coffee and Matcha Shops
In last week’s issue, I wrote about the new Vietnamese café in downtown Yerba Buena at 121 New Montgomery Street, Cà phê Việt, and this past weekend, my friend and I met up to try their coffee with egg cream (soooo delish) and iced coffee with coconut cream (the ideal afternoon pick-me-up). We tried the bánh mì as well, but it’s the coffee with egg cream that will bring me back.
Note: it ends up the soft-serve ice cream I mentioned last week is coming soon, and isn’t there quite yet. I was happy to see Papa Noodle next door so busy on a Saturday—looks like the word is finally getting out about how tasty and affordable their noodles are!
My friend went to visit Origin Lab, a coffee/matcha shop that opened downtown (near Union Square) just a week ago and it has been nonstop slammed. The Turkish owner Ibrahim is making the drinks right in front of the customers, including whisking his Matcha Cloud creations (using ceremonial grade matcha) with flavors like yuzu or strawberry, and making single-origin pour-over coffee, and espresso drinks that include the usual suspects, or there’s the banana cream cloud (the espresso is incorporated into the cream layer on top, while the base is a banana milk–style drink), or there’s a Kyoto matchapresso. The space has a welcoming design by Flower Design & Build Co., with punchy grass green and a variety of seating options in the cozy space. Open daily 6am–6pm. 211 Sutter St. at Kearny.
Bay Area Pizza Week Celebrates the Art of the Pie
Underway now is the second annual Bay Area Pizza Week, running April 22nd–May 3rd. Participating restaurants—anywhere pizza or flatbreads are made—will serve special pies and slices at special prices. This year, SF spots Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, Giovanni Italian Specialties, Toscano Brothers Italian Bakery, Capo’s, all A16 locations, Pizzeria Delfina, Goat Hill Pizza, North Beach Pizza, and Cheezy’s Artisan Pizza are all on board, but there are participating pizzerias all over the Bay Area. You can check out the app too.
Pizzeria Delfina is bringing back the Il Tropicale pizza (charred pineapple, prosciutto cotto, tomato, pickled peppers, and mozzarella) for dine-in, takeout, and delivery at all Pizzeria Delfina locations.
the sugar mama
San Francisco, Don’t Miss Your Lamb Jam Moment
We’re more than halfway through April, which means Lamb Jam 2026 is in full swing across San Francisco and time is running out to experience it. For a limited time, a lineup of talented local chefs are each serving a signature dish featuring American lamb, all priced under $30 and available on bar, happy hour, or small plates menus.
Featuring chef Reem Assil of Reem’s California, chef Francis Ang of Abacá, chef Mat Schuster of Canela Bistro, chef Jason Halverson of The Vault Steakhouse, and chef Ryan McIlwraith of Bosco, each brings their own unique take on American lamb to the table. Diners are invited to explore, taste, and cast their vote for their favorite dishes as the competition heats up.
Explore participating restaurants and vote here. When you vote, you’re automatically entered for a chance to win two tickets to an exclusive chef dinner hosted by the winning restaurant!
You can also enter to win a $100 gift certificate to the participating restaurant of your choice, click here!
If you haven’t made your way out yet, now is the time. Join the momentum, support local chefs, and be part of the excitement before the month wraps. Take a look at the dishes here and prepare to get hungry!
Presented by the American Lamb Board.
sponsored event
Get Your Tickets for a Weekend of Fun Events at the Fifth Annual Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience, May 14th–17th
Experience the best of Sonoma and beyond at the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience (May 14th–17th). This weekend-long festival celebrates local farmers, world-renowned winemakers, and top chefs from around the world and local favorites!
The Vintners Plaza Grand Tasting on Saturday May 16th is the centerpiece of the weekend, with over 150 wines, beers, and spirits, plus curated bites from nationally recognized chefs including Joe Sasto, Nadia Caterina Munno “The Pasta Queen,” Viet Pham, Lee Anne Wong, Britt Rescigno, and more!
Start the weekend early with lunch on Friday at a special Shifting the Lens Brunch with chef Stephanie Izard at J Vineyards and Winery, or a Garden-to-Table Lunch at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens. Or chow down at a lunchtime Barbecue with Matt Horn at Orsi Family Vineyards.
Rock out Friday night to an Outdoor Concert at Rodney Strong Vineyards, featuring the soulful sounds of 19-year-old, award-winning guitarist-singer Grace Bowers. Opening for Grace is Hannah Ellis, a country music singer/songwriter who will sing her hit song, “Wine Country!”
Want to up your wine game? Join dynamic and fun wine seminars, including 150 Years of Beringer and “Don’t Bust My Chops” Red Wine Loves Lamb: Food & Wine Seminar.
This is your chance to indulge in the ultimate Wine Country celebration. Join us May 14–17th—tickets are on sale now at healdsburgwineandfood.com.
the socialite
Fior d’Italia Is Turning 140 and You Can Celebrate All 14 Decades at This Anniversary Dinner
My fellow restaurant history buffs: celebrate America’s oldest Italian restaurant, Fior d’Italia, at this anniversary dinner with Bay Area Culinary Historians on Sunday June 28th. (Normally, I’d be all over this, but the dinner is being held on Pride Sunday, darn!)
Here’s more: “Experience a recreation of an 1886 menu, and enjoy a special presentation from Francine Brevetti, the granddaughter of one of Fior’s founders and author of The Fabulous Fior. Ms. Brevetti will share stories of urban history, culinary tradition, and special personal memories. As you enjoy a six-course meal drawn from the restaurant's historic archives, you’ll trace the story of how Fior d’Italia rose as a beacon of immigrant resilience and cultural continuity, all the while reflecting the ever-changing soul of North Beach and American dining.”
“Please note: To stay true to the integrity of the time period and the historical recreation, the menu will be served as stated, with no substitutions. We apologize that it is not appropriate for vegetarians or those on restricted diets. Guests will enjoy: assaggino del giorno; calamari milleottecentottantasei; salada mista; assaggino del giorno; tortellini bolognese; scaloppine di vitello con patate arrosto e verdure (di stagione); and zabaglione, as well as a welcome glass of wine, with their compliments."
Tickets are limited. The cost per person, including tax and gratuity, is $140 per person, plus Eventbrite fees. 6pm–9pm. 2237 Mason St.
the archivist
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