This week’s tablehopper: looking up. (free)

what’s cookin’

Hello, peeps. I hope you had a very Hoppy Easter. Sis and I enjoyed a family dinner with our parents in their balmy backyard, replete with a huge bowl of the most delicate housemade pasta (thanks, Carm!) and juicy leg of lamb off the barbecue; joining us was an array of beautiful birds feasting nearby at their bird feeder. A sunny Easter Sunday always feels like a special gift (especially if you’re at Dolores Park for Hunky Jesus—suns out, buns out!).

The night before, sissy and I were rocking out to Fcukers at The Castro Theatre—it was my first time seeing the $41 million worth of renovations in person (finally!). The restored ceiling is utterly breathtaking—I couldn’t believe all the details we never saw due to the 100 years of cigarette smoke buildup and dirt. I’m including a picture from 2022 so you can compare the difference. Incroyable.

We got to the show early so we could stake out a spot on the new tiered levels in front of the stage in the orchestra section, and admired the original proscenium that was uncovered and is now visible in all its opulent glory.

The show rocked, but, sadly, the sound was wonky—the vocals were really muted, and we could barely understand a word when lead vocalist Shanny Wise spoke to the audience on the mic. (My sis noted we needed subtitles.) Some friends noticed the same thing, while others said it sounded better upstairs. Here’s hoping the sound team dials it all in before I drop more money on another live show there—I didn’t hear any complaints about Sam Smith’s shows, so maybe it depends upon the style of the musical act. I’m going to stick with watching a film next—it’s time to hear David Hegarty bust out San Francisco on the new organ!

For my fellow cinema buffs, check out this article (“The 24 most breathtaking cinemas in the world”). Sadly, The Castro must not have been ready in time, but it really should be the 25th!

It was wonderful to see the Castro neighborhood buzzing with people (Saturday was also a warm evening), and I’m sure the local bars are experiencing new clientele coming in (I overheard a young 20-something asking her friend about the Twin Peaks bar—I almost wanted to see how that was going to play out). I recommend having a cocktail before or after a show at the nearby Lobby Bar (we did both, LOL: pregame and nightcap!). You can read my early piece about the bar here; some things have changed over the past year, including the bar team, but we loved the fab service (thanks, Oscar!) and well-made cocktails. They have plenty of N/A cocktails and bites, too.

I’m so damn excited to be leaving for New York in a couple weeks to attend my first Cherry Bombe Jubilee—is anyone from SF going? Springtime in New York! Cue the Gershwin. Would you believe my last visit was right before the pandemic? 2019! Ugh! Too long! There are so many places I need to revisit (including Russ & Daughters, I want a sabich from Taïm, and I’m really trying hard to get a table at Raoul’s for their epic steak au poivre—I haven’t been since I lived in New York in 2016!). A late-night slice of Joe’s Pizza will likely happen after drinks at nearby Little Branch, forever a favorite.

As for new spots, I’m thrilled to have a table booked at Le Veau d’Or (I can practically taste that Martini!), I plan to stalk the braised oxtail gratin at Markette, and since I’m staying in the West Village, I can’t stop dreaming over my future dinner at Bartolo—it’s such a chic dining room (the light, the linens!), and you know I’m coming home with a lynx ashtray.

Also on my go-get-it list: lunch at Roscioli NYC, the ham and cheese pithivier at Wildair, and finally making a pizza pilgrimage to Razza. Feel free to send any can’t-miss recos my way, although I don’t know how I can fit it all in, especially since I’m planning to visit the Cooper Hewitt for the Art of Noise exhibit, the Biennial at the Whitney, Egon Schiele at Neue Galerie (plus a swing-by to Café Sabarsky), and a Helmut Newton x Steven Klein show at Staley Wise Gallery. tablehopper, you betta hop!

I haven’t seen any DJs listed who I can’t miss (yet), so at least I have a chance of some full days of running around instead of sleeping off a late night of dancing until 4am. Famous last words. Ha! I’m the worst. Send me any cute parties! (I’m there from April 22nd–28th.) Can’t. Wait.

Related: I really enjoyed this recent post on Restaurant-ing Through History about the tea rooms of Harlem in the 1920s. Check it out.

OK, let’s get to the news, along with my writeup of where to get some tasty tonkatsu, and I have a fun ticket giveaway for you beloved supporting subscribers, thank youuuuuu!

XO!
~Marcia

the chatterbox

Inner Sunset’s Caché Opening a Second Location in the Financial District (with a Full Bar)

In just a little over a year after opening the modern bistro Caché in the Inner Sunset—the first SF project from French owners Florent Thomas and chef Simon Mounier—the team just announced an upcoming second location in the Financial District; they plan to open in fall 2026. They’re raising funds on The SMBX, where you can purchase CACH Small Business Bonds, check it out.

Mangrove Thai Kitchen on Divisadero Transforms Into Song Wat

I saw a post from @divisaderocorridor that noticed Mangrove Thai Kitchen appeared to be temporarily closed until February 2027. Thanks to my neighborhood stringer, I found out the concept has actually flipped to “Song Wat, named after an iconic Street in Bangkok’s Chinatown and built by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1892, whose portrait hangs prominently on the wall.” Song Wat is co-owned by Atthapon Inkhong, who is also one of the owners of Kan Kiin, a Michelin Guide–recognized Thai restaurant in Daly City.

My NoPa informant got a look inside the dining room, which has been redesigned with a colorful style and new décor on the walls (including vintage-inspired ads from Song Wat, and a shelving unit stocked with residential décor), while a server station looks like a supermarket shelf from 75 years ago. Round tables for group dining have been added to the middle of the dining room, replacing the former heavy rectangular tables (but the tufted booths along one wall remain).

They’re currently in their soft-opening phase and open daily from 5pm–9pm. Starting next month, Song Wat will open for lunch from 11am–2pm. 312 Divisadero St. at Page.

Hologram Opens in the Outer Richmond, Bringing Retro and Ohana Vibes to Your Day

Sometimes the Instagram algorithm really knows what I’m looking for. Newly open as of last Friday April 3rd is Hologram, a retro-styled neighborhood café in the Outer Richmond from Snowbird Coffee’s Eugene and Anneliese Kim (the coffee roaster opened in the Inner Sunset in 2014). The husband-and-wife duo later expanded with more cafés, and even a breakfast spot in Alameda, but were forced to scale back during the pandemic (but they kept the original Snowbird).

After making it through some tough times and doing some reflection on what was important to them (health, time, and community), they realized they really missed having a place to gather and just be able to sit and hang out (Snowbird became grab and go during COVID). Eugene, who grew up in the Richmond and the Sunset, always has his eye on neighborhood buildings and spotted the available location (previously Umami Sushi and Dumpling Alley; it looks like Mission Local reported on this a few months ago). When the couple realized it came with a full kitchen, their passion project really began to take shape.

Annaliese, who is Filipina and grew up on Oahu, misses the affordable, Hawaiian-style comfort food of her childhood, so she wanted to offer some diner-style dishes that are accessible to the everyday person (along with coffee, of course). There’s a Hawaiian plate with Portuguese sausage, rice, and eggs, and a couple of the café’s cold brews have coconut or ube cream tops (the Kona Gold comes with dried coconut). They will offer a few more of their specialty coffee drinks, like the Spaniard (with condensed milk).

Since they have a bunch of friends in the food industry, they look forward to hosting pop-ups in the future, and since they bought the beer-and-wine license from the former business, they plan to hold local wine dinners, too.

Hologram has 20–30 seats, with some round tables inside that seat 4, and outdoor tables are coming. The space has a nostalgic and Mid-Century look, with orange tiles that remind me of my childhood (as well as the tiles that were outside Five Happiness on Geary, now L H Restaurant), along with retro stacking chairs, and vintage-style orange glass pendant and Nelson bubble saucer lamps. There’s also a piece of art from local duo KEFE (Kelly Tunstall and Ferris Plock), and a bunch of fun merch and items from Freddie’s Lifestyle Shop in the corner (and you can buy some Snowbird Coffee beans to bring home). 

I asked Anneliese about the name, and she said a hologram is nostalgic of the 90s, while also a reflection of light from the past that is brought into the future, which is a lovely expression of what they’re doing here. Hours are Wed–Sun 8am–2pm, and will expand as they staff up and get going. 2512 Clement St. at 26th Ave.

Two Longtime Bay Area Restaurants Closing After 30-Plus Years in Business

Over the weekend, I was sorry to see this Instagram post from Millennium Restaurant announcing the upcoming closure of their Rockridge location after service on May 16th. The groundbreaking, upscale vegan restaurant first opened in San Francisco 32 years ago, in 1994, which is the year I moved to the City. (Wow, memories!) In 2015, executive chef-partner Eric Tucker and GM Alison Bagby closed the SF location in the Hotel California (at 580 Geary)—much to the dismay of their SF fanbase—and moved to Oakland and reopened later that year. Their loyal customers will miss opening the restaurant doors with the clever asparagus and carrot handles, but hopefully they will be in use again since the team may be launching a different version of Millennium in the future, stand by. 5912 College Ave. at Chabot, Oakland.

SFGATE wrote about the closure of Outer Richmond diner Eat Americana, which is closing after 30 years (owner Tony Lai is reportedly retiring). According to the story, “In 2016, Lai brought a local chef, James Moisey, on board to overhaul the menu into what it is today. Moisey had become well-known in San Francisco for his gluttonous, yet creative takes on diner food after stints at the Broken Record bar and his own restaurant, Rickybobby.” The diner’s last day of business will be Sunday April 12th. 3532 Balboa St.

This Friday, It’s Time to Go Out and Eat for SF Restaurant Week

Thanks to all of you who entered the San Francisco Restaurant Week giveaway on @tablehopper! 

Beginning this Friday April 10th through Sunday April 19th, you can take your pick from 200 restaurants throughout San Francisco that will offer prix-fixe lunch, brunch, and dinner menus for takeout, delivery, indoor, and outdoor dining. It’s a great time to meet a friend for lunch, or hit the town and try a new place for dinner! Be sure to look at the individual listings to see the SFRW menus and make your reservation. Here are a few offers that caught my eye:

For the giveaway, one winner gets a $150 gift certificate to Delfina, which is serving a classic dinner menu of guest faves for $65: primi: grilled calamari and white beans or insalata di campo; secondi: roasted chicken with mushrooms and olive oil mashed potatoes, or hanger steak and French fries, or spaghetti pomodoro; and for dessert: buttermilk panna cotta, or profiteroles with espresso gelato, warm chocolate sauce, and almonds. At Pizzeria Delfina, they’re doing a $45 menu with chicken or eggplant Parm! 

We also gave away a $100 gift certificate to Brenda’s French Soul Food, which has a $25 brunch menu and $35 lunch menu offer.

You can check out the atmospheric AMA by Bradley Kilgore with their $75 dinner menu (viewable here), which includes their kakigori for dessert.

I dig the upbeat Latin Caribbean Chao Pescao near City Hall, and their tasty ropa vieja is on their $35 three-course lunch menu, as well as their $75 five-course dinner menu, which also lists their deeeeeelicious lechón cubano (slow-cooked pork shoulder, salsa de mojo, habanero salsa, and the brilliant gremolata de chicharrón).

Flour + Water Pizzeria is running a Pizza Power Lunch with a $25 midday special for dine-in guests. Take your choice of a Caesar or chop salad, followed by a choice of Margherita, cacio e pepe, or pesto pizza. 532 Columbus Ave. 

At Early to Rise, the $25 weekday-only special means you basically get a warm, sugar-rolled donut and a cup of coffee (Signal Coffee) for free if you order their trademark eggs Benedict (normally $25) with their house-smoked Canadian bacon (be sure to buy a pack to bring home). You can also choose from the BLT with griddled challah bread, heirloom tomato, housemade bacon, and lemon aioli, or the seasonal blueberry-ricotta pancakes topped with almond crunch. 1801 McAllister St.

A bunch of places haven’t even posted their menus yet—be sure to check back in a couple days and look at the list of 200 restaurants participating in SFRW!

Booked Up

There are some upcoming author events for springtime book releases, starting with an upcoming book talk at Omnivore Books for Mariana Velásquez’s new book: Revel — A Maximalist’s Guide to Having People Over (sounds right up my alley), in conversation with A16’s Shelley Lindgren this Wednesday April 8th (6:30pm), and a book release dinner at A16 on Thursday April 9th (reserve from 5:30pm–9:30pm).

Velásquez is a chef, food stylist, and housewares designer who started the retail line Casa Velasquez, a brand that ventures into an unexplored consumer category: hosting-ware. Velásquez is also the designer of A16’s new restaurant, Lucania, opening later this year in the Ferry Building (more on that from me very soon!). 

In a couple weeks, cookbook author and culinary tour guide Domenica Marchetti of Domenica Cooks is going to be appearing at a number of events and signings for her Italian Cookies cookbook launch, featuring recipes and stories from all regions of Italy.

April 19th (3pm) is a book talk and cookie tasting with Kate Leahy at Omnivore Books in San Francisco; April 22nd (6pm), Marchetti is in conversation with Tori Ritchie at the Museo Italo Americano, San Francisco; April 23rd (6pm) is an appearance (La Dolce Vita Cookies & Wine) with Kitty Oestlien of Tansy Wines at Book Society Social, Berkeley; April 24th (11am–1pm) is cookies and coffee at The Caffè by Mr. Espresso, Oakland (there will be two cookies from the book especially for the event); and on April 25th (1pm–3pm), Marchetti is back in SF for the You Had Me at Almonds Pop-Up Bakesale at Kantine, San Francisco, a Cookbook Week event. Yay, we all need cookies.

fresh meat

Golden Child 

A couple months ago, I headed over to Kawanoya in Noe Valley for dinner (which you supporting subscribers already know opened recently in the former Clay Oven Indian Cuisine).

the sugar mama

Hey Boy, Hey Girl: Here’s Your Chance to Win Tickets to TOMORA at The Regency Ballroom

Last month, I attended the uplifting Franc Moody show (SO FUN) at the recently upgraded The Regency Ballroom, and they really had the sound and lighting dialed like I haven’t experienced there before. (I’m also digging that The Regency is just a quick walk down Van Ness Avenue for me.) Here’s the current calendar. 

You want to see a show, too? I have one pair of tickets to give away to TOMORA on Tuesday April 14th! This is a brand-new side project featuring Norwegian singer AURORA and Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers (Aurora was on The Chems’ No Geography album). TOMORA is releasing their debut album on April 17th, and this is their fans’ first chance to hear their new music live before the album is released! So cool, right? 

And be sure to grab a drink and a bite before the show at Dacha on Sutter, which is just a couple blocks away!