San Francisco’s restaurant scene is one of the best in the country, and it’s always full of new places to try. Whether it’s with savory momos, afternoon tea, or or some croissant French toast, here’s where to go to try the top new restaurants in town.
Fisher Loft
Union Square has a new all-day restaurant and bar ideal for afternoon tea. Fisher Loft in the Palihotel is a floral-filled, light, and bright space that serves breakfast through dinner with dishes such as blueberry pancakes, burgers, and Greek salad. As for that tea service, it’s a deal: earl grey or chamomile tea, a cheese and pickle tea sandwich, smoked salmon finger sandwich, egg salad sandwich, and petit fours are all just $35 for two people.
The Greenwich
The team behind uber-popular spots like Marlowe and Leo’s Oyster Bar has added a Hamptons-inspired bistro to Cow Hollow. The menu from chef Jennifer Puccio focuses on raw bar, salads, and mains, with dishes such as a tuna crudo chef’s salad, chicken milanese, and the famous Marlowe burger with bacon, cheddar, caramelized onions, and horseradish aioli. A robust happy hour offers $1.50 oysters, $5 beer, $8 wine, and $10 cocktails in the bright beachy space with blue, white, and brass touches.
Maison Danel
A chic new patisserie and cafe has entered the Tenderloin, serving up elegant pastries and tea service from the owners of Cow Hollow’s popular Baker Street Bistro. There are definite Parisian vibes in the exposed brick- and chandelier-filled, high-ceilinged space, where French pastry chef Adrien Chabot serves up croissants, éclairs, macarons, and more. The afternoon tea menu offers pots of tea, pastries, finger sandwiches, and Champagne, though the restaurant is open for weekday lunch and brunch, too, with dishes like duck confit, niçoise salad, and croissant French toast.
Rose Indian Cuisine
Rave reviews are rolling in for Rose Indian Cuisine, a new Inner Sunset restaurant serving Himalayan and Indian fare. The family-owned restaurant from chef Om Kandel — whose brother runs Tara Indian Cuisine in the Castro — sources from local farmers and greenmarkets for curries, biryanis, tandoori dishes, thali, naan, and momos. The warm space features sunny yellow walls, Indian tapestries, and plants.
Sushi Shio
SF gets another omakase spot from the team behind Sushi Hon and Sushi Ondo. There’s a bar for a $115 customizable 12-piece omakase menu, but Sushi Shio also has 48 seats for a la carte ordering of rolls such as yellowtail with yuzu and truffle dressing or fatty tuna with Osetra caviar. Chef Alex Kim sources the fish from Japan, and drinks in the black-and-white space include wine, sake, beer, and tea.
