According to a recently submitted alcohol license application, Saison Cellars plans to debut a new spot for wine and eats in South Beach. Taking over the former Petit Marlowe space at 234 Townsend Street, the concept will land near establishments such as District San Francisco, Little Skillet, and Rooftop 25. For readers who are unfamiliar with Saison Cellars, the winemaker — founded by Mark Bright — offers a brief introduction on its website: “We source our grapes from some of the most interesting plots in the Santa Cruz Mountains, including Regan, Coastview, and Wirz vineyards.” “Because Ma ..read more

According to SF Eater, the team behind Press is debuting a new concept in St. Helena — Under-Study. Coming to 607 Street Helena Highway, taking over a space formerly home to the Dean & DeLuca grocery store, the eatery will land just down the street from Press at 587 Saint Helena Highway, near Flora Springs Tasting Room, HALL Wines, and V. Sattui Winery. What Now San Francisco reached out to Chef Philip Tessier and the concept’s director of operations, Justin Williams, to inquire about the upcoming eatery, but they could not provide additional information before publication. Neve ..read more

According to SF Eater, The Monk’s Kettle is shuttering its spot at 3141 16th Street and relocating to Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood — taking over a space formerly home to Citron at 5484 College Avenue, near A16, Belotti Ristorante e Bottega, and Kitchen Story Oakland. Locals can expect the location to boast a large bar and a dining room with an outdoor deck “next to a lemon tree and an overhead trellis.” Additionally, parklets in front of the restaurant will offer open-air seating. “The 16th Street location will stay open through June; the Monk’s Team will then move operations into th ..read more

Houston-based Italian restaurant chain Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen is expanding to the Bay Area, according to Chain Store Age. Behind the growth are franchisees Dr. Shaukat Shah and Asad Shah, who have signed a multi-unit agreement to open new locations in San Joaquin, Danville, Modesto, San Joaquin, and Stockton. “During our visit to Russo’s location in Houston while exploring various pizza franchise options, Russo’s truly stood out among the competition,” Shah tells the journal. “The exceptional quality of ingredients and flavors convinced us to choose Russo’s for o ..read more

According to a recently submitted alcohol license application, San Mateo’s elevated comfort food eatery Rise Woodfire is expanding to Santa Clara. Coming to 3905 Rivermark Plaza, the restaurant will land near establishments including Hyatt House, Peet’s Coffee, and Red Robin Burgers. For readers who are unfamiliar with the concept, Rise Woodfire offers a brief introduction on its website: “Born out of our owners Omid and Susan’s passion for people, pizza, and wood-fired cooking, our menu brings together an unexpected yet delicious combo of rotisserie fare, wood-fired pizza, and even homemade ..read more

According to a recently submitted permit application, local pizzeria chain Mombo’s Pizza plans to debut a new outpost in Cotati. Coming to 8252 Old Redwood Highway, the eatery will land near local favorites such as El Paso Bakery, Redwood Cafe, and the bar Spancky’s. For readers who are unfamiliar with Mombo’s, the concept was founded by Fred and Marianna Poulos in 2002, when they opened the flagship location in Santa Rosa. Presently, the business is owned by Andrew Peletz, a former mentee of Fred’s, and operates three outposts in the Bay Area. On the menu are East Coast-style pizzas, pasta ..read more

Cha, a new Thai tea shop, is opening in Berkeley, according to a recently submitted permit application. Coming to 1796 Shattuck Avenue, taking over the former Fertile Grounds space, the cafe will land near establishments such as the Korean restaurant Mad Seoul, Party Sushi, and Victory Point Cafe. Aya Amornpan, who owns the business alongside June Bunmeeamorn, tells What Now San Francisco that Cha’s menu will focus on Thai teas and snacks, including sandwiches and traditional desserts — specifically mentioning a “custard-coated toast.” The cozy, 1000-square-foot spot will offer indoor seating ..read more

According to a recently submitted permit application, a new Chinese restaurant, Zhangliang Malatang, is coming to Berkeley. Taking over the former KoKoLo Donburi space at 2237 Shattuck Avenue, the eatery will land near businesses such as the Cajun concept Angeline’s Louisiana Kitchen, Little Plearn Thai Kitchen, and the hot pot-centric eatery Tasty Pot. “We’ll only do some minor changes like painting. No major changes in the place,” the concept’s owner, Zitao Zheng, discloses in the filing. While the menu has not been announced yet, the submission reveals that the eatery does not intend to se ..read more

According to a recently submitted permit application, a new South Indian restaurant is coming to Berkeley. Taking over the former Tako Sushi space at 2379 Telegraph Avenue, the eatery will land near businesses such as Champion’s Curry, the rock climbing gym Mosaic Boulders, and Super Duper Burgers. The concept’s owner, Shilov Mani of Foodiefingers LLC, tells What Now San Francisco that the name of the upcoming eatery has not been established, but that more information — including what will be offered on the menu — will be available around the restaurant’s opening date in June. The filing does ..read more

According to a recently submitted permit application, Bay Area restaurateur Andrew McGee is planning to debut a new restaurant in Berkeley. Coming to 915 University Avenue, Butterfish Sushi will take over the former Boochman Kombucha space, landing near establishments such as Bombay Spice House, La Marcha Tapas Bar, and Mercado 925. For readers who are unfamiliar with McGee, he was the most recent owner of Berkeley’s Albatross Pub — a “longtime UC-area staple” that offered “beer, darts & board games in a lived-in setting with welcoming vibes” before it shuttered in late 2020. He is also a ..read more