According to a recently submitted permit application, one of the founders of Sancha Sushi, restaurateur Nisaa Karim, plans to debut a new concept in San Francisco. Coming to 301 W Portal Avenue, Lion (as it’s listed on the filing) will land near establishments such as Ballast Coffee, Elena’s Mexican, and Sushi Suki. Alongside Karim on the application is Enkhtuguldur Sukhbaatar, the former owner of Togi’s Mongolian Cuisine before it shuttered in 2018. What Now San Francisco reached out to the pair, but could not gather additional information before the time of publication.  It’s not clear ..read more

According to a recently submitted alcohol license application, one of the restaurateurs behind Jora Peruvian Food — a concept located at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose — plans to debut a new eatery in Los Altos.  Coming to 376 1st Street, Callao Restaurant — as it’s listed on the filing — will land near establishments such as Bluestone Lane Cafe and The Original Pancake House, as well as Shoup Park. For readers who are unfamiliar with Jora Peruvian Food, the restaurant’s founders, Juan Carlos Sosaya and Arturo Bazán, share their inspiration for starting the ..read more

AH2 announced the grand reopening of Michelin-rated Horn Barbecue on Friday, April 26th, at its new, permanent location at 464 8th Street, Oakland. Despite a tragic arson event five months ago that devastated the original site on Mandela Parkway, the resilience of the Horn family has propelled them to not only rebuild but also to reinvent. As part of the exciting relaunch, Horn Barbecue is delighted to announce the seamless integration of select Matty’s Old Fashioned favorites directly into the Horn Barbecue menu, as the space has transitioned. To enhance convenience without sacrificing quali ..read more

According to a recently submitted alcohol license application, Bay Area pizzeria chain Giorgio’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria is expanding — planning to debut a new outpost in Mountain View.  Coming to 939 W El Camino Real — a spot formerly home to Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi Too! — the eatery will land near establishments such as Mr. Sun Tea, Oh Honey Macaron, and RRR Biryanis. “Giorgio’s will be housed in a mixed-use building that will have another commercial tenant on the ground floor and 60 units of memory care on the 2nd and 3rd floor,” the concept shares on its ..read more

According to a recently submitted alcohol license application, Santa Rosa-based concept Los Molcajetes Bar & Grill is expanding — planning to debut a new outpost in Sonoma. Coming to 19101 Sonoma Highway — a spot formerly home to Mexican restaurant Kina’a Kitchen & Bar — the eatery will land near establishments such as the grocery store Lucky, the Maxwell Village Shopping Center, and Rite Aid. “‘Molcajete’ is a basic item of Mexican cuisine that has been used since pre-Hispanic times and has given a unique flavor to Mexican food,” the eatery shares on its website, explaining its name ..read more

According to a recently submitted permit application, Chinese bubble tea shop chain HEYTEA plans to debut its first outpost in Berkeley.  Coming to 2125 Shattuck Avenue — a spot formerly home to Bao Dim To Go — the cafe will land near establishments such as Bag O’ Crab, the Persian restaurant Daryoush, and the Izakaya restaurant Ippuku.  Franchisee Eddie Hu tells What Now San Francisco that the small cafe will accommodate approximately six tables and that he chose the location due to its proximity to the Berkeley campus. For readers who are unfamiliar with the company, it offer ..read more

According to a recently submitted alcohol license application, a new Nepalese and Indian eatery plans to debut in Berkeley. Coming to 508 Valencia Street — taking over a spot formerly home to Indochine Vegan — Himalayan Hub will land near establishments such as Pancho Villa Taqueria, the Pakistani restaurant Pakwan, and Stonemill Matcha. Himalayan Hub’s owner, Ram Shrestha, tells What Now San Francisco that the eatery will open in approximately three months — after completing minor renovations, receiving mandatory permits, and developing the menu. While specifics are not yet available, locals ..read more

According to a recently submitted alcohol license application, Jeremy Blaringhem — the chef behind the Bay Area concept Bouche, known for its Californian-French fare — plans to debut a new eatery in San Francisco’s Sunset District.  Coming to 3554-3560 Taraval Street, Galinette — as listed on the filing — will land near establishments such as Andytown Coffee Roasters, Bundoks Burgers, and Underdogs Too.  For readers who are unfamiliar with Blaringhem, the chef — alongside Julie Fulton — has become known for his work at Bouche, where he dishes out brunch and lunch plates ranging from ..read more

Known as a “local neighborhood haunt serving classic French bistro fare in a casual, cozy, and colorful space,” Bay Area concept Chouchou French Bistro is opening at a new location in the Castro. Coming to 2362 Market Street, the restaurant will take over the former Catch SF space — which closed in March, according to an announcement on its website — landing near establishments such as the gym Barry’s Castro, Starbelly, and Super Duper Burgers. For readers who are unfamiliar with Chouchou’s, on its website, the eatery introduces itself as an “authentic French Restaurant that of ..read more

According to a recently submitted permit application, local winemaker Rampant Wine Co. plans to debut a dining concept in Outer Richmond. Coming to 3516 Balboa Street, the eatery will land near establishments such as Devil’s Teeth Baking Company, Eat Americana, and Simple Pleasures Cafe. For readers who are unfamiliar with Rampant, the winegrower offers a brief introduction on its website: “It’s all about farming. Organic? Yes! Biodynamic? Yes! Regenerative? Yes! Herbicides? Definitely not! Synthetic pesticides? C’mon now!” “The natural wines we sell are site-expressive and represen ..read more