The burgeoning area of western SOMA, which until recently was a wasteland of industrial spaces, nightclubs, Costco, and a few offices with bits of housing scattered around, is coming up in the world. Thus it stands to reason that it should have a café that serves Blue Bottle and fancy sandwiches. Enter Gaslamp Café, a new venture from first-time restaurateur Albert Lee opening today at 1599 Howard Street (at 12th). It joins the newly open 1601 Bar & Kitchen across the street on what was formerly a pretty dull corner — 1601, an upscale restaurant serving Sri Lankan-influenced California cuisine, was formerly home to Sage, a bare-bones cafe/lounge.

Gaslamp specializes in breakfast and lunch, for now, but as Eater reports there's a possibility that New Orleans-trained chef Emmanuel Garba will incorporate some Cajun flare to the menu eventually. See the somewhat fuzzy menu here, and note that espresso drinks are made with Blue Bottle beans, and that they also serve Five Mountains tea.

And yes, there are a couple faux gaslamps, for decor.

Gaslamp Cafe - 1599 Howard Street - 415-580-7493 - Open Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday.

[Eater]