This week brought the menu for Lark, a new spot from chef-owner Coskun Abik of Dunya that we've been tracking as it prepares to open in the former Brandy Ho's space on Monday. And, after the many closure bummers announced last week, we've got one more. Minako, the Mission Street family operation beloved for its kooky menu and big rolls, will soon close. We'll keep on eye on that as they potentially seek a new location.
The big news is that The Chairman, known far and wide for slinging inventive bao like Coca-Cola braised pork from their big red trucks, is finally parking somewhere for good. Don't worry, the trucks (and lines) will continue. The brick and mortar operation debuts at 670 Larkin on Monday. Inside Scoop repots that we can expect rice bowls, gluten free buns, wings, and fries topped with that togarashi/seaweed seasoning they use on the wonton chips.
Eater reports that Ichi Kakiya, an oyster bar with plenty of sake, has opened at 3369 Mission Street. This one comes from sushi power couple Tim and Erin Archuleta of Ichi Sushi + Ni Bar, and though it's a spin-off, it's very much a return to their roots. The space is where they started Ichi before expanding it down the street last year.
Traci Des Jardins is growing her army of ventures in the Presidio, Inside Scoop reports. Fine, it was previously just Arguello and The Commissary, and to be precise, she's expanded and refined the former Le Terrasse/Transit Cafe into a breakfast and lunch spot. Transit will serve breakfast burritos, burgers, and some Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Good news is finalized for Millennium fans. That expected move to Rockridge, which follows the 21-year old vegan restaurant's closure in January, has been confirmed by chef and co-owner Eric Tucker to Inside Scoop. The new Millennium (as we should call it) will occupy the former Box & Bells space at 5912 College Ave.
Somehow Divis didn't have a Chinese restaurant, but that's all fixed now according to Hoodline. At 1615 McAllister Street Kung Food has opened for mostly Hunan and Mandarin food plus a little dim sum.
Hoodline also has some closure news: Schulzie’s Bread Pudding will be shutting down next Tuesday. Owner Sarah Schulz says there's no need to weep, as they're looking to package and distribute the cold bread pudding goodness soon.
Last, Richmond SF Blog reports that a new patisserie. Arsicault Bakery, is open at 397 Arguello. It comes from a first-time business owner whose grandparents ran a boulangerie of the same name once upon a time in France.
This Week in Reviews
Mr. Michael Bauer’s midweek review brought him to Boxing Room, where he thinks things are peachy with the new liquor license. Sounds like he enjoys a good Sazerac! Chef Justin Simoneaux's rabbit and dumplings was also a hit, and though the beignets "had the texture of three-day-old cake," the place earned its two-and-a-half stars.
Despite the three stars bestowed by Bauer on Liholiho Yacht Club, Trevor Felch at the Weekly had a few points of contention, delivered in the voice of a wise surfer no less. Though he loves Chef Ravi Kapur's poke, "which speaks fully of Hawaii," and happily downed a Castaway cocktail, he found that there are "just not enough moments that sweep diners away from their plates to grab a ukulele and start singing." That would be a terrible thing to do, and overall, he thinks things will shape up.
Over at the Examiner, Molly Gore takes on Aaron London's new Mission spot, AL's Place, calling it "both nurturing and full of heart," if kind of expensive.
And for Mr. Bauer's Sunday review, he also reviews AL's Place, and even though it reads like a rave, the star rating doesn't match the text. He only ends up giving the place two and a half stars overall it gets three stars for food, and had either the service (which he complimented) or the atmosphere gotten half a star more, it would have been a three-star review.