China Live
China Live puts the culinary vision of San Francisco back into it’s tasty hands. Acting as an interactive culinary and cultural destination in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, they offer an in-depth exploration of Greater Chinese gastronomy. The mission is to demystify Chinese ingredients and recipes while educating guests on the rich history and influence. a 120-seat full-service eatery includes a rotating menu of eight specialized stations: dumplings and dim sum, rice bowls, Chinese charcuterie and barbecue, cold salad, noodles and rice bowls, fresh seafood, soups and tonics, wok stir fry and grill, and desserts. Forget being hungry. // 644 Broadway St., Chinatown, chinalivesf.com
Fermentation Lab
A collaboration between Jeannie Kim (Sam’s Diner) and “Beer Chef” Bruce Paton, Fermentation Lab acts just like it’s name, a lab to experiment with the power of beer. Picture: 25 beers on tap, vegetarian-friendly selection of charcuterie plates, deviled eggs, sandwiches, salads, and fermented foods. And just so you’re in the know on this new space: The pub will also donate 10 percent of the restaurant’s sales from beer and wine to a local charity of the customer’s choosing. // 1230 Market St (Mid-Market), fermlabsf.com
Verve Coffee Roasters
Making it’s renovations at 2101 Market Street (at Church). Coffees from Verve, a roastery based in Santa Cruz that has done most of their cafe expansion in Los Angeles so far, will now be available amongst the crazy amount of coffee choices in the Castro. Being in the middle of 6 busy MUNI lines, good news column for this Verve location, it comes with baked goods from Los Gatos-based Manresa Bread, run by star chef David Kinch and head baker Avery Ruzicka, marking the first outpost where that relatively new bakery’s stuff will be available in the city. LA-based firm Design, Bitches will “give a nod to the breezy naturalism shared among iconic artists and architects along the Northern California coast in the 1960s.” We’re hoping for a clearly Santa Cruz vibe in SF. // 2101 Market Street, Castro, vervecoffee.com
Gilman Brewing Company
The whole consensus of this Berkeley-based brewery: no attitude. just good beer. The team over at Gilman Brewing Company promise chill hangs and no snotty servers. The dream has finally been realized. Come on down Thursday through Sunday 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. during, what they call, their “limp opening” and enjoy just a comfortable room, normal people, and some good beer. Grab a tall pint of their French Farmhouse (which has a spicy body from the wheat with a dry finish) and melt into the warmth of the mood. // 912 Gilman St., Berkeley, gilmanbrew.com
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