In February, Nori Nori “Craft Handrolls” opened at 124 Castro, replacing Afuri Ramen + Dumpling. The restaurant’s rear section, pending at this writing but “getting close,” could open in May as Nikuya Japanese Steakhouse. Staffer I spoke with was clearly enthused about the range of its planned menu.
738 Villa’s Café 86, a chain coffee-tea-dessert shop featuring ube (purple yam) specialties, opened in February.
Cafe Terrace opened late March, 975 W. Dana, with display case of colorful pastry creations and an espresso bar. One of the owners told me it’s an independent business with a “brunch” theme. (The site previously housed Yakko Sushi.)
“Coming soon” at press time: Limón Rotisserie, 800 California at Castro.
Sushi Arashi remains pending at 240 Castro (formerly Kappo Nami Nami), per a license-change notice dated late January.
236 Castro, last home to Umai Sushi by Mervyn’s, remains vacant and “For Lease” since late last year.
News too late for the newsletter (via city staff by way of Jamil Shaikh):
298 Castro (at Dana): Nick the Greek (a long-planned but seemingly stalled new restaurant replacing the former Rocket Fizz) had received a one-year permit extension good until December 2023, so the project remains alive.
A new restaurant tenant, Seasons Noodles and Dumplings Garden, is “Under construction,” 702 W. Dana (betw. Hope and Castro).
Provisional Use Permit issued for a new café/restaurant (“Kitchen Story / U Dessert Story“) replacing the former Jehning-family Lock Museum at “171 and 175 Castro.”
