The April Hit List: Ernest, Californios, Sister, Habibi, and More

The talented Brandon Rice, former chef de cuisine at Rich Table, has finally opened the doors to his own spot, and this just might be the opening of the year so far. The menu ranges from snacks (hello pork and mushroom dumplings) to large format (we see you, cote de boeuf) But probably best to not make decisions, and just let the kitchen cook for you so you can try as much of the menu as possible. Read more on Ernest here.

Open for outdoor dining.

Sticky lamb ribs with fennel herb salad, baby purple artichokes, a very spring-y bucatini with mint, pesto, spring onions, pea tendrils and pecorino and more await you at Sister in Oakland. Dine outdoors in their patio or take it to go and grab a loaf of their excellent bread while you’re at it — the choice is yours.

Opening for outdoor dining and takeout.

Habibi is a pop-up bar at Bacchus Wine Bar on Hyde Street run by three wine industry vets: Essam Kardosh, Andrew Paul Nelson, and Bahman Safari. They offer a running menu of snacks that go well with their selections of low-intervention wines by the glass or bottle, including a charcuterie and cheese plate, a changing dip, oeuf mayonnaise,  and more. Keep an eye out on their Instagram for interesting pop-ups from other industry friends.

Open for outdoor dining.

Oakland, enjoy a pandemic tasting menu on the patio at Mark Liberman’s neighborhood bistro Mägo. He’s currently offering a menu of coastal Colombian cuisine that changes nightly, but might include things like stinging nettle bunuelo, sturgeon with achiote, arepas, and more.  There’s also a vegetarian version of the menu, as well as a separate sandwich-centric menu situation.

Opening for outdoor dining and takeout.

Flour + Water Pizzeria is back with a brand new parklet. Eating their gorgeous, generous pepperoni pies and excellent, crunchy, crispy mozzarella sticks on Valencia is something we missed so much and we’re so glad they’ve returned. Don’t forget the salted caramel soft serve for dessert.

Open for outdoor dining and takeout.

Mole, memelas, and crispy tlayudas can be found at Cafe de Olla, a new Oaxacan spot on Mission and 19th. Run by friends Francisco Camacho and Eduardo Antonio, they’ve been open and shut during the pandemic, but things are steadying. Everybody is welcome here.

Opening for outdoor dining and takeout.

Robin is back serving up nigiri, sashimi, their excellent beef tartare, and more. They’ve got a parklet built on Gough Street so you can enjoy their contemporary omakase outdoors.

Open for outdoor dining.

Niku is bringing the meatsweats with both Japanese and American cuts cooked over a wood-fired grill. Creative vegetable sides like crispy potatoes with beef fat and chickpea miso, carrots with coffee and cardamom, and grilled maitake with California bay will help round out the meaty meal.

Open for outdoor dining

If you’d like to have a truly wonderful omakase, head to the unsuspecting Sasaki on 20th Street in the Mission for Masaki “Masa” Sasaki’s mastery. Though you won’t get the full counter experience just yet, they’re doing a special abbreviated nigiri menu. Come here to see a study in superb sushi rice.

Open for outdoor dining.

Val Cantu’s excellent fine-dining modern Mexican mecca Californios is back, this time in the former Bar Agricole space. It’s still a tasting menu, it’s still white tablecloth, and for now it’s all outdoor, and we’re so glad they’re back in action.

Opening for outdoor dining.

Uncle Tito offers Filipino-American comfort food in the form of Baon Boxes, large sharable family style meals like the Silog Special (beet-cured chicken tocino, whole crispy milkfish, fried eggs, and banana crème lumpia), or the Spaghetti and Chicken Joy, a nod to fast-food chain Jollibee that’s filled with sweet spaghetti and eight pieces of crispy chicken wings.

Available for pickup or delivery.