New on Resy: Brown Sugar Kitchen, Copas, Penny Roma, and More

You don’t want to miss Brown Sugar Kitchen’s superb soul food from Top Chef competitor Tanya Holland, who brings her versions of the classics to West Oakland using local, seasonal ingredients.

Not surprisingly, pasta is the main focus at this spot from the same team behind Flour+Water. Expect beautifully handmade creations like agnolotti dal plin and tagliatelle Bolognese, accompanied by fresh crudi, antipasti and contorni, along with wood-fired primi.

This vibrant Spanish- and Mexican-influenced yet unmistakably Californian spot from the Saison team doesn’t disappoint. Pro tip: don’t miss the Farmer’s Market Toast, where avocado is just the beginning.

Red leather button-tufted banquettes, subtle chiaroscuro lighting, and an evocative room-length mural of Vietnamese country life set the scene for the upscale fare at this Inner Richmond hot spot. Come at lunchtime for the signature Phở Bò — part French dip sandwich, part bánh mì, and with hot phở broth for dipping — or book one of the occasional Lucy’s Table feasts, a multi-course meal based on Vietnamese homestyle cooking.

It’s the epitome of a San Francisco bistro that’s a classic in the making: a comfortable minimalist interior, good wines at fair prices, and a concise menu of approachable dishes, mostly with an Asian accent.

Expect New Delhi-style cuisine at this handsome San Mateo County establishment owned by Silicon-Valley-executive-turned-restaurateur Ajay Walia, who also owns Rasa Contemporary Indian in Burlingame. Pro tip: Don’t miss the baked-to-order breads.

Yet more proof that San Francisco is blessed with incredible Italian restaurants. At this perpetually busy, simply-but-comfortably-furnished place, the pastas are made in-house daily, the focaccia is freshly baked, the produce comes from Bay Area farms, and the wines are chosen with flair.

Here’s good news for fans of the popular Ichi Sushi in Bernal Heights, which closed permanently in the early months of the pandemic: first-rate sushi is back in the same warm, intimate space. The chef-proprietor is now Erik Alpin, a veteran of Ichi (and of Morimoto Napa and Matsuhisa Vail), and the two omakase menus feature local, seasonal ingredients.

With its appealing menu of California-accented Palestinian specialties for breakfast, brunch, and lunch (think shouka-quiles, a shakshouka/chilequiles mashup), you won’t want to miss a visit to Lulu. The chef in charge here is Mona Leena — childhood nickname “Lulu,” Arabic for “pearl” — who won a following for her early-pandemic-era pop-up, Mana’eesh Lady.

East Bay sushi lovers in the know compete for seats at this jewel-box-sized local favorite with only seven seats and two seatings a night that was opened by chef Chikara Ono (Delage, AS B-Dama, etc.). Sushi master Joji Nonaka is in charge of the exquisitely crafted set menus.

The joint is jumping at this buzzy community-focused women-owned Temescal cocktail bar. The vibe is intoxicating, and the small menu is full of just the kinds of things you’ll want to eat with your mezcal-based Down the Rabbit Hole or your rum-and-rye Copper Cat.

Now here’s a different way to spend a Wednesday: up your shell game at one of the West Coast’s premium oyster farms, with Hog Island’s Whole Hog Experience, complete with oyster tasting, shucking lessons, and an oyster-based lunch (or dip your toe in the water with the shorter, simpler Classic Farm Tour, shucking instructions and tasting included).

Don’t wait for St. Patrick’s Day to find your way to this New Jersey-style Irish pub and restaurant — inspired by the Garden State original and run by the grandson of the East Coast version’s founder. Look for classic pub fare and plenty of beer, both draught and bottled.