The Bay Area’s Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy

No need to run into the city for a plate of briny oysters, crusty bread, and a great glass of wine. This Livermore spot, overseen by a couple of alums of San Francisco and L.A. heavy-hitters, has that and more, with a compelling list of sake to boot.

Caviar pancakes, cheesy “pop tarts,” and all kinds of fancy snacks are the name of the game here, alongside a stellar collection of wine, sake, and bubbles. You’ll recognize the former Avery space — the tasting menu is gone, but the same team has designed the ultimate wine bar experience.

Eight seats, 18 courses, and selections brought in by a preeminent fish broker who only sells directly to this one restaurant in the U.S.: No details are spared for this omakase experience, from the soy sauce to the vinegar used to season the rice. It’s no wonder the pop-up was so successful and destined to be a permanent fixture.

More casual than contemporary Indian sibling Rooh, Pippal is where you’ll find modern twists of regional Indian dishes, plus an array of uniquely fun and delicious cocktails.

Hidden below Liholiho Yacht Club is the Gen-Gen Room, which is newly reopened after a long hiatus. It’s now a private event space and the beautiful jewel box of a room can fit 10 to 20 diners. The price includes a seated, family-style menu, Tuesday through Saturday.

One of the Mission’s most exciting newcomers this year, Bar Gemini is a stunning natural wine bar. Pro tip: You’ll go for the wines, of course, but don’t miss the food. It comes courtesy of Ernest next door. That’s neighborly love.

An everyday restaurant where anyone — families, couples, friends — can hang out over plates of spaghetti alla chitarra, fried mozzarella-stuffed bread with marinara, and spumoni sundaes, courtesy of Tan Truong, one of the partners behind local sushi sensation Ju-Ni.

Where French simplicity meets San Francisco’s seasonality, the ever-changing tasting menus here are meant for everyday dining. Maybe that’s dry-aged amberjack with black turnips and compressed persimmons, ricotta gnocchi with foraged mushrooms, or ribeye with charred eggplant. Choose your own adventure.

Chef Adam Tortosa’s contemporary omakase is a perfect fit for the Peninsula crowd. Like the original Hayes Valley outpost, it’s less about the bounty of Japan for the menu, and more about top-tier ingredients available here. The customized menu fits any price and preference; just make sure to sit back and enjoy the show.

The blend of Persian and Mexican influences permeates the entire space, from the boldly rich colors in the dining room to the menu. Think pomegranate paired with adobo, and saffron-infused Tequila on the cocktail side. Even the brunch menu’s in on it — yes to huevos rancheros with refried garbanzos, Aleppo salsa macha and eggs.

Fire pits, low-slung sofas, al fresco cocktails on the rooftop, and sweeping views of Mt. Tam are worth a Marin County outing. The food, from oysters and crudo to chicken souvlaki, is snackable and shareable. Even locals feel like they’re on vacation here.

You know life is back in order when you can get a beer boot and bratwurst at Leopold’s. The friendly neighborhood gasthaus has a few nips and tucks, and a fresh coat of paint, but the lively atmosphere remains. As does the schnitzel, and really, isn’t that all that matters?

Doesn’t matter what coast or waterfront view, chef Helene Henderson’s farm-fresh dishes are quintessentially Californian. The Marin outpost has all the favorites: watermelon cocktails, lobster sliders, roasted chicken with cauliflower mash, and more.

A boulangerie and cafe by day and a full-scale restaurant by night, Troubador already has Healdsburg abuzz. You’ll want to grab a Resy for the evening affair, wherein the team produces a French-inspired, six-course prix fixe menu that blends classic and modern.