Looking for somewhere new to eat? Make reservations at one of these new hot spots.
The Nomica Bowl(Courtesy of Nomica)
Contemporary Japanese @ Nomica
Love Sausalito's Sushi Ran? Then look out for the restaurant group's city venture, Nomica, opening later this month. But don't expect any sushi: Chef Hiroo Nagahara, a Tokyo native whose resume includes stints with Charlie Trotter and the Chairman food truck, is collaborating with the Sushi Ran team on a menu of modern Japanese cuisine. Look for housemade organic matcha butter and a dish of Hokkaido koji with pickled Japanese apricot "anchovy." Nomica will be open for dinner nightly, and the team is hinting at adding brunch later on. The full bar will highlight Awamori, a distilled alcohol of Okinawa origin, made of long-grain indica rice sourced from Thailand. // Nomica, 2223 Market St. (Upper Market), nomicasf.com
Inside Mason Pacific.(Courtesy of Luke Beard)
The Return of Mason Pacific
For regulars to Mason Pacific before it closed down due to fire, this is the moment you've been waiting for. The neighborhood restaurant is back online and has a new toque at the helm: Chef Max Mackinnon, a 2012 James Beard Award nominee, is cooking up such hearty fare as Santa Barbara sea urchin with potatoes, garlic, and seaweed; braised lamb with flowering broccoli and citrus broth; Liberty Farms duck with eggplant, mushroom and turnips; and a dry-aged ribeye for two. Ask Master Sommelier Dustin Wilson to recommend a wine pairing. // Mason Pacific, 1358 Mason St. (Nob Hil), masonpacific.com
Sushi Hon omakase(Courtesy of Sushi Hon)
Budget-Friendly Omakase @ Sushi Hon
Omakase die-hards have an affordable new mecca at Sushi Hon, where the 11-course menu, consisting of the highest quality line-caught fish flow in from Japan's Tsukiji Market, costs just 65 bucks. From the owner of Cow Hollow's Tamashisoul Sushi Bar and run by chefs Zhi Song (Gintei) and Sun Kjung Jang (Michael Mina), the restaurant will serve traditional sushi as well as French-influenced dishes such as stuffed squid with black ink risotto; king salmon ceviche; uni pasta; and butter-poached black cod. Paired with sake, French wines, and Japanese beer. // 2598 Harrison St. (Mission), sushihonsf.com
The glowing interior of Scopo Divino(Courtesy of Scopo Divino)
Wine Bar Style @ Scopo Divino
Pacific Heights newcomer Scopo Divino has all the ambiance you'd want from a really good wine bar. The 1,000-bottle wine list is accompanied by a menu of light nibbles, including the ubiquitous cheese and charcuterie, as well as dollar oysters Wednesdays through Sundays (3 to 6pm). For regulars, a membership program promises discounts on wine. // Scopo Divino, 2800 California St. (Pac Heights), scopodivino.com
Blueberry and strawberry muffins are on offer at Glütless.(Courtesy of Glütless)
GF Treats @ Glütless
Gluten-Free palates matter too, and no one knows this as well as folks with Celiac disease. On a mission to bring more and better GF fare to San Francisco, Glütless lacks on style but makes up for it in comfort for gluten-free folks with sweet and savory breads, muffins, and cakes (including a new pineapple coconut cake that looks absolutely divine), pizzas, and sandwiches (coming soon). Head to the now-open TenderNob bakery, or order online for delivery. // 325 Mason St. (TenderNob), glutless.com
Sports + Brews @ Buzzworks
As if SoMa needed another sports bar to cater to beer-drinking Giants fans, Buzzworks has joined the crowd with more than 100 bottled and canned beers plus 40 more on tap. Soak it up with light bar bites like chips and salsa, carrots and ranch dip, salads, and an assortment of sweets, and settle in to catch the game on TV. Care to make your own entertainment? This gamers' haven also has seven pinball machines, two pool tables, and foosball. // Buzzworks, 365 11th St. (SoMa), sfbuzzworks.com
