5 Hot New SF Restaurants Where You Can Still Snag A Table This Weekend

5 Hot New SF Restaurants Where You Can Still Snag A Table This WeekendPhoto: Barcino/Facebook
Hoodline
Published on October 04, 2017

Looking to try something new this weekend? You're in luck—some of the hottest new restaurants in San Francisco still have tables available, many of them at prime dinner hours. All of these spots have opened in the past several months, and span a range of cuisines, from Spanish to sushi to pizza. Get your next date night ready to go. 

Barcino
399 Grove St.

This new Spanish spot from the Absinthe Group (which are also behind Absinthe and Bellota) has made a splash since taking over the Boxing Room space in Hayes Valley. The menu features all the Spanish classics, from patatas bravas to lamb albondigas, with a California spin—think bombas with pickled chanterelle mushrooms. There's also a big selection of cocktails, from sangria to gin and tonic, a Spanish favorite. 

Tables for two are still available at 8pm and 8:45pm on Friday and Saturday, Parties of four have fewer options, but can dine at 9:30 on Saturday or 9:45 on Friday—prime dinner times, by Spanish standards. 

Book on OpenTable >>

Alta 
1275 Minnesota St.

Photo: Alta/Facebook

Daniel Patterson's Alta CA, a favorite in Mid-Market, has expanded to Dogpatch—minus the CA in the name, but with the same take on California comfort food. Expect hearty fare like heirloom tomato salad with burrata, kimchi deviled eggs, artisan cheese plates, and the Alta burger, along with soft-serve sundaes and a big selection of cocktails. 

Tables for two or four remain for many time slots on Friday and Saturday, including prime times between 7 and 9pm. 

Book on OpenTable >>

China Live
644 Broadway

Photo: China Live/Facebook

This sprawling Chinatown complex and marketplace is intended to provide a hip, modern spotlight on the history and variety of Chinese cuisine. As a result, its downstairs market restaurant has a supersized menu, with six different kinds of dumplings, authentic Chinese-style barbecue, and freshly made noodle dishes. There are even fancy takes on Chinese desserts, from egg custard tarts to soy milk panna cotta. 

China Live is all booked up on Saturday, but some slots for two remain on Friday, including 5:30pm and 9pm. If you have a bigger party, they also save a lot of room for walk-ins. 

Book on OpenTable >>

Robin
620 Gough St.

Photo: Robin/Facebook

This new-school sushi spot in Hayes Valley is a little different from a lot of high-end omakase places around town: the nigiri feature unusual ingredients like potato chips, confit tomatoes, and whipped tofu, and the soundtrack eschews traditional Japanese music for old-school hip-hop. But you'll still get personalized service at the sushi bar, featuring ultra-fresh fish.

Robin is almost booked up for the weekend, but still has spots for two at 5:30 or 10pm on Friday, and 10pm on Saturday. If you're willing to mix it up and visit on Sunday, you can score a prime 8pm time slot. 

Book on Resy >>

Ardiana
1781 Church St.

Photo: Ardiana/Facebook

Sharon Ardiana is one of San Francisco's pizza masters, drawing big crowds at Glen Park's Gialina and Divisadero's Ragazza. Now, she's opened a third space in Noe Valley, taking over the former La Nebbia. Ardiana offers both a classic New York pie and some California-style creations, like burrata and squash blossom. To start, there's a selection of Mediterranean dips to enjoy with warm pita, like carrot hummus and roasted eggplant with pomegranate molasses. 

Ardiana is sold out on Friday, but still has spots open for two at 5:45, 8:30, 8:45, or 9pm on Saturday, and for four at 9pm on Saturday.

Book on Resy >>