SF Eats: 'After Hours' Opens In Outer Sunset, 'Salpicon' Pop-Up Mexican, MoreLemon pepper wings at After Hours. | Photo: Jenny K./Yelp
Nathan Falstreau
Published on February 12, 2018

With help from our network of tipsters, we bring you word of an Outer Sunset pub with a Cajun twist, signs of life inside several closed Chinatown spots, and more culinary happenings from around the city. 

Openings

After Hours. | Photo: Matt J./Yelp

Outer Sunset: After Hours (3044 Taraval St.)

Hoodline tipster Matty J. reports that a new pub has debuted in the Outer Sunset; After Hours is now pouring inside the former Hong's Szechuan space. 

For brews, look for a rotating selection of a dozen on tap such as Lagunitas, Speakeasy, Magnolia, and 805. 

The kitchen serves a variety of light bar bites like chicken wings, onion rings and fries, along with fried mushrooms and jalapeño poppers.

Cajun-style fare will soon join the lineup as well, so expect to see dishes like crawfish, Dungeness crab, clams, corn on the cob, and more. 

Updates

The Old Siam Restaurant. | Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline

Tenderloin: The Old Siam Thai Restaurant (201 Ellis St.)

The Old Siam Thai Restaurant in the Tenderloin is temporarily closed for remodeling, said Al M. 

"A peek inside revealed floor tiles being worked on," he said, and the windows are covered with paper.

The current work is just the first step in what could be a year-long process, according to someone on the scene. "They'll gradually put new touches into play throughout the year," said Al.

Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline

Chinatown: Z & Y Bistro Wine & Bar Restaurant (606 Jackson St.)

Over in Chinatown, we reported last month that Chung King Restaurant quietly closed its doors. When tipster Al spoke with a construction crew, they told him to come back in a month to check the progress. 

Now, he reports that the folks behind Z & Y Restaurant at 655 Jackson St.—the same Chinatown spot that President Obama stopped for an impromptu take-out order when visiting the city in 2015—are taking over the space.

The new eatery, Al said, will be called Z & Y Bistro Wine Bar Restaurant and is expected to debut later this month. 

Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline

Chinatown: Broadway Dim Sum Cafe (684 Broadway)

Also in Chinatown, we reported that Broadway Dim Sum Cafe closed in January, but Al reported that there was some construction movement happening inside. 

Now, he reports that the café has reopened under the same name and number, however, it's not clear yet if the spot is under the same ownership. He explained that the interior has been completely renovated with new furniture and "bright lights throughout the place." 

On the menu, expect to see similar fare as before with popular eats like sesame lotus balls, har gow, siu mai, jook porride, and rice plates.

Al added that pastries and cakes along with traditional desserts like water chestnut jelly and goji berry cake slices will be joining the lineup soon. "Boba and freshly squeezed juice may also make its way to the menu," he said. 

Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline

Chinatown: Tea Bear Cafe (57 Walter U Lum Place)

A new spot in Chinatown directly across from Portsmouth Square called Tea Bear Cafe has opened in the former iCafe space. 

The interior has been completely renovated from its former look with new wood paneling. Al said the café specializes in loose teas and boba milk tea drinks, but when he stopped by to take a peek, it was closed. We'll update with menu items and what to expect when we learn more. 

Salpicon. | Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline

SoMa: Salpicon (167 11th St.)

Over at the former Family Garden restaurant space in SoMa, which closed in 2015, a pop-up eatery is taking over for the rest of this month. 

The temporary restaurant, Salpicon, is the first venture from long-time San Francisco chef Francisco Tamayo Cazares, and specializes in Mexican fare with American influences inspired by his Grandmother's recipes. 

On the menu, expect to see roasted pork shoulder tacos with hickory bacon and smoked onions, roasted corn and cauliflower tostadita with cherry tomato pico de gallo, and a garlic-roasted chicken torta with melted jack cheese and cilantro aioli. (You can check out the full menu here.)

Casbah Cafe. | Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline

Tenderloin: Casbah Cafe (295 Eddy St.)

Moving over to the TL, Al M. reports that Casbah Cafe is also undergoing renovations. 

Al said that the owners worked out a deal with the landlord to remodel the space to their liking, so customers should expect more authentic Yemeni and Middle Eastern decor. 

It appears the newly updated space will be ready to open again in a few weeks, Al added. 

Notice of violation. | Photo: Jason R./Hoodline Tipline

West Portal: Easy Breezy (44 West Portal Ave.)

Hoodline tipster Jason R. reports that the forthcoming Easy Breezy froyo spot, which is replacing the former Quickly, may be delayed due to construction work without proper permits. The dessert spot has two other San Francisco locations in Noe Valley and the Inner Sunset. 

The note posted by San Francisco building inspectors indicate that in addition to a building permit and plans for new tenant improvement work, electrical and plumbing permits will also need to be obtained. 

Tipster Jason R. also noted that once things get sorted out and the new spot debuts, "There may be some fun conversations about the name since directly across the street is a grocery named Eezy Freezy." 

Closures

Inner Sunset: Lavash (511 Irving St.)

Persian eatery Lavash Restaurant has closed its doors, reports tipster Joanne P.

After a fire damaged the business late last month, owners posted a note in the window of the business thanking customers for their past support. 

While the restaurant's Yelp page says the spot will reopen on March 7th, and its windows and doors are covered, Joanne said someone painting inside told her that an Asian eatery will take over the space.

Photo: Alisa Scerrato/Hoodline

Marina: Matrix (3138 Fillmore St.)

Lastly, the PlumpJack Group's Marina nightclub Matrix has closed, according to SF Eater

While the space will be retained by the restaurant group, "PlumpJack is in the midst of a pending office renovation above the space and wasn’t sure what the impact would be to the building,” a representative said.

The space may still hold private events for the time being, but ultimately, it may reopen as something else. 

The nightclub has a storied past and was formerly known as “The Matrix,” which first opened in 1965 by Jefferson Airplane's Marty Balin. It was later purchased in 2001 by PlumpJack, founded by Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom before he became mayor.

If we missed an opening or closing in your neighborhood, email [email protected] or send a text to 415-200-3233 and we'll give you credit for the tip.