In July, we reported that local company Good Food Guys would be opening up a third location of its fast-casual American restaurant Split Bread in the Russian Hill space once occupied by La Boulange de Polk.
The company has since rebranded the concept as just Split (its sister restaurant, Mixt Greens, has been similarly shortened to Mixt), and after months of planning, it's now open at 2300 Polk St.
The new moniker "'splits' the difference, bringing together the best aspects of fine-dining and quick service," said co-owner David Silverglide. “Today’s diners want high-quality food, delivered in an instant, in a casual setting.”
The result is "a modern take on your neighborhood joint, a place where you can grab a quick cup of good coffee and a breakfast sandwich on your way to work, sit down with your kids and enjoy a casual dinner, or catch up with a buddy over an IPA and bar bites," Silverglide said.
Customers order at the counter, but servers roam the room with tablets to take orders for additional drinks or dessert. Diners can also take their food to go, with a text messaging system that indicates when an order is ready for pickup.
Split's new menu features some favorites from the Split Bread era, such as the crispy chicken sandwich, Split burger, and Mandarin salad. But there are also some new additions, like chorizo hash with poached eggs, kale, and sweet potatoes; crispy brussels sprouts with sriracha-ranch dipping sauce; Mt. Lassen trout with roasted sunchokes and pickled fennel; and a butterscotch pot de crème with fresh whipped cream. To drink, there's Four Barrel coffee, beer and wine.
The Silverglides, a husband-and-wife team, and executive chef/co-founder Andrew Swallow, who is Leslie Silverglide's brother, all live in Russian Hill, and are aiming to serve the neighborhood they call home. "We are thrilled to open a restaurant in our own backyard,” Swallow said. “Our goal is for Split to become a beloved spot in the community.”
Split (2300 Polk St.) is open daily from 8am-9pm. The company has also rebranded its two other locations in SoMa, at 145 4th St. and 560 Mission St.