Bay Area/ San Francisco/ Food & Drinks
Published on September 12, 2019
SF Eats: Dumpling Time opens second location, The Riddler reopens, Our Poke Place shutters, morePhoto: Adrienne H./Yelp

Here's the latest in SF restaurant and bar news. In this edition: A dumpling place replaces an udon spot in the Design District, a Hayes Valley champagne bar reopens after a seismic retrofit, a Mission poke eatery calls it quits and a Civic Center restaurant launches lunch.

Openings

Design District

Dumpling Time Express (55 Division St.)

Photo: Linh D./Yelp

Last month, fast-casual noodle eatery Udon Time closed at 55 Division St. It's now been replaced by a sequel to its sister restaurant Dumpling Time, whose original location is right down the street.

The rebranded Dumpling Time Express will offer sit-down dining and takeout, with options like pork soup dumplings, siu mai, gyoza or savory and sweet bao. Fans of Udon Time will also be able to order a limited selection of noodle options from the former menu. Beer, sake, and Japanese whisky continue to highlight the drink selection.

Chef Edgar Agbayani told Eater SF that he and his team are still holding onto the Udon Time brand for a future restaurant. “But at this time, we felt the Express concept would be a better fit for the space," he said.

Dumpling Time Express is now open from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-11 p.m. daily. The owners are also planning to open a third outpost inside the Chase Center, though there's no word on when that will arrive. 

Hayes Valley

The Riddler (528 Laguna St.)

Photo: Kassie Borrenson/The Riddler

Champagne bar The Riddler reopened this week after a temporary closure for a seismic retrofit. 

Visitors can expect an updated interior and menu, with new dishes like deviled eggs with caviar, melon & prosciutto with chili oil and a sweet lemon posset with raspberry meringue. Extended brunch offerings will now include Belgian waffles, grain bowls, yogurt parfaits and soft-poached eggs.

And for those who travel to New York, it's also worth noting that the Riddler will be expanding there this month, opening a location in the West Village.

Closures

Mission

Our Poke Place (524 Van Ness Ave.)

Photo: Allie Pape/Hoodline

Fans of the Mission's Our Poke Place will have to look elsewhere for their raw-fish fix. The fast-casual eatery shuttered over Labor Day weekend, after two and a half years in business.

"We will be closed permanently, due to new management," a sign in the window reads. "Thank you so much for your love and support."

We'll keep you posted on a future tenant for the space. 

Updates

Civic Center

August (1) Five (524 Van Ness Ave.)

Photo: Courtesy of August (1) Five

Next Wednesday, September 18, August (1) Five will launch a new lunch menu, featuring street-food-inspired Indian fare from chef Manish Tyagi.

The lunch selection will be more casual and affordable than the restaurant's dinner menu, with salads, wraps and bowls for $14-15, or a three-course "chef's special menu" with a small plate, main dish and dessert for $35. 

The restaurant hopes the new menu will draw Civic Center workers, as well as tourists and people doing business or attending weddings at City Hall. 

Lunch hours will be 11:30 a.m.– 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.


If you've seen something new (or closing) in the neighborhood, text your tips and photos to (415) 200-3233, or email [email protected]. If we use your info in a story, we'll give you credit.