Here's the latest in SF food, libation and coffee news. In this edition, an iconic dive bar reopens after a temporary closure, a Richmond District-based coffee shop expands to the Mission, and the Castro gets a new Mexican spot and rotisserie.
Openings
Mission
Zeitgeist (199 Valencia St.)
Zeitgeist, the Mission's iconic dive bar, reopened its doors on Monday after a three-week shutdown for a seismic retrofit.
Prior to the closure, Lara Burmeister, whose family owns Zeitgeist, said she'd hoped to find some artifacts in the walls of the space, which has been a bar since 1906.
Sure enough, crews found a bunch of unusual items, including several keys and old 7 Up artwork, which has been stored away for posterity.
Construction will continue at Zeitgeist for a few weeks. To minimize disturbances to customers, events manager Justin Taylor said the bar has installed some temporary interior walls to keep out dust and grime.
And while it has nothing to do with the retrofit, the staff took the closure as an opportunity to cover the back patio in a tent with heat lamps. Taylor says they plan to make it an annual occurrence during the winter months.
Rise & Grind (2598 Folsom St.)
Tipster Benny E. let us know that Richmond District coffee shop Rise & Grind is expanding to the Mission, taking over a long-vacant space at 2598 Folsom St. (and 22nd). The new location opens this Friday.
The original Rise & Grind opened at 785 8th Ave. in 2016. Owned by Vashelle To, Vananson Lam and Brian Tran, it serves coffee from Oakland roaster Mr. Espresso and pastries from the Sunset's Devil's Teeth Baking Company. Signature drinks include a crème brûlée latte and a tea latte.
Tran said he and his partners feel fortunate to be able to expand to the Mission. "The community has been so supportive, and it's the reason we are expanding," he said.
He's particularly excited about the coffee shop's new space, which features 15-foot ceilings and a mural painted by the landlord, who is an artist.
Castro
Bonita Taqueria Y Rotisserie (3600 16th St.)
Last month, Squat & Gobble closed its doors after 22 years of business in the Castro. Now, it's reopened as Bonita, under the same owners: father-and-son team Issa and JJ Sweidan.
Like the original Bonita in the Marina (2257 Chestnut St.), the new location will offer a mix of Mexican favorites like tacos, burritos, quesadillas and nachos, alongside Mary's rotisserie chicken. Lunch and dinner will be offered seven days a week, with beer, wine, micheladas and horchata among the drink offerings.
Squat & Gobble was particularly popular as a brunch spot, and the Sweidans plan to keep brunch going from Friday through Sunday, with the possibility of offering it daily if there's demand.
Thanks to tipster Benny E. 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.
