San Francisco's eatery scene has a new addition in the form of Foliage, a restaurant that opened on October 4, in the spot formerly occupied by Michelin-starred Marlena. Foliage offers a four-course tasting menu for $75, with owners and couple Stephane Roulland and Julia Indovina employing chef Mo Bejar, who brings French bouillon-style dining to their menu.
In Paris, where these French bouillon establishments began, they're revered for their simple, fluctuating menus and affordable dining options. Roulland expressed that San Francisco hadn't yet experienced this type of dining.
Foliage is dedicated to sustainability, with Chef Bejar, raised on a ranch in Salinas, sourcing ingredients locally from partners like Dirty Girl Farms, according to Eater SF. He plans to incorporate his knowledge of Northern California's varied microclimates into Foliage's evolving weekly menu, while Roulland and Indovina aim to grow microgreens in an eco-friendly rooftop garden.
The focus on sustainability extends into their profits which a portion will go to a foundation that supports environmental projects like oil regeneration and reforestation. Thus, while dining at Foliage, customers can participate indirectly in these initiatives, fostering a real sense of engagement.
The inaugural menu quickly changed, and boasted dishes like four-day dry-aged amberjack paired with black turnips, persimmons, and horseradish cream, plus ricotta gnocchi with foraged mushrooms. Entree options include petrale sole with Manila clams and chrysanthemum greens or a Flannery ribeye with charred eggplant and onion tatin. Autumn-themed desserts are also offered.
Foliage's drink list includes a selection of beers and ciders, and around 15 wines both local and Old World. Some featured options are Jolie-Laide's Trousseau Gris from Sebastapol, Hammerling Wines' sparkling Sunset Debris, and Domaine Brun Avril Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Launching Foliage is a new start for its team and the restaurant space at 300 Precita Avenue, once home to Marlena which closed unexpectedly in July after challenges amongst its owners. The owner of both the business and the space was Roulland.
While Foliage begins its gastronomic journey, former Marlena chefs are brewing their own venture with San Francisco-based Hi Neighbor Hospitality. Their restaurant, 7 Adams, will open in the following weeks. They also recently launched an ice cream company, Jack & Remi, with online orders available, as reported by Eater SF.
Open for dinner between 5 to 9 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday, reservations can be placed through Resy or by ringing 415-400-5997.
