St. Vincent popped open yesterday at 24th and Valencia, but it was just the first of a wave of Mission openings happening over the next month or six weeks, many of which are moving into spaces that were previously record shops, auto-body shops, and other stuff. First off, on Thursday, we’ll see the opening of Flour + Water’s slightly more upscale spinoff Central Kitchen at 20th and Florida, with chef Thomas McNaughton overseeing things and chef de cuisine Michael Gaines (formerly a sous chef at Manresa) handling the day to day. Next up, it looks like the southwestern spinoff of Woodhouse Fish Co., West of Pecos, won’t be opening this weekend as planned — they say on Facebook today that it’s looking maybe like Monday. But that’s not all!
Later this month we should be seeing the openings of Amber Dhara (680 Valencia), the spinoff of Amber India, in a former retail space next door to Luna Park; and also Pig & Pie in the former Discolandia space at 2962 24th Street.
Then coming up we also have Craftsman & Wolves, William Werner’s upcoming, ambitious-looking patisserie/café at 746 Valencia, which should make it open by June. In the same former auto-body building, that will be joined by the upcoming Abbot’s Cellar, the beer hall from the Monk’s Kettle boys, which is going to be pretty huge and is due later this year.
Hopefully come June we should be seeing the debut of Salumeria, the European-style delicatessen attached to Central Kitchen, opening in what was once the cooler room of a long-defunct German sausage factory; and also Hi-Lo BBQ (3416 19th Street), the new bourbon-friendly hofbrau project from Maverick/Hog & Rocks owner Scott Youkilis, opening in a former warehouse across from Hog & Rocks. Also in June, we’re promised the rebirth of La Rondalla, on the prominent corner of 20th and Valencia.
And let’s not forget Trick Dog, the new cocktail bar from the Bon Vivants, opening just around the corner for Central Kitchen in the same new development; and also The Parlour, a bakery-café from Humphry Slocombe.
Then there’s Farina’s long-delayed, long-awaited pizzeria project at 18th and Valencia, which has been seeing some fresh construction activity in the ground floor of a new residential building. The name, and the ETA on that, remain up in the air.
Back on 24th Street, we’re awaiting an update on 20 Spot, which is taking over the former Force of Habit record shop space at 3565 20th Street. Look for that also in the coming months.
Addenda: We neglected to mention Preeti Mistri’s upcoming Juhu Beach Club at 2141 Mission Street between 17th and 18th, which remains embroiled in some planning delays. And also the new project from Adriano Paganini and the Beretta team that’s going into the former Medjool, scheduled for late summer.
And there’s the new Burma Superstar coming to Valencia and Duboce; and Chapel Restaurant and Preservation Hall West which may or may not make it open by year’s end.
So yes, much to look forward to, Missionites. And with all this conversion of retail and other space to restaurant use, the Mission shall be cemented, forevermore, as a food-lover’s little piece of heaven.
Earlier: West of Pecos Due Next Week, May 12
William Werner’s New Café Gets a Name: Craftsman and Wolves
Take a Peek Inside Central Kitchen and Salumeria, Opening This Winter
