Good Taste offers a menu for eating well in the Bay Area. This week, I’m sharing some promising summer debuts worth your excitement!
Reem’s
The grand opening for the Oakland return of Reem’s happened last Friday, and I’m sure The Town is going to embrace the new Jack London Square flagship after five years away! Reem’s is now a worker-owned business as well, with three women owners. Oaklandside reports that customers will see this reflected in the traditionally Arab menu, with influences from their roots in Mexico and El Salvador. 88 Webster Street, Oakland. www.reemscalifornia.com
Omakase World Market
SF’s Omakase Restaurant Group (Dumpling Time, Niku Steakhouse, and more) just opened its first food hall on the Gateway of Pacific campus in South San Francisco. OWM includes a first foray into pizza, which could be intriguing. 800 Gateway Boulevard, South San Francisco. www.omakaseworldmarket.com
Oklava Cafe
As a big fan of the atmosphere as well as the savory and sweet offerings at Turquaz, the Turkish bakery and cafe in SoMa, I’m particularly excited that owners Aziz Aslan and Elif Uzun are bringing their all-day Mediterranean concept from Palo Alto to SF’s Saluhall on July 7. Oklava Cafe will bring some fresh and needed energy into the serene Mid-Market food hall, which is also welcoming the science-y new Spirited at Saluhall bar. 945 Market Street, San Francisco. www.oklavacafe.com
Rize Up Bakery
What a joy it’s been to watch Azikiwee Anderson grow his super creative sourdough business from pandemic backyard baking to a full production facility! Rize Up will become a new cafe with the addition of coffee, sandwiches, and sweets on his birthday, July 7.
1160 Howard Street, San Francisco. www.rizeupsourdough.com
The Mess Hall at The Presidio
I’ve been putting the Presidio’s forthcoming food hall on my anticipated lists for a minute — it’s been in the works for a couple of years. The website currently projects a “Summer 2026” opening, with no specific date announced as of this writing. 201 Halleck Street, San Francisco. www.messhallpresidio.com
Ferry Building newcomers
Ferry Plaza Cheese Shop, Bon Déliré and Barcha restaurateur Kais Bouzidi’s latest probable hotspot Hayati, and A16’s new restaurant Lucania are all expected to open up inside the Ferry Building this season, making it even more of a minefield of delicious dishes. Good Taste will stay on the case for these and other summer debuts in the Bay Area! 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco. www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
