06-05-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
A Bay Area sushi institution is reborn
April was a busy month for the Peninsula and South Bay dining scene. New spots dedicated to flaky Turkish pastries, Mexico City-style street tacos and fresh noodles arrived. Plus, a longtime, beloved sushi restaurant was resurrected.
Sushi institution lives on
The Bay Area lost one of its most cherished sushi restaurants last year, but Sushi Sam's Edomata has now been reborn as Sushi Edomata. After the retirement of namesake-chef Sam Sugiyama, who opened the San Mateo standby in 1988, it reopened in a new space nearby, under new ownership. The menu remains the same, with an array of classic but high-quality sushi, including sashimi, nigiri and rolls.
Mexico City-style taqueria arrives
A popular Bay Area hospitality group just added a Mexico City-style taqueria to its fleet of restaurants. Taqueria Parranga, from Buen Rallo Group (which operates Zazil at Santana Row and Il Parco and Colibri in San Francisco, among other food businesses), arrived at Santana Row in San Jose in April. Expect street tacos on handmade tortillas, from al pastor to barbacoa, plus breakfast tacos and burritos. It's the latest restaurant opening at the upscale South Bay mall, joining swanky newcomer Augustine.
A Levantine bakery brings flaky pastries
The owners of Redwood City's popular Mazra have gotten into the pastry game. They're behind Zorek, a new Levantine bakery and coffee shop in San Bruno that specializes in borek. The Turkish pastry is stuffed with fillings like spinach and feta, beef and herb or za'atar and cheese. Here, borek is also turned into sandwiches, from a beef-egg-cheese creation to a sweet combination of clotted cream and honey. To drink, Zorek pours espresso and specialty drinks, including a pistachio matcha.
Fresh seafood stars at new Peninsula restaurant
Clark's Oyster Bar, a popular Texas-born seafood restaurant, made its Northern California debut last month. Clark's newest outpost is now serving seafood classics in downtown Menlo Park, from an extensive raw bar to dishes inspired by Bay Area food institutions. Clark's has transformed the longtime home of diner Ann's Coffee Shop into a clean, warm space with a large bar, aquarium and outdoor patio.
780 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park.
Crepe cake specialist grows
Anton SV Pâtisserie, known for its delicate, 20-layer crepe cakes, opened a pastel-colored new bakery at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto. The cakes come in flavors like black sesame, tiramisu, pistachio and Hokkaido milk. The mall location is small with no seating; it also serves coffee and pastries. Owner Anthony Tam started the business by selling cakes for pickup or delivery and at local cafes, before opening his first storefront in San Mateo last fall.
Peninsula gets a new Filipino spot
Pamilya is now open in Redwood City, serving fast-casual Filipino food. The menu ranges from lumpia and grilled pork on skewers to beef tagalog and halo halo for dessert. On the weekends, look for lechon, crispy-skinned roasted pork belly.
756 Woodside Road, Redwood City.
Udon chain expands
Popular Japanese noodle chain Marugame Udon just added a new outpost in downtown Palo Alto. It serves the same menu of fresh udon noodles, available with broth or sauces and customizable toppings. This marks Marugame Udon's seventh Bay Area location, following others in the South Bay, East Bay and San Francisco.
383 University Ave., Palo Alto.
More udon on the Peninsula
A local udon chain is also on the move: Udon Mugizo has expanded to downtown San Mateo. The udon specialist, which is run by the owners of the popular Marufuku Ramen, is known for thick, chewy noodles served both hot and cold. Customers can watch employees make the fresh noodles in a glass room in the back of the restaurant. Udon Mugizo now has four locations, including in San Francisco, Mountain View and San Jose.
Mall lands Canadian chain
Buzzy Westfield Valley Fair's latest splashy restaurant opening is Joey, a chain based in Canada. The company's first Northern California location is a chic, two-story restaurant with dishes like truffle udon carbonara, katsu chicken salad and sirloin steak. Joey operates locations throughout Canada, California, Texas and Florida.
