Alioto’s, the quintessential Fisherman’s Wharf seafood spot with a giant number 8 on its facade commemorating the fish stall that Sicilian immigrant Nunzio Alioto Sr. once ran nearby, is giving up the ghost after temporarily closing two years ago.

We all kind of knew that not all of tourist-centric Fisherman’s Wharf was likely to make it through a two-year pandemic. But now we learn that a big casualty is Alioto’s, the almost-100-year-old, stalwart restaurant at 8 Fisherman’s Wharf. The restaurant has been dark since March 2020.

The SF Business Times broke the news, after the restaurant’s landlord, the Port of San Francisco, revealed they had struck a deal to let Alioto’s out of its lease, which still had over 14 years on it. That was a 66-year lease that was signed back in 1970, by the way.

“The loss of Alioto’s — a renowned Fisherman’s Wharf icon — is heartbreaking for the Port and the generations of San Franciscans and tourists that have enjoyed the Alioto’s dining experience,” said Randy Quezada, the Port’s director of communications, in a statement. “Their contribution to the port and the city will not soon be forgotten.”

Alioto’s, sometimes called Alioto’s No. 8 because of the sign, life began as a fish stood in 1925, later moving to Stall #8 at the wharf and slowly growing into a full-fledged restaurant by 1938. Nunzio Alioto Sr., the proprietor, died in 1933, but the business was taken on by his children, including a daughter, Rose, who was instrumental in the restaurant’s expansion. A son-in-law of the elder Nunzio Alioto, Nunzio A. Alioto, married another daughter, Antoinette, and worked at Alioto’s Restaurant nearly until his death at age 88 in 2001. He was a “distant relation” of former SF Supervisor and mayoral candidate Angela Alioto, whose father Joseph was mayor of San Francisco in the 1960s.

As the Business Times notes, assuming that the lease termination agreement gets approved, this will avoid the messier fate of another longtime Wharf restaurant, Castagnola’s. The port south Castagnola’s in September after it ceased paying rent and did not seek any rent-relief program help either. Back in 2020, the port agreed to forgive rent for around 200 of its tenants, and was only requiring that restaurants pay a percentage of their monthly sales, as per existing agreements.

Thankfully, other Wharf stalwarts Scoma’s and The Franciscan are still hanging on and are back open.

Photo via Facebook

The post One in every of San Francisco’s Oldest Eating places, Alioto’s, Is Closing After a Century at Fisherman’s Wharf appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

This neighborhood is best known as a tourist magnet with fish and chips shops, pizza joints and seafood restaurants geared to handle big crowds. But that was before the game-changing Abacá arrived. Here’s a look at one of the city’s newest hot spots located in the stylish Kimpton Alton Hotel.

Abacá serves sophisticated Filipino fare at the new Alton Kimpton in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s … [+] Wharf neighborhood.

Abaca via Instagram

Meet chef Francis Ang

Food enthusiasts in San Francisco are well aware of this rising star who trained as a pastry chef and worked in fine dining kitchens (Gary Danko and the first while Fifth Floor) before launching Pinoy Heritage, a wildly successful pop-up in 2016. Abacá opened in August and was recently nominated for a James Beard Foundation award for best new restaurant.

Ang grew up in Manila and while he was influenced by the good cooks in his tight-knit family, it was the eye candy on the Food Network that first whetted his appetite for a career in the culinary arts.

“For somebody who wasn’t good at sports, singing or drawing, cooking was my way of being creative,” Ang said in a recent interview. “I remember watching those shows on the Food Network and thinking, I could do that.”

After graduating from City College of San Francisco’s culinary arts and hospitality studies program, Ang bounced back and forth between pastry and savory and that duel affinity shines brightly at Abacá.

Abacá’s weekend brunch includes a panaderia filled with brilliant Filipino pastry. The restaurant, … [+] located near San Francisco’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf, is owned and operated by chef Francis Ang and his wife, Dian. Joana Bautista is the pastry sous chef.

Leslie Kelly

The restaurant’s panaderia is open on weekends only at this point, but that’s likely to change as more savvy sweets lovers discover the unusual lineup of beautiful pastries and novel espresso drinks. Right now, the Bibingka Rice Cake with salted egg and bruléed triple cream cheese is a best seller, but I can’t stop thinking about the Buko Lychee Puff. Gorgeous to behold and so satisfying, especially if you’re a cream puff fan.

Before launching Abacá — a dream he and the restaurant’s GM Justin Goo have been discussing for a decade — Ang and his wife, Dian, traveled frequently to the Philippines to learn recipes and techniques in various regions of that island nation.

“I grew up there, but didn’t really know much about the traditional cuisine,” he said. “There are more than 7,000 islands in the Philippines, so many dialects. Recipes and ingredients may vary from town to town.”

He returned to the US determined to share those rich traditions while infusing the menu with a generous helping of fresh California flavors. That’s exactly why you’ll find the chef shopping the Ferry Building’s Saturday market, grabbing exceptional greens and root veggies from Heirloom Organic Gardens and crisp apples and sweet pears from K & J Orchards.

Abacá chef/owner Francis Ang is a regular at the Ferry Building’s farmers market on San Francisco’s … [+] waterfront.

Leslie Kelly

Deliciously different

Sit down for a meal at Abacá and the challenge begins as soon as you pick up the menu. Where to start? Everything looks so intriguing, from the BBQ sticks over to the rabbit (rice dishes) and pancit moving down to the small plates and mains. plan? Arrive hungry and order lots. Better yet, come with a group because these creations are meant to be shared.

The gracious service staff are deft at explaining the nuances of each dish without giving guests a hard sell. While everything sounded amazing, the banana heart salad with bay shrimp, pomelo, K & J’s Asian pear dressed in a smoked coconut vinaigrette and the Hodo Soy Organic Yuba Skin with adobo glaze sounded like a fitting place to start while contemplating the rest of the meal .

But first… a palate-blowing amuse: sturgeon skin given the Chicharrón treatment. Wow! What a wonderfully crunchy way to start the feast, the fried skin adorned by a seafood spread and fish roe.

MORE FROM FORBESDiscover These Next-Level Dumplings In San Francisco’s Design Districtby Leslie Kelly

At Abacá in San Francisco, chef Francis Ang’s brilliant amuse bouche is a clever twist on the … [+] Chicharrón, with sturgeon skin standing in for the classic pork rind.

Leslie Kelly

A compelling journey, start to finish

Most Americans familiar with Filipino food know about lumpia, but the veggie version served at Abacá is dramatically different than the traditional pork stuffed spring rolls. Ang explained that the Ngohiong Lumpia was inspired by the Cebu province, where cooks batter those rolls before frying. “Aaron (Escalada, sous chef) brought some brightness to the dish with a fermented pineapple sauce,” Ang said. Beautifully plated, absolutely delicious.

Abacá’s vegetable lumpia was inspired by cooks in the Cebu province of the Philippines, where cooks … [+] batter their rolls before frying. The fermented pineapple sauce adds a welcome bright note to the dish.

Leslie Kelly

The banana heart salad was revelatory to my jaded palace. So many flavors and textures I’ve never experienced. The signature component of this dish is a bit like hearts of palm, though its more aggressive flavor profile is ably tamed by an overnight quick pickling process. That smoked coconut vinaigrette delivered a lot of personality to this flavorful bowl that was impossible not to finish.

Same goes for the pork steamed bun finished with more of that tasty pineapple kimchi. Simple ingredients coming together to deliver those contrasting sweet and savory and a little bit sour qualities that are so crave-able.

Onto the main attraction

As much as I relished every single bite of the crispy octopus with velvety ube, savory grapes and a patis-mansi slaw along with the ultra-rich beef cheek Kulma —that wonder haunting peanut curry accompanied by fried flatbread — I couldn’t helping “ what if?” That second-guessing game where you suppose how it would have been if you’d instead gone for the smoked scallop tamales or the twice-fried whole petrale sole. Definitely going in that direction next time and I cannot wait to return to this very special place.

Still, there was Matamis — desert — to consider before pushing back from the table after an exceptional meal in a pretty dining room that was filled with the kind of festive vibe I haven’t seen since pre-pandemic days. Proof of vaccination required before entering, BTW.

In San Francisco, Abacá’s executive chef and owner, Francis Ang, has a deep background in pastry and … [+] it shows on the restaurant’s exceptional dessert menu. Don’t miss the chocolate mousse bomb.

Leslie Kelly

The big finish

There are just a few options for that final course, each seem designed to diners who appreciate something fruit-focused — the tamarind glazed-Apple Carioca Fritter paired with coconut ice cream — those who love flan — this version embellished with a lemony squash called Kalabasa , Daladan ice, pepitas and a Muscovado crumble and, of course, there’s something chocolate.

The magnificent mousse bombe sits atop a bit of banana cake, the creation wearing a caramelized Pinipig crown. Those were by far the best rice crispies I’ve ever eaten. Bonus treat, the menu didn’t mention the scoop of ice cream that seemed almost like overkill on this decadent desert. But, wait. Oh, you’ve got to try a bite, I urged my sweets skeptical dining partner. It tastes exactly like banana bread. Incredible.

If you’re fortunate enough to be staying at the Alton, the commute home is a breeze, and we spent the rest of the night spinning vinyl on the comfy room’s Victrola, dancing to Jimi Hendrix classics. It was the perfect way to end a memorable evening.

MORE FROM FORBESNew MOFAD Exhibition Shines Beautiful Light On History Of African American Foodby Leslie Kelly

The post There’s One thing Particular Going On Close to San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

On Thursday morning, a coyote pup went for a tourist walk on Pier 39. No one can say for sure what she was doing there, though we bet she stopped by for a clam soup bread bowl. But the creature’s morning walk ended unceremoniously after it fell into the bay, as first reported by ABC7.

Well, the coyote actually jumped into the water – but it seems like it didn’t think it through. Most likely she was just trying to escape the SF animal care and control officer.

A coyote pup was rescued from San Francisco Bay near Pier 39 on Thursday morning.

Animal Care & Control San Francisco

“We previously had a phone call about a coyote in the garden from someone who didn’t find out, and we’re pretty sure it’s the same coyote,” said Amy Corso, captain of SF Animal Care and Control. “Our officer had to come out to get her out. An hour later we get a call that she is now at Pier 39 … At one point her head got stuck between the levels of the dock. When our officer approached she was so … afraid of her that instead of being caught by her or running somewhere, she fell into the bay. “

The unfortunate bitch did her best to tread water, but she wouldn’t last long out there. Fortunately, a boat quickly came to her rescue: a Blue & Gold Fleet with Animal Control Officer Stephanie Pone on board. When Pone picked up the little coyote in a net, a crowd of spectators cheered (see video of the rescue here).

A coyote pup was rescued from San Francisco Bay near Pier 39 on Thursday morning.

Animal Care & Control San Francisco

After that, the coyote was taken back to the shelter, where it was treated by vets for hypothermia – which basically means it was wrapped in a blanket with warm air pumped into it. Once warmed up and comfortable, the puppy was released back into the wild.

Coyote rescues in San Francisco don’t happen every day, but Corso said they have become more common in recent years.

“Our officers do amazing rescues every day,” she said. “… I don’t mean to say that fishing a coyote out of the bay is pretty normal, but these types of rescues are generally what our officers do every day.”

The post Coyote pup rescued after leaping in San Francisco Bay close to Fisherman’s Wharf appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – The San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency reopened all Muni Metro subway stations and on Saturday, for the first time since its closure during COVID, the historic F-Line trams along Market Street and the Embarcadero drove to Fisherman’s Wharf. 19 pandemic.

With San Francisco now in the yellow category and soon all business restrictions by the state will be lifted in mid-June, daily commutes are increasing as workers return to offices with the resurgence of tourist travel.

CONTINUE READING: The San Francisco homeless camp is due to be removed on Monday. Proponents say residents have the right to stay

Transportation officials said drivers are still required to wear masks inside stations and on board trains. The transit agency also announced that the subway tunnels have been modernized and have a working WiFi service.

“To move San Francisco forward, we must do everything we can to get Muni back to full functionality,” said San Francisco Mayor London Breed in a statement. “As we reopen more shops and activities, it is important that our transit service can accommodate more passengers and help people get around our city.”

The agency also listened to feedback and decided to create a new temporary bus route – the 36/52 Special. This bus route will serve the hill districts of Forest Hill, Miraloma and Sunnyside on a loop between Forest Hill Station and Glen Park Station.

The N Judah subway service will resume its full route between Ocean Beach and 4th and King Streets (Caltrain). The T Third will be extended to the West Portal and then continued as K Ingleside to Balboa Park Station.

The SFMTA made all changes to the service available on its website.

“Without public transportation, there is no economic recovery,” said Jeffrey Tumlin, SFMTA transportation director. “Our people are committed to keeping San Francisco moving and working tirelessly to bring Muni service back better than ever.”

CONTINUE READING: Bay Area restaurant owners and operators face taxes and labor practices

Here is an overview of the restored service:

F Market & Quays
The historic tram will be back in service between 17th and Castro Streets and between Jones and Beach
Streets. Opening hours:

• From Castro: approx. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (first trip from
  Castro station is 10:50 am)
• From Fisherman’s Wharf: approximately 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Use the L-Bus or L-Owl for local service along Market Street during the hours that the F.
  Not running.

K Ingleside / T third
The K Ingleside and T Third will mesh and stretch as KT Ingleside Third
Service between Balboa Park and Sunnydale. This route will use the newly opened Muni Metro
Metro serving all stations between West Portal and Embarcadero. Opening hours:

• Weekdays: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Weekends: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Muni Metro buses run between the hours of owl service (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) and rail transport
  is offered on weekdays from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
  on weekends until 10 p.m.
• The K-Bus runs from 9 p.m. to between Balboa Park and West Portal Station
  Daily at 10 p.m.
• At the weekend for the hours between owl service (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) and the train
  The K Ingleside bus runs between Balboa Park and Embarcadero-Ferry Plaza from 5am to 8am, and the T Third bus runs between Embarcadero-Ferry Plaza and Sunnydale.

N Judah
Rail traffic will resume for the entire route, with two-car trains replacing the underground buses. driver
will have more space and fewer overtaking maneuvers as the two-car train increases the capacity of the N Judah. Opening hours:

• Weekdays: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Weekends: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Muni Metro buses will cover the hours between Owl Service and Rail Service, which run 5
  Weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. and from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. and from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 9 p.m. to 10 a.m.
  weekend afternoons.

K bus, L bus and L owl

• These lines will no longer serve Forest Hill Station directly. Please visit K Bus, L.
  For more information, see the route pages for buses and L-owls.

36/52 special

MORE NEWS: Fire on cargo ship off Monterey; Crews to see if the ship can be towed to Oakland

• Temporary new combined route between Forest Hill Station and Glen Park Station
  serving the communities of Glen Park, Sunnyside and Miraloma. The route will serve
  Laguna Honda Hospital.

8 Bayshore

• The current 8AX Bayshore “A” express service becomes the 8 Bayshore Short
  between City College and Kearny in the Pacific. The service for this route ends at
  7:30 p.m. daily.
• The 8 Bayshore Long will continue to operate between City College and Fisherman’s
  Quay.
• The 8 Bayshore will return to its pre-pandemic route and head north on Kearny.
  instead of Stockton.

The post San Francisco Transit Officers Reopen Muni Metro Stations; Restore F-Line Trolley Service To Fisherman’s Wharf – CBS San Francisco appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.