#144 | A Warm-Weather Bucketlist
A rapid-fire list to kick off your spring
Greetings, I’m back. A brief interlude, but I’m present. Our beautiful summer issue is officially off to the printers—it hits newsstands June 1st at these stockists—and I’m floating in that nebulous purgatory between creativity and critical analysis. That said, I’m making a concerted effort to explore, do sporadic things, and let my camera do the talking.
So, without further ado, my discovery list as of late:
🦀 CEVICHE CRAVINGS—When the warmer weather hits, my cravings for the tangy freshness of ceviche hit critical mass. A stranger recently described them to someone who hasn’t tasted them before as ‘meat salads’ or ‘cold stews’. I prefer ‘tart, textural treasures of the sea’.
A new chef duo casting their net is Pacifico, a pop-up concept now finding a permanent home at B-Side at SF JAZZ (205 Franklin Street). Inspired to bring their hometown flavors of Colombia to a culturally significant space, husband-wife team Chef Daniel Morales Vallejo and Laura Gelvez are ready to change the tune of past mainstream menus and remix some lively representation. Their dinner service is still under the B-Side designation to avoid confusing long-standing SF Jazz customers (an unfortunate and hopefully temporary requirement for the residency), but time will tell when this La Cocina alumnus is ready for their solo.
DO
Get the classic halibut ceviche (no-brainer), and try their crab interpretation for fun
Grab their ‘noquis de cangrejo’, Chef Daniel’s take on gnocchi. Each gnocchi is made by hand using yuca (cassava root), which leaves an incredible texture that I couldn’t get enough of
Make sure you check out their new weekend brunch program starting June 7, where they promise they’ll go “full Colombian flavor” (read: they get the green light to push their own designed menu under the Pacifico name)
DON’T
Skip out on their chocolate cake—it’s a wet cake topped with Colombian coffee, with that not-too-sweet flavor that’s to die for
Make the same mistake I did trying to find them—they’re located at B-side. Pacifico’s signage is still being negotiated, so you may not see them from the street, but you’ll know you’re in the right spot when you’re discreetly handed their ‘secret menu’ upon being seated
Pacifico’s ‘ceviche de cangrejo’ with local dungeness crab, leche de tigre, cancha, aji criollo, and culantro
Another noteworthy ceviche spot: Dolores Waterfall, located at 100 Potero Avenue. An unassuming cevicheria, but I’d be omitting info if I didn’t say they served the dish that inspired me to write this in the first place. I complimented the owner after my first bite of their traditional mixto ceviche (it was that fresh), and he affirmed my declaration: they make batches of ceviche every two hours to ensure freshness.
DO
Order any ceviche on the menu, you honestly can’t go wrong
Your research on their micheladas menu—an eye’s delight to behold
Be patient, orders can take some time
DON’T
Come expecting a quiet atmosphere, the boombox and TV are blasting, enhanced by the neon signage and bright murals
Skip the Baja fish tacos—the battered crunch was spectacular
Their traditional ceviche mixto, image courtesy of the Dolores Waterfall Yelp page
🍩MAXIMUM MERRIMENT—Joy is a feeling many culinary venues promise, but George’s Donuts and Merriment in West Portal (163 West Portal) lives up to its namesake. It was impossible to deny the whimsical Willy Wonka-meets-art deco ambiance paired with their eye-catching baked desserts. From crullers to donuts to elevated cakes, you’d be hard pressed to leave without a smile on your face.
DO
Order their signature Donut Hole Flight—fried goodness, dusted with sugar, and served with Valrhona chocolate from France
Snag the crème brûlée cruller (made from a lighter, richer dough than regular donuts), it’s their best-selling item that sells out, so if it’s there, grab it
Save room for their simple lunch menu to balance out all that sweetness—I ordered their kale salad with salmon to mitigate the post-sugar crash
DON’T
Try to order too much at once—their European-style tables are tiny, so ask your server to pace your courses
Rush your visit—the lush ambiance is well worth it
Forget your pup—their outdoor emerald-colored parklet is the perfect place for dogs to people-watch and sunbathe
Skip the “merriment"; they have a bubbly list of wines and beer for that sophisticated day-drinking experience
A welcome bombardment of sweets galore at George’s Donuts & Merriment
🍱SUNSOAKED BENTO BOXES—I love a good bentobox. It’s picnic-ready. Balanced. Convenient. Visually appealing. And at Aedan Koji Kitchen (613 York Street), they up the bento box game by serving their fermented Michelin-quality goods in a multi-course lunch that’s consistently fresh. This adorable kitchen is tiny and mighty—they’re the main koji and miso providers for award-winning establishments such as Atelier Crenn, Lazy Bear, and more.
Each box includes a shio-koji marinated protein, rice, tamagoyaki, pickles, assorted vegetables, amazake (fermented rice dessert), and your choice of miso soup or a probiotic drink for only $20. Healthy gut and wallet approved.
DO
Beat the lunch rush and order ahead of time—their opening hours are 11:30 AM-2:30 PM, so get a leg up on the neighboring offices and phone in your takeaway
Check out their miso and koji cooking classes—they’re exceedingly popular
Take home some of their packaged koji, imported miso paste, and gut-healthy teas to create your own homemade bento box
DON’T
Leave hungry—you can upgrade your bento box to double the protein for an extra charge
Miss their weekly stand at the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market every Saturday
Skip an extra helping of veggies—they offer a salad bento packed with extra nutrients
A close-up of their wagyu meatballs (daily special) and salmon bento boxes
Before I sign off, one honorable mention worth checking out is Side A (2814 Mission Street). I discussed it here, and mark my words: this phenomenal listening room/restaurant will be the next big thing.
DO
Visit their daytime coffee and donut shop from 8 AM-1 PM
Go for the coffee soft-serve for dessert
Stay for their evening DJ takeovers—the sound system is the first of its kind in the US
DON’T
Be like me and show up without a reservation, unless you want bar seating
Miss their Spotify playlist—it’s the ultimate mood-setter, no matter the vibe
Share the bone marrow burger, you need to be selfish for this one
Interior shot of Side A before the crowd
PS Share this with a friend, compare notes, and tell me if my list hits the mark.
And now, I’m off to enjoy this beautiful weather. Countdown to our summer print issue, T-minus 12 days. I’m beside myself with excitement, and I’m open to inspiration of all kinds. Any tips on how I should celebrate this editorial milestone?
Counting the days,
—Melody
This is my current vibe.