A Culinary Renaissance

Since little Joe’s opened, many people make a regular trip to the southwestern end of West Portal; to get into Elena’s, you better be prepared for a long wait; La Ciccia’s previous owners will move into the Que Syrah winebar; and a fancy donut shop, George’s Donuts & Merriment, is slated to open this summer on West Portal. West Portal might just become the new hot place in town. If we could only have the movie theatre back, sigh.

Below is a roundup of new and renewed places in our hood. Your new favorite not here? Please post a recommendation on our facebook page.

Elena’s, 255 W Portal Ave.

Elena! Elena! A hotly anticipated restaurant on West Portal. The wait was over an hour but well worth it.  A second time, around 4 pm, we were seated immediately.  The ambience is stunning and magically transports you away from urban West Portal. What a refreshing environment. The lighting was nice and bright, but cozy. We were received well; servers were attentive and friendly.  The food was tasteful and yummy. The margaritas were excellent!  Everyone should have the guacamole to start. The ceviche tostada was to die for.  The  cheese enchiladas, shrimp burrito and carni-tas were all loved. And lastly, for dessert, we had the churros dip in warm chocolate…..heavenly! A great place to bring your family & friends. A fantastic addition to West Portal dining. Looking forward to going back. Some reservations are now on Open Table.

- Elizabeth Chearney

Binu Bonu, 230 West Portal Ave,

Their name means good wine in Sardo, the language of Sardinia, and boy is the West Portal neighborhood excited! Taking over the space at Que Sera, the husband & wife team Massimiliano (Massimo) Conti and Lorella Degan, who brought us the beloved La Ciccia restaurant in Noe Valley, plan to open a new wine bar in late April. They will feature 50 to 60 organic wine producers, favoring small-scale Italian winemakers, and will have a wine retail component as well. As there is no kitchen in the space, they will focus on wines that can be enjoyed without food, especially for those who are awaiting a table at a neighborhood restaurant, such as Elena’s across the street. Rest assured, snacks, such as cheese and charcuterie, will be available.  

Massimo & Lorella are often seen walking through Monterey Heights as they explore West of Twin Peaks coming from their nearby neighborhood. Their friendliness, warmth and talents are well known to many. West Portal is very lucky to have these two sharing their binu bonu vision with us, and we should welcome them with glasses in hand. Opening late April.

- Julie Hambleton 

  Yielding in the Dumpling Zone, 408 Dewey Blvd.

Chances are you zip right by the Dumpling Zone restaurant located at 408 Dewey Blvd, next to the Forest Hill station, without even noticing it. However, if you like freshly made Chinese dumplings and handmade noodles, you might hit the brakes.  Dumpling Zone is run by a family who has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years, both in San Francisco and Shandong, China and this is reflected in their menu that offers many northern style Chinese dishes.  I like their variety of steamed dumplings and dry or soup-based noodle dishes, along with a crispy pan fried onion pancake starter.  If you’re feeling adventurous, the sliced pig ear with spicy sauce (served cold) is pretty tasty too.

The shop was formerly a Chinese restaurant, hot pot and hamburger joint.  However, none of them drew the level of customers that Dumpling Zone does, and this bodes well for them staying a while.   In the year they’ve been open, they’ve established many loyal customers who live nearby and some that come from outside of the city. Beyond my own opinion, Dumpling Zone has 85 Google reviewers with an average 4.9 stars rating; not too shabby!

- Tom Lee. 

Apres-Vous (after you) 345 Taraval Street @ 14th Avenue

Elevate your perception of take-out food! While on a walk back from the ocean with a friend, we came upon the newly opened Aprez Vous shop – and it is lovely!  Aprez Vous is a carryout eatery and retail shop located on Taraval Street at 14th Avenue, in a space that previously housed the upholstery shop on the corner and Guerra’s take-out next door. The chef is a French-trained chef, baker & chocolatier whose menu focuses on fresh, locally sourced or quality imported ingredients.  Theirs is a rotating, seasonal menu of ready-to-serve items to enjoy either in-house or as take-away. You’ll also find beautiful cheeses, small-batch goods, and imported epicurean delights. Lastly, they cater and plan to regularly host pop-up events centered on seasonal foods and cooking (think, truffles).  Check this store out; it’s quite a treat! 

- Julie Hambleton. 

Sushi Sheng, 118 West Portal Ave

By sheer serendipity, on a cold, rainy evening, I stumbled upon this little place, nestled snugly in the heart of West Portal village. Sushi Sheng exudes an inviting charm that beckons both the curious passerby and the seasoned food enthusiast. With its unassuming façade and warm ambience (walls are adorned with faux cherry blossoms), one is greeted immediately with a sense of modernity with Japanese heritage. The menu is extensive. The moment I entered, I got a whiff of the gentle aroma of freshly prepared tempura.  Japanese flavors, prepared with meticulous attention to detail along with artistic presentation. From tofu as soft as a Geisha’s whisper to delicate sushi rolls and finely sourced seafood and meats, whatever I tried the multiple times I’ve been back, has showcased the restaurant’s commitment to sourcing fresh ingredients. The service is welcoming and quick. I highly encourage you to embark on this gastronomic journey the next time you are strolling West Portal…I think it’s safe to say ‘sayonara’ to mediocre Japanese food in our hood!

- Apsara Oswal

Ocean Ale house, 1314 Ocean Ave

They’ve expanded and now has a dedicated stage for live music resulting in an enhanced experience. As always, the 16 rotating taps deliver wonderful beer, and Miles, the owner, makes some of the best cocktails on the west side. The pub food, even by SF standards, is far above average, with excellent salads.  I am still craving the fried sauerkraut/corned beef rolls they once served. The live music varies from Rock, Jazz, Latin, Funk, R&B, Folk and even sometimes a flamenco show.  Wednesday’s are ‘bring your instrument’ days.  To know what’s playing, sign up for their newsletter. No reservations. Great for kids. Dancing encouraged.

- Marie-Cecile Van de Lavoir