ediblesf.com | 13 A Bar Built on Bitterness (and Balance) BAR BRUCATO Bar Brucato might just be the most Mission thing to open in a while: inventive, rooted in place, and proudly bitter—in the best possible way. The team behind Brucato Amaro officially put down roots with their first brick-and-mortar: a distillery-meets-bar-meets-dinner spot designed for sipping, snacking, and staying awhile. The cocktail list is the star, featuring their trio of housemade amaros (Woodlands, Chaparral, Orchards), seasonal liqueurs, and thoughtful N/A options like the surprisingly complex Natural Bridges. But the food more than holds its own—walking the line between coastal Italian and California creative with dishes like spicy lamb meatballs, housemade bottarga spaghetti, and an octopus confit skewer glazed with chaparral tomato. And if you’re curious about what goes into those bottles? You can book a tour of their expanded distillery, complete with a welcome spritz, tasting flight, and a behind-the-scenes look at the Brucato process. Bitter may be their signature flavor, but at Bar Brucato, the experience is anything but. brucatoamaro.com A Pyramid Scheme We Can Get Behind CAFÉ SEBASTIAN/ MADLAB Tucked beneath the Transamerica Pyramid, Café Sebastian is an upscale daytime café from James Beardrecognized Chef Bradley Kilgore, serving craveable plates and house-baked pastries. Inside, you’ll also find MadLab Kakigori —a playful concept from his pastry-chef wife, Soraya CaraccioliKilgore —offering Japanese-style shave ice and house-made gelato. The pancakes are the showstopper—stacked with yuzu curd, sesame whipped cream, and macadamia brittle—but the menu holds its own with Japanese-inspired lunch plates, seasonal pastries, and a weekendonly curry butter smashburger that’s already making quiet waves among those in the know. The sleek, soft-edged space balances modern lines with warmth, featuring high ceilings, curved banquettes, and just enough light to make everything— and everyone—look good. It threads the needle between elegant and easygoing, and serves as a welcome reminder that even in a city full of brunch spots, there’s still room to be surprised. cafesebastiansf.com A New Finish for the Mission’s Drink Scene BIG FINISH For years, the Mission’s drink identity has leaned beer-first, tequila-second, and should we do a shot of Fernet? third. Big Finish is shifting the conversation — with a relaxed, wine-focused tavern that makes by-the-glass drinking feel fun, affordable (most pours are under $14), and refreshingly unfussy. It’s got the kind of easy energy that makes group hangs and solo sips equally appealing with over 50 wines by the glass (plus a few beers), a rotating mix of low- and no-ABV cocktails, and a comfortforward food menu — think pimento cheese with Ritz crackers and carrot miso risotto. It’s also one of the few places in the Mission serving real food until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, which is saying something in a neighborhood where your only late-night options usually involve a tortilla. Wines are organized by—yup, you guessed it—finish: crisp, medium, big, orangey, bubbly. It’s a setup that makes ordering intuitive, whether you’re chasing minerality or just want something new. And if you’re not sure? The staff is the good kind of helpful: informed, enthusiastic, and not even a little bit smug. bigfinishsf.com Photo—David Dines KAKIGORI Photo—Gamma Nine Photography
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