THE ABSINTHE GROUP
The Absinthe Group (TAG), founded and managed by food-industry veteran Bill Russell-Shapiro, creates and operates unique, high-quality food and wine enterprises. TAG includes a carefully built collection of six businesses, four of which are located in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. They are overseen by TAG Vice President Eric Vreede, Director of Human Resources Liz Meza, Director of Bars and Development Jonny Raglin, and Beverage Director Phillip Acquafresca. These include Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, Akna, Arbor, and Arlequin Wine Merchant in Hayes Valley, Bellota in SoMa, and Comstock Saloon in North Beach.
ABSINTHE BRASSERIE & BAR
Absinthe Brasserie & Bar is in San Francisco’s vibrant and central Hayes Valley neighborhood, and is among the city’s beloved longest-running dining institutions. With lively décor that evokes turn-of-the-century France, Absinthe’s warm, convivial atmosphere has romanced locals and visitors alike since its founding in 1998.
Absinthe is open for full-service lunch, brunch, and dinner. There is heated, outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. Reservations can be made via phone, Absinthe’s website, or on OpenTable. Although reservations are recommended, Absinthe will be seating walk-ins.
HOURS
Wednesday to Friday
11:30 am to 9 pm
Saturday & Sunday
11 am to 9 pm
398 Hayes St @ Gough, San Francisco (map)
415-551-1590 | absinthe.com | @absinthesf
AKNA
Currently located in the former Barcino space at 399 Grove Street, Akna is a Yucatecan pop-up restaurant highlighting indigenous ingredients and traditional family recipes. Led by longtime TAG Chef Eddie Arriaga and his son, GM Ivan Arriaga, Akna—named for the Mayan goddess of motherhood—places an emphasis on family, Mother Earth, and nature’s freshest produce. Akna offers casual neighborhood dining that delivers authentic Mexican-Mayan cuisine, including ceviche, nopalito salad, quesabirria tacos, breakfast burritos, traditional entrees, and desserts. The Akna pop-up is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 pm to 9 pm for takeout, delivery, indoor and outdoor seating.
399 Grove St @ Gough, San Francisco (map)
415-430-6590 | aknasf.com | @akna.sf
ARBOR
Arbor is a neighborhood restaurant featuring a variety of fast, casual, and healthful dishes. With wines on tap, and bottles from neighboring Arlequin Wine Merchant, it offers convenient takeout and delivery options. Focused on local ingredients, the menu features an array of burgers and sandwiches, big-bowl salads, and plant-based soft-serve. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 am to 9 pm for takeout, delivery, and outdoor seating in the seat-yourself parklets on Hayes Street.
384B Hayes St @ Gough, San Francisco (map)
415-626-1211 | arborsf.com| @arbor_sf
ARLEQUIN WINE MERCHANT
Arlequin Wine Merchant is a specialty wine store featuring an extensive selection of premium wines from around the world. Whether you’re seeking a bargain for your burger from neighboring restaurant Arbor, or a special wine for a special meal or occasion, Arlequin is eager to help. Every wine is hand-selected, so you can be assured of receiving the finest quality and best value. Arlequin puts as much effort into finding great-value wines under $20 as they do acquiring the hottest hard-to-find, small-production California releases. The experienced staff offers customers an unsurpassed level of service, knowledge, and personal attention. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 am to 9 pm for pickup, limited local delivery, and outdoor seating in the seat-yourself parklets on Hayes Street.
384A Hayes St @ Gough, San Francisco 94102 (map)
415-863-1104 | arlequinwine.com| @arlequinwine
BELLOTA
Inspired by the regional cuisines and traditions of Spain, Bellota has an eclectic menu of meats grilled on a wood-fired hearth, inventive paellas, fresh seafood, medium-sized tapas, imported charcuterie and cheeses, as well as slow-roasted vegetable dishes. The Spanish-focused cocktail menu features Spain’s cocktail of choice, gintonic. The all-Spanish wine list emphasizes small producers and growers, and features sherry on tap. Bellota is located in a landmark industrial building on the National Register of Historic Places. With the addition of hand-crafted design elements, the 140-seat dining room captures the surrounding urban cityscape and channels an airy, Mediterranean setting. Open for indoor and outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery.
DINNER
Tuesday to Thursday
5 pm to 9 pm
Friday & Saturday
5 pm to 10 pm
888 Brannan St @ 8th, San Francisco 94108 (map)
415-430-6580 | bellotasf.com| @bellotasf
COMSTOCK SALOON
Comstock Saloon is located in a historic saloon space dating back to 1907, when it first opened as the Andromeda. The saloon, on the bustling corner of Pacific and Columbus Avenues, it is the last-standing bar of the Barbary Coast - once a playground for early gold-seekers. Comstock Saloon offers patrons refined turn-of-the-century saloon fare and a menu of classic cocktails. The setting preserves the saloon’s historic design elements and pays tribute to San Francisco’s Barbary Coast, between Jackson Square and today’s North Beach. Comstock is temporarily closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
155 Columbus Ave @ Pacific, San Francisco 94133 (map)
415-617-0071 | comstocksaloon.com | @comstocksaloon