Cassava, the neighborhood restaurant that has had many brunchers flocking to Outer Richmond on the weekends, is about to move its operations to North Beach. The former Trattoria Pinocchio space at 401 Columbus Ave. has been under construction these past several months for its new tenants.
Owners Yuka Ioroi and Kris Toliao expect the North Beach location to be ready in October. They will initially open for dinner, where they will be serving their popular three-course pix fixe menu. There will be some appetizer a la carte options on offer at the bar and outdoor seating area.
Since opening in 2012, Cassava has had many locals making the voyage out to the western edge of the city for an impressive meal at any hour of the day. From its Japanese Breakfast composed of small bowls of rice, miso soup and side dishes, to a prix-fixe dinner that showcases the best of what the restaurant has to offer, many locals think the voyage out to the city’s western edge is well worth it for Cassava.
To boot, the restaurant is a proponent for paying their staff livable wages and healthcare benefits; the health and safety of their customers; and working with suppliers who don’t exploit others for labor. Cassava’s talent for working with what they got in the kitchen was clearly enough to allow the restaurant to make a name for itself, but it’s even greater to see that Ioroi and Toliao are the type of business owners to prioritize their community’s livelihood.
Until they open in North Beach, they will be serving Toliao’s inspired Californian menus at their original Balboa Street restaurant through the third week of September. Make a reservation to enjoy Cassava at the spot that started it all while you still can.
For more information, visit www.cassavasf.com.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with new details regarding the opening.
