Stylish Spinoff

Octavia is award-winning chef Melissa Perello’s latest endeavor, perched on the chic Pacific Heights street of the same name. Just over a month old, Octavia is the brand new sister to Frances, Perello’s tiny, almost cult-like Castro neighborhood hot spot, and Michelin-starred San Francisco restaurant that is known for its upscale, locally driven cuisine focusing on beautifully defined flavors. Now, the chef applies her tried-and-true formula to Octavia which features refined, yet rustic California fare, including squid-ink noodles, Alaskan halibut with preserved meyer lemons and house-cured yogurt.

The quaint building itself dates back to the 19th century and the charming 55-seat dining room is adorned with a brand new kitchen, floral art sculptures, and natural light, along with a thoughtful wine list. It’s situated in the space that formerly housed other standout SF foodie faves, Meetinghouse, Quince – before it moved downtown- and most recently, Baker & Banker, which closed. Octavia’s menu highlights Northern California’s bounty with international inspiration akin to the cooking at Frances, but there will be no overlap with that menu. However, count on the food to be of a similar style, with Perello’s signature seasonality, approachability, and fine dining touches. www.octavia-sf.com