(By Sarah Fritsche, SFGate) Wednesday, April 27, marks the grand opening of Hawaiian brunch pop-up ‘Aina’s new brick-and-mortar home in the Dogpatch neighborhood.
The creative team behind ‘Aina is La Folie alum Jordan Keao, who will oversee the kitchen, along with co-owner and fellow La Folie vet Jason Alonzo, who will serve as general manager and also be in charge of the bar program, and Keao’s wife, co-owner/CFO, Cheryl Liew.
The menu features plenty of Hawaiian-inspired offerings from Keao, including his popular sugar-coated malasadas stuffed with guava custard ($6), as well as Punalu’u Bakery taro French toast with applewood smoked bacon, macadamia nut crumble and coconut caramel($8/$16.50).
On the savory side, there’s kalbi loco moco with smoked honshimeji mushroom jus, sunnyside up eggs and hearts of palm pico de gallo ($18) and Kalua pork belly with slow poached eggs, rice, kimchi and asparagus ($17).
For day drinkers, the brunch-time cocktail list also has a tropical bent (and low ABV since the restaurant doesn’t have a full liquor license) with guava mimosas ($7 for a single or $24 for four people; also available with standard OJ), a lemongrass-infused soju bloody merry ($8) and a coconut milk punch ($6).
Check out the full menu here.
Hours are: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on weekends.
‘Aina, 900 22nd St. (at Minnesota Street), S.F. (415) 814-3815. ainasf.com
