A new Mediterranean restaurant, SF Grill, is poised to open later this month at the bustling intersection of 19th and Valencia streets in San Francisco, taking over a location that has been home to Mediterranean cuisine for over four decades.
The corner site, previously occupied by Yasmin until its closure last year, has a long history as a culinary destination, with Ali Baba’s Cave serving the community for 36 years before its closing in 2019.
Co-owner Diaa Askandafi, who grew up in Syria to a Lebanese mother and a Syrian father, is passionate about bringing authentic Mediterranean flavors to the Mission District.
He emphasizes that the dishes at SF Grill will reflect the meals he cherished in his childhood.
“If you go to Lebanon in the future and you taste the food there, it will be the same exact thing [as in the restaurant],” Askandafi remarked, highlighting his commitment to authenticity.
The restaurant’s menu is set to feature a variety of Mediterranean delights, including shawarmas, kebabs in wraps or plates, grilled salmon, Mediterranean salads, gyros, hummus, and baba ghanouj.
In addition to these traditional offerings, there will also be American options such as burgers and cheesesteaks.
Askandafi stresses that the use of fresh and high-quality ingredients will be a top priority, with a focus on homemade spices sourced directly from regional farmers in his homeland.
The venture is a partnership between Askandafi and Mohamed Ismail, both experienced chefs with a combined 25 years in the culinary business.
The duo has also been operating Ted’s Market in SoMa for the past three years, which has a rich history of more than 50 years as a market serving sandwiches and groceries.
However, as demand for a broader menu grew, Askandafi and Ismail felt limited by the size of their corner store and decided to embark on this new venture on Valencia Street.
“Valencia has always been a place to go, have fun, enjoy your time, and eat authentic, delicious food,” Askandafi stated.
With ongoing efforts to revitalize the corridor and attract crowds, they viewed it as an opportune moment to establish SF Grill.
Despite their optimism, the business partners are acutely aware of the financial uncertainties inherent in the restaurant industry.
Askandafi expressed concern about the rising costs he has faced at Ted’s Market and the challenges of passing these expenses onto customers.
“I’m terrified of what’s going to happen, but in owning a business, you have to take a risk, try and see what’s going to happen,” he noted, explaining that he used credit cards, a loan, and his savings to fund the new establishment.
His hope is to captivate the Mission District community with authentic Arabic seasonings and flavors.
“We rely on our customers’ support, so if they really want to taste the authentic Syrian and Lebanese food, we’re the place to go,” he said, underscoring the significance of community connections.
Hence, the choice of the name SF Grill resonates with Askandafi’s vision of reflecting the immigrant spirit in the city.
The restaurant is anticipated to open its doors on August 15 at 799 Valencia St. at 19th.
image source from：missionlocal
