Parker and Caroline Brown are set to launch a new dining experience in the Mission District with their restaurant, Side A, on May 1.
This innovative space will serve exceptional coffee and house-made doughnuts, satisfying the growing demand for high-quality morning fare in the area.
Parker, who has honed his culinary skills in acclaimed San Francisco restaurants, including Michelin-starred Aphotic, is confident in the quality of the food, while Caroline is equally enthusiastic about the restaurant’s unique audio experience.
However, the Browns knew that the success of their restaurant hinged on providing outstanding coffee.
To achieve this, they partnered with Bryan Overstreet of the Coffee Movement, a respected name in the coffee industry known for its dedication to high standards.
During weekday mornings, Coffee Movement will serve some of the finest coffee and doughnuts San Francisco has ever seen, with flavors including chocolate, lemon, and a rotating seasonal option.
The Side A team will prepare fresh doughnuts each morning using cast iron skillets, allowing them to fry six doughnuts at a time.
Overstreet will lead a team of top-notch baristas, ensuring that every coffee served matches their commitment to craft.
One standout offering will be the soft serve ice cream made with Coffee Movement coffee, emphasizing the quality and creativity at play.
Overstreet expressed excitement about the collaboration, calling it a rare opportunity.
“This space is going to hit the mark,” he stated, highlighting the shared values between the two teams, despite never having collaborated in such a manner before.
As night falls, Side A will transform into a dining hotspot featuring upscale dishes including Parisian gnocchi paired with short rib, giardiniera, and a bone marrow burger topped with red onion jam.
To complement the food, Paul Chung of La Ciccia has crafted an impressive beverage program, ensuring a well-rounded experience for diners.
In the mornings, patrons can look forward to Coffee Movement’s signature drinks, such as piccolos, lattes, espresso tonics, and seasonal specialties.
The coffee menu will debut with a house blend and a light roast single origin, featuring the popular It Girl roaster Dak in its initial selection.
According to Overstreet, the soft serve made with their house blend is exceptional, bringing out delightful malt and cherry notes that enhance the creamy treat.
Furthermore, they are exploring opportunities for an affogato that could further elevate their dessert offerings.
The partnership between the Browns and Overstreet emerged serendipitously when Parker reached out to a mutual friend seeking coffee professionals for his new venture.
Recognizing Overstreet’s admiration for Japanese coffee culture and craft, the friend facilitated a meeting that would ultimately lead to this promising collaboration.
Just six weeks before the grand opening, Overstreet visited the space and immediately felt a connection.
The Browns emphasized that the three weeks spent perfecting doughnut recipes ensured that they matched the high standard of Overstreet’s coffee.
This rigorous approach reflects their dedication to creating an outstanding culinary experience, which is evident in the involvement of Benny Gold for branding and the expertise of Will Sperry from Good Question Sound for the audio setup.
Studio AHEAD and 280 West contributed to the overall design, creating a space that stands out in the vibrant Mission District.
As the mornings unfold at Side A, guests can expect to enjoy freshly prepared doughnuts accompanied by curated vinyl playlists, an experience that joins the growing trend of coffee shops featuring DJ sets.
Caroline noted that Side A will never feature a pre-set playlist, emphasizing the unique nature of their musical offerings.
To prepare for this innovative approach, the team aims to get everyone trained in vinyl handling ahead of the launch.
While partnerships like this may be rare for the Coffee Movement, Overstreet envisions an expansive future for his brand.
“We’re very selective,” he remarked, calling this collaboration a magic moment in time.
As Side A prepares for its opening, both sides are excited for what lies ahead, cementing the establishment as a must-visit destination in the Mission District.
image source from：https://sf.eater.com/2025/4/25/24416765/san-francisco-coffee-movement-side-a-opening-mission
