From shops and showrooms that spark creative inspiration to dining hotspots and luxe lodgings, these new design-forward destinations are not to be missed.
Restaurants
Alisios
Menlo Park
Named for the trade winds that brought the flavors of Mexico across oceans, around the world and back home, modern Mexican restaurant Alisios is the newest dining addition to Menlo Park’s Springline development. The dishes from chefs Carlos Villegas, Rene Gomez, Juan Arriaga and Andy Lappier are rooted in Mexico but infused with flavors from around the globe: Think moles spiked with Southeast Asian spices and ceviche accented with Mediterranean citrus.
The interiors, the work of Berkeley-based Studio KDA, also celebrate the restaurant’s deep cultural identity. Dark-stained wood beams, terracotta tile, arched steel-framed windows, and custom wrought-iron wall sconces and chandeliers evoke a sense of rusticity and refinement — all set across the backdrop of custom large-scale murals created by Lux that depict agave fields, blue corn, citrus and traditional motifs.
550E Oak Grove Ave, Menlo Park; 650.399.3799
The Mess Hall
San Francisco
The Presidio’s Tunnel Tops Park has a new all-day dining destination opening on August 8: the Mess Hall, a modern, 6,200-square-foot indoor-outdoor food hall housed in a historic building thoughtfully reimagined by Studio KDA and builder ACI. Originally constructed in 1897 as part of the Presidio’s historic military campus, the structure has served as an army depot, butcher shop, animal feed store and mailroom over the years. The new design honors its history while incorporating industrial materials, warm natural textures, and 1930s- and ’40s-inspired accents.
The Mess Hall features three restaurants — Dayboat Seafood, Korean and Asian eatery Boda, and sandwich and burger spot Breadwinner — along with a cocktail bar, café and market stocked with grab-and-go picnic essentials.
Make a day of it! Hike the new 13-mile Golden Gate Dozen Trail, which opened in July, from Fort Funston to Crissy Field, and then reward yourself with a well-earned meal and Golden Gate views at The Mess Hall.
201 Halleck St., San Francisco
Winery
Beaulieu Vineyard
Rutherford
Following an extensive two-year renovation led by Signum Architecture and BAMO, Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) has just unveiled a stunning new hospitality center that blends modern design with original structural elements, bringing new life to the winery’s historic stone buildings in Rutherford. The structures, dating to the 1880s, were thoughtfully restored, while new floor-to-ceiling glass, reclaimed redwood from former winery tanks, and salvaged Douglas Fir were incorporated into design. Historical artifacts and custom artwork by local Bay Area artists are also incorporated throughout the winery.
There are seven distinct tasting spaces, including the light-filled Rutherford Atrium; the open-air 1885 Courtyard; the Founders’ Garage, where guests can view cofounder Georges de Latour’s Cadillac up close; and the glass jewel box called The Rarity Room named for the winery’s Rarity Cabernet Sauvignon, of which only six vintages have ever been released. BV has also launched a new culinary program led by winery chef Sam McKenzie, with experiences ranging from light seasonal bites to multicourse pairings and small plates inspired by archival menus from BV cofounder Fernande de Latour.
1960 Saint Helena Highway, Rutherford, 707.257.5749
Lotus Abrams has covered everything from beauty to business to tech in her editorial career, but it might be writing about her native Bay Area that inspires her most. She lives with her husband and two daughters in the San Francisco Peninsula, where they enjoy spending time outdoors at the area’s many open spaces protected and preserved by her favorite local nonprofit, the Peninsula Open Space Trust.
