<![CDATA[robin]]>https://robinying.substack.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iYMr!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5c0d073-d839-474c-b8da-5d8a88c4973f_1202x1204.pngrobinhttps://robinying.substack.comSubstackThu, 03 Sep 2026 02:23:47 GMT<![CDATA[10 recently opened & coming soon spots in San Francisco ]]>https://robinying.substack.com/p/10-recently-opened-and-coming-soonhttps://robinying.substack.com/p/10-recently-opened-and-coming-soonThu, 27 Aug 2026 05:24:43 GMT

  • Jupiter room (2065 polk street): martini focused bar launching late 2026. By Michelin star chef peter hemsley + mixologist trevin hutchins. Elevated comfort foods & innovative cocktails

  • Julius castle: the historic restaurant below coit tower is set to open fall 2026 after a long renovation

  • The golden gate dozen: 13 mile trail that newly links 12 national park sites from Chrissy field to fort funston; trail takes 4-5 hours (I did it! See my note here for pics)

  • The presidio mess hall: the long awaited part food hall, part bar, part market in the presidio. 7a-8p Mon-Thurs & 7a-10p Fri-Sun

  • Tartine: opening their 4th location in fidi (351 California)

  • Handroll hawker: Russian hill on-the-go handroll spot opening fall 2026 at 2360 polk street

  • Le Mil’s: recently opened polk street coffee shop serving speciality Indian coffee, no-caf drinks, and pastries

  • Ruay Mitr Chicken & Rice: new Thai spot between Nob hill and Chinatown; already has 4.8 stars on Google Maps.

  • Original Joe’s cable car: to open in west portal as a spinoff of little original joe’s - but more fast casual vibes

  • Bar Coto: taking over former “the station” in jackson square, it’ll be an Italian cafe by day, bar by night. Same team as cotogna!

    • What’d I miss?

    ]]>    <![CDATA[10 coffee shops in San Francisco that make their drinks with in-house syrups]]>https://robinying.substack.com/p/10-coffee-shops-in-san-franciscohttps://robinying.substack.com/p/10-coffee-shops-in-san-franciscoSun, 23 Aug 2026 16:34:57 GMTWelcome to part one of some great coffee shops in San Francisco and my favorite drinks they serve with house-made syrups. A seemingly rare delicacy!

    How you know your coffee’s about to be fire:

    Alright here we go…

    The coffee movement (nob hill or the mission)

    • Serving seasonal drinks right now, like the orange cream soda and the orange vanilla latte!

    Better half coffee (Russian hill)

    • Their classic ispahan syrup is lovely.

    Side characters (polk street)

    • Opened only recently, pictured below is their pistachio butter latte.

    Motoring coffee (Russian hill)

    • I’m a fan of their burnt rubber americano with housemade Osaka black sesame cold foam.

    Double black (Cole valley)

    • Just opened! They have a few housemade syrups but I particularly enjoyed a cold brew w/ their cardamom cold foam on top.

    Hardware coffee (west portal)

    • I have been on an espresso tonic kick, and their peach espresso tonic really scratched my itch.

    Native twins (Lafayette park in pac heights)

    • A coffee truck in Lafayette park that has a housemade raspberry syrup!

    Sol y soul (nob hill)

    • This coffee cart pops up inside of Tohona Mercado, a Mexican restaurant, and their sol syrup (a blend of vanilla/honey/lavender) is perfect. I love their sparkling jamaica seasonal special

    The wild fox (financial district)

    • This is a vacant to vibrant popup downtown and I really hope it stays! Fidi needs more independent coffee shops. I loved their shio vanilla latte, so smooth.

    Le mil’s (polk street)

    • Another “just opened!” on polk street! I got the sofi latte which comes with masala jaggery syrup.

    That is all for today! I’ll be back soon with a part two. Also, what did I miss? Lmk :)

    ]]>    <![CDATA[SF hidden gem of the week: dawn club]]>https://robinying.substack.com/p/sf-hidden-gem-of-the-week-dawn-clubhttps://robinying.substack.com/p/sf-hidden-gem-of-the-week-dawn-clubMon, 25 May 2026 02:11:30 GMTdawn club is the original location and revival of a 1940’s speakeasy that once broadcast jazz on shortwave radio during world war II. i spent a lovely little saturday night here and left feeling like it was possible that the century had folded in on itself somewhere between the first cocktail and the last song.

    key features:

    • an absurd whiskey selection

    • cocktails that run $14-24

    • no food menu (so eat before)

    • live music that starts promptly at 8pm each night

      • note a reservation fee after 7pm that goes straight to the musicians. but bar seating is walk-in, no cover, and you can also avoid the fee by coming between 5-7pm for happy hour

    I ordered an extra dirty, extra dry martini; my boyfriend, an old fashioned. familiar drinks, almost stubbornly classic, but executed so perfectly they felt newly invented. everything tastes better in a dim, velveted room that hums softly with jazz and history

    ]]>    <![CDATA[SF hidden gem of the week: not your average corner store]]>https://robinying.substack.com/p/sf-hidden-gem-of-the-week-not-yourhttps://robinying.substack.com/p/sf-hidden-gem-of-the-week-not-yourMon, 04 May 2026 05:51:34 GMTit’s a taco joint, tequila shop, and coffee bar all in one. TAHONA MERCADO IN NOB HILL is my new favorite spot!

    hours:

    • sunday 8-3

    • mon/tues 8-7

    • weds closed

    • thurs/fri/sat 8-7

    faves: this breakfast burrito (only available weekends 9-2). divinely toasted, fresh/quality ingredients, and a flavorful green salsa to top it off.

    coffee: on thurs-sun, sol y soul (a coffee pop up serving mexican inspired cafecito) pops up inside to sell coffee. i tried their latte and it was perfection!

    other notes: spending an hour here made me question why i don’t collect bottles of tequila

    i’ll see you soon, tahona mercado! (and maybe i’ll buy one of your yellow avocados when i do)

    ]]>    <![CDATA[5 small things i did in san francisco last week to fill my cup (4/12)]]>https://robinying.substack.com/p/5-small-things-i-did-in-san-franciscohttps://robinying.substack.com/p/5-small-things-i-did-in-san-franciscoSun, 12 Apr 2026 08:32:09 GMT1). started going on morning walks to wake up with the sun, the transamerica pyramid, and if I’m lucky, the wild parrots

    2). mailed a real life letter via blue box a few blocks away

    3). found a grassy patch and sat in the sun (huntington park, nob hill)

    4). stopped to buy a bunch of bananas in chinatown (instead of trader joe’s)

    5). tried one new thing (the infamous il canto breakfast burrito). i got it with bacon and spinach (because balance, duh). huge fan

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