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Latest & Greatest

Ladies, Launches, and Local Buzz

March 2026

Greetings everyone! Welcome back to af&co.’s monthly roundup of all the fun partnerships, events, activations, and everything else we are working on behind the scenes. There is a lot happening and we cannot wait to share it with you.

First, a little exciting news from our team. Our good friend, Azalina Eusope, nominated me to be honored at last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting. During the meeting, I was recognized by the City of San Francisco with a commendation and certificate of honor for my efforts in supporting the hospitality industry and the amazing businesses that keep our city thriving. I’m truly so proud of San Francisco and am grateful to Supervisor Matt Dorsey for this honor. Say yes to San Francisco, and San Francisco will say yes to you! I am incredibly grateful and still feeling all the love.



March is also Women’s History Month! If you all know me – you know I love women (no comments please). More than loving them, I admire, respect them, and they are by far my favorite people in the world.  From my mom, my sister-in-law Heidi and my niece-in-law Tara, to my mentors, my work wives (my besties), our client restaurateurs, chefs, winemakers and hospitality pros and our mostly female team at af&co. and Carbonate – I am one lucky guy to have you all in my life. I honor you all this month and always! Keep scrolling to read more!

Sisters are indeed doing it for themselves –

– Andrew & the af&co. team



WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

This Women’s History Month, we’re proud to highlight the inspiring women that are helping shape the hospitality and wine industries across the Bay Area.

🍊 Clementine
Rebecca Weitzman, Culinary Director & Executive Chef
With a career that has spanned continents and cuisines, Rebecca leads the resort’s culinary direction with creativity, intention, and reverence for Napa Valley’s traditions. With every project, Rebecca brings a rare blend of imagination, discipline, and heart, redefining the landscape of modern dining, one inspired plate at a time.

🫜 Little Saint
Deborah Mullin, Director of Culinary
Leading Little Saint’s 100% plant-based kitchen, Chef Deborah blends Italian culinary traditions with a sustainability-driven ethos. Her approach highlights regenerative agriculture, heirloom ingredients, and cuisine rooted in wellness and compassion.

🍽️ Wild Onion Bistro & Bar
Julie Cablay, Executive Chef
Born in the Philippines and raised in Hawaii, Julie brings a multicultural perspective to her California-driven cuisine. As Executive Chef at Wild Onion, Julie focuses on seasonal California ingredients, balanced, nutrition-forward cooking, and subtle influences from her Filipino heritage. She is passionate about mentoring young cooks and building collaborative kitchen teams.

🍷 Martha Stoumen
Martha Stoumen, Founder & Winemaker
A first-generation winemaker, Martha founded her label to explore the question: What does California taste like? With global training and a focus on organic and regenerative farming, she crafts naturally made wines that reflect Northern California’s biodiversity and sense of place.

🥂 Reeve Wines
Katy Wilson, Director of Winemaking
From walnut orchards to overseeing 25 vineyards across Sonoma and Mendocino, Katy’s winemaking philosophy centers on letting each vineyard speak for itself. Her thoughtful, site-driven approach creates wines that capture both season and story.

✨ Parche + Jaji
Sophia Akbar, Co-Owner
Rooted in her Afghan-American heritage, Sophia approaches hospitality as cultural bridge-building. After co-opening Parche to celebrate her husband Paul Iglesias’ Colombian roots, she expanded her vision with Jaji, honoring Afghan traditions through a contemporary lens. Her work reflects warmth, identity, and the power of food to connect communities.

🍸 Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group
Tai Ricci, Partner
A founding partner since 2013, Tai Ricci leads events and community initiatives across acclaimed concepts including Trestle, MAMA Oakland, and 7 Adams. From the beloved Winter Wonderland activation to fundraisers supporting Sprouts Chefs in Training and local nonprofits, Tai bridges leadership and staff with compassion and care, championing both community impact and team well-being.

🥘 Barcha
Brigid Huntoon, General Manager
With over 20 years in hospitality, Brigid has grown from Lunch Manager to General Manager over five years, bringing warmth, resilience, and deep industry knowledge to the role. A lifelong musician and hospitality veteran, she leads with presence and adaptability, cultivating a space where team culture and guest connection thrive.

🍝 MAMA Oakland
Priscilla Przygocki, Executive Chef
A self-taught chef who grew up watching Julia Child and Martin Yan, Priscilla leads MAMA’s kitchen with creativity and a deep love of seasonal California ingredients. Her global culinary experiences and decade refining her craft in San Francisco shine through in thoughtful Italian dishes that feel both elevated and comforting.

👩‍🍳 Eight North
Betsy Lawer & Sarah Lawer, Owners
Abby Burk, Executive Chef
This women-owned, women-chef-led restaurant in Calistoga was founded by mother-daughter team Betsy and Sarah Lawer of Lawer Estates. Their mission is to create a welcoming space where wine, food, and community come together. Led by Executive Chef Abby Burk, the kitchen focuses on wood-fired, seasonal dishes designed to complement the region’s wines and celebrate a strong sense of place.

🍔 Gott’s Roadside
Jennifer Rebman, Vice President of Culinary
With more than two decades of culinary and restaurant management experience, she plays a central role in maintaining the quality, consistency, and innovation that Gott’s Roadside is known for. Since 2015, she has overseen menu development, sourcing, and kitchen operations across the brand’s California locations. Prior to joining Gott’s, she worked with acclaimed restaurants in New York City and held leadership roles with restaurant groups including ‘wichcraft and La Boulange, bringing a blend of fine-dining experience and operational expertise to the Gott’s Roadside brand.

CONGRATS! | Gott’s Opens in Los Angeles

Gott’s Roadside, the Northern California roadside restaurant emphasizing locally sourced ingredients with a modern twist on American classics, has officially opened its flagship Los Angeles location at the Original Farmers Market!

The restaurant features Gott’s recognizable modern roadside aesthetic with bright, welcoming interiors, communal seating, and an expansive patio designed for gathering with family and friends. Unique to this Los Angeles location, guests can order from a dedicated soft-serve window, serving Strauss organic vanilla, chocolate, and swirl along with old-fashioned toppings and dips, adding a nostalgic touch to the experience.

If you are in LA, stop into Gott’s now for their craveable dishes, house-made lemonade, soft serve, and more!

🍟 Now Open
📍 The Original Farmer’s Market
👉 Read more on Eater LA, SFGate, and Secret Los Angeles

Visit Oakland: Oakland Restaurant Week

This 10-day feast of global flavors features more than 140 restaurants, from cultural concepts to Michelin-recommended spots, showcasing Oakland’s diverse culinary scene. Named the #1 Best Food City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler in 2024 and 2025, Oakland invites you to explore exclusive menus, special offers, and unique activations that celebrate its vibrant culture and cuisine.

From Jack London Square and Temescal to Uptown and Fruitvale, Oakland Restaurant Week highlights the city’s top foodie hotspots, including Jaji, Parche, MAMA, The Caffè by Mr. Espresso, Otto’s at Kissel Uptown Oakland, and more!

📅 March 12 – 22
👉 Additional details HERE

St. Patrick’s Day Performance | The Walker Roaders at Little Saint

On March 17th, The Walker Roaders will be coming to Little Saint in Healdsburg for a night full of Celtic-punk music!

The Walker Roaders is a Celtic-punk supergroup featuring James Fearnley, Ted Hutt, and Marc Orrel. The trio met in the U.S. and released their self-titled debut album in 2019, co-written by the members with lyrics by Fearnley and produced by Hutt. Their music combines traditional instruments like accordion, mandolin, and banjo with rock elements.

Buy a ticket to the show and stop by Little Saint before for a 100% plant based dinner with delicious cocktails, mocktails, or a wide selection of wine for the ideal St. Patrick’s Day plan. ☘️

📅 Tuesday, March 17 | 7:00 PM
📍 Little Saint
🎟️ Secure your ticket here

Canela & Friends | Azalina x Canela

This March, Azalina Eusope will be collaborating with Mat Schuster of Canela Bistro Bar for a special menu that weaves together Spanish and Malaysian flavors. Azalina, a fifth generation street food vendor and chef/owner of Azalina’s in the Tenderloin, has built her Michelin-recognized tasting menu around the food she grew up eating. Named Chef of the Year by Eater and a James Beard Award nominee, her work extends beyond hospitality, with ongoing community work in the Tenderloin. Canela x Azalina comes as the latest collaboration dinner of Canela & Friends, a year-long collaboration series celebrating creativity and community.

The collaboration will be kicking off on Thursday, March 26th, and will run through March 29th. The new menu will feature tapas like Coconut Milk Bechamel Croquets with Anchovy Crumb and Malaysian Style BBQ Pollastre amb Gambes.

📅 Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 5:00PM – 9:30PM
📍 Canela Bistro Bar
🪑 Reserve your spot here

Did You Hear? | Bad Bunny Dines at Macarena Post-Super Bowl

The all-star team at Macarena had just 24 hours to prepare for Bad Bunny’s 60-person dinner following his Super Bowl performance. After calling their guests who made reservations on Sunday evening to cancel and keeping their staff laser focused despite being a bit starstuck, the evening was a great success and celebration of his show.

Macarena opened in Palo Alto less than a year ago, so hosting Bad Bunny and his family and friends was a big milestone for the team. Congratulations!

If you want to dine like a celebrity and book a table at Macarena, check out the link below.

📰 Read more on San Francisco Chronicle, SFGate and KRON4
📍 Macarena
🪑 Book your table here

Anniversary Celebration | 30 Years of ButtercuP Diner in Walnut Creek!

The East Bay’s favorite eatery, ButtercuP Diner, celebrated 30 years at their Ygnacio Valley Road location in Walnut Creek at the end of February! Opening the first Buttercup Diner location in 1988 on North Main Street, owners David and Debbie Shahvar saw an opportunity to continue their business legacy when the restaurant on Ygnacio Valley Road became available in 1996.

Born from a desire to offer fresh, scratch-made American comfort food in a welcoming, affordable setting, the diner has grown into a beloved multi-location institution across Concord, Vallejo, and Oakland while remaining deeply rooted in its original Walnut Creek community.

The team held a ribbon cutting event on February 24 to highlight their continued commitment to the neighborhood and Walnut Creek location.

📍 ButtercuP Diner
📱 Follow them on Instagram HERE

Hi, Neighbor! | New Concept Coming Soon to China Basin

Last month, our team was thrilled to officially announce that Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group plans to open a new waterfront restaurant in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood at China Basin, slated to open in Fall 2026.

Designed by renowned architect Cass Calder Smith, the restaurant will feature expansive indoor and outdoor spaces with picturesque views of the Mission Creek channel. Situated directly across from Oracle Park, the restaurant will serve residents, nearby office workers, and visitors alike, offering dinner, happy hour, and group dining.

Following along here for more updates to come as we approach the fall!

🗓️ Coming Soon
📍 China Basin
👉 Read more on SFGate, Eater SF, SFist, and San Francisco Business

Andrew’s Marketing Mindset | Recent Book Foreword

“Everyone Should Have a Marketing Mindset. Every Business Should Have Hospitality.”

We are proud to share that Andrew is the author of the foreword for Developing Your Marketing Mindset, which is part of the new Marketing Mindset Series written by Leora Halpern Lanz! This collection is a masterclass in building brands rooted in purpose, empathy, and real-world hospitality.

Andrew has spent 40 years proving that hospitality is the only way to do business. In his foreword, he dives into why a people-centered approach is the ultimate strategy for success. If you are interested in learning more and reading Andrew’s foreword for yourself, click the link below to buy a copy!

📚 Link to buy HERE

NEW AF&CO. PARTNERS

We are pleased to announce our newest partners, Clementina, Mom’s List, Rodney Strong Vineyards!

🍊 Clementina is a neighborhood Italian trattoria in San Francisco offering authentic Italian cuisine in a 100% celiac-safe, gluten-free kitchen. Founded by the team behind Montesacro and led by Italian-born owners Gianluca Legrottaglie and Viviana Devoto alongside Chef Giorgio Brunella, Clementina was inspired by the founders’ daughter and a desire to create a restaurant where guests can experience the freedom and generosity that define Italian dining culture. Rooted in family, craftsmanship and hospitality, Clementina focuses on regional Italian cooking, Italian wines from independent producers and a welcoming trattoria setting designed for gathering and shared meals. Clementina aims to be a destination for diners seeking Italian tradition prepared with care and intention, regardless of dietary restrictions.

🍔 Mom’s List is a neighborhood dining concept and boutique market in Culver City founded by Ziad “Zee” Batal as a tribute to his mother’s commitment to ingredient integrity and the handwritten grocery lists she used to nourish her family. Inspired by her weekly “Burger Day” ritual, the concept transforms everyday comfort food into a focused expression of transparency and care. Led by Chef Scott Howard, the menu centers on 100% organic, grass-fed beef burgers, hand-cut sides, and nostalgic milkshakes prepared with thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Rooted in honesty, hospitality, and shared values, Mom’s List is designed to serve familiar food with intention.

🍷 Rodney Strong Vineyards is recognized as one of Sonoma County’s foundational wineries, with a six-decade commitment to quality, innovation, and community. Spanning vineyards from the region’s most renowned AVAs, the brand possesses a unique ability to showcase the depth and diversity of Sonoma County, from accessible, benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon to their acclaimed Single-Vineyard and Reserve offerings. Rodney Strong’s dedication to Sonoma as a wine growing region and to the community itself embodies the spirit of Northern California, with the brand’s family-oriented business practices setting it apart.

WHAT’S TRENDING + IN THE NEWS

The Cottages at Little Saint made the list of VegNews’ best vegan-friendly resorts for planning your next whimsical getaway.