Hello All-

We’re heading into spring with a packed schedule for April. We’re excited to share a lineup of collaborations, events, openings, and limited-time offerings to add to your calendar.

To kick off this month’s newsletter, I wanted to share a quote from a book I’m currently reading, that a few of our team members have read, too:

“[…] let you in on a little secret, one that the truly great professionals in my business know: hospitality is a selfish pleasure. It feels great to make other people feel good.”
– Will Guidara, Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect

And I couldn’t agree more. It’s a sentiment that goes beyond restaurants or the hospitality industry. People remember how they felt in a moment. They may not recall exactly what was said, but they will remember how someone made them feel. At af&co., we aim to carry that idea into our work each day and into the way we show up for our clients, partners, and media & influencer collaborators.

With that in mind, keep reading to see all the ways our clients are planning to go above and beyond this month.

– Andrew & the af&co. team

The weather is warming up and al fresco dining is becoming one of our go-to weekend activities. Text your friends and pick one of these spots. You can’t go wrong with any of the options!

San Francisco

Outdoor dining at the Ferry Building is located along one of the city’s most iconic stretches on the Embarcadero. Local favorites like Señor Sisig, Cholita Linda, and Hog Island Oyster Co. perfectly pair with unbeatable views of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. For rooftop escapes, Rise Over Run, perched atop the Timbri Hotel, offers sweeping skyline views and a warm, minimalist design, serving shareable bites and expertly crafted cocktails in a space that feels like a rare hideaway above the city’s buzz. Meanwhile, Charmaine’s delivers their outdoor dining moment 120 feet above Market Street, where fire pits, skyline views, and a menu built for grazing meet European terrace glamour and laid-back California ease. Neighborhood staple Nopa offers a thoughtfully designed parklet along bustling Divisadero Street, encouraging guests to linger over wood-fired dishes and seasonal fare, with menus that change daily to highlight organic produce, responsibly raised meats, and sustainably sourced ingredients.

At Chotto Matte, an expansive outdoor terrace atop Union Square blends Tokyo’s neon energy with Miami’s art-inspired aesthetic, serving bold Nikkei cuisine alongside weekend brunch, business lunches, and DJ-led evenings. Along the waterfront, Scoma’s places guests right along the bay on Pier 47 serving classic seafood like Lazy Man’s Cioppino, fresh Dungeness crab, and daily catches. Nearby, Alora offers an unparalleled back patio view of the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge, creating one of the most Instagrammable dining experiences along the Embarcadero. Next door, Bon Delire blends a Parisian-inspired bistro by day with a sultry cocktail bar by night, with outdoor seating that showcases cityscape views alongside modern French cuisine and vinyl-spun DJ sets. Cozy patio dining can be found at Canela Bistro Bar, where a heated outdoor space invites guests to enjoy Spanish-inspired tapas and craft cocktails while watching the historic F Line streetcars pass, and at Barcha, where a bright, vibe-y patio and covered outdoor options create the ultimate setup for gatherings. In the Financial District, The Vault Garden features a heated and covered urban retreat with raw bar offerings, salads, sandwiches, and the signature Vault Burger, while Sens features an elevated patio complete with a long fireplace for relaxed lunches or dinners.

East Bay

Berkeley Boathouse features a heated outdoor patio overlooking the Berkeley Marina and the San Francisco skyline with a seafood-forward menu in what’s described as a perfect urban oasis just minutes from downtown Berkeley. Pippal, located on a third-floor dining terrace, offers a picturesque patio with a fireplace, sunset views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and an inviting indoor-outdoor facade ideal for happy hour or date night. In Walnut Creek, Buttercup Diner provides a shaded sanctuary serving nostalgic diner dishes, with all-day options from breakfast to dinner and a full bar featuring craft cocktails and California wine.

North Bay

Bistro Lagniappe brings new life to a familiar space with an expansive back patio centered around a wood-fired oven, offering an easygoing, open-air setting ideal for long afternoons or relaxed dinners. Little Saint is a 100% plant-based restaurant, coffee bar, wine lounge, and events venue, where guests can enjoy thoughtfully prepared, seasonal dishes on a shaded patio using ingredients sourced from Little Saint Farm.

In Yountville, Clementine features a Mediterranean-influenced, ingredient-led menu served in an outdoor space shaded by olive trees, designed to encourage guests to linger. For wine tasting, Reeve Wines offers a serene outdoor experience surrounded by oak trees and heritage vines, complete with guided tastings and even friendly goats nearby. Overshine Wine Co. provides panoramic views of the Russian River Valley and Mayacamas mountains, with seated tastings that emphasize storytelling, music, and community. More casual tasting experiences can be found at BloodRoot, a laid-back downtown spot with food pop-ups and DJ sets, and Idlewild Wines, which offers one of the largest patios in downtown Healdsburg alongside Piedmontese-inspired wines and curated cheese and salumi plates. Continue exploring Sonoma at Rodney Strong Vineyards, where their outdoor terrace is ideal for soaking up spring over a glass of their sustainably-farmed wines.

South Bay

Wild Onion Bistro & Bar highlights seasonal cuisine with a seafood-forward approach, featuring dishes like Wagyu burgers, ahi poke bowls, and lobster rolls served on a spacious patio beside the hotel’s dipping pool. Eos & Nyx blends modern innovation with a traditional California menu influenced by 22 regions, offering everything from mezze to grilled meats and brunch favorites in a setting with ample outdoor seating. Poppy & Claro offers a refined yet relaxed all-day dining experience, with a spacious patio overlooking Circle of Palms Plaza. Meyhouse showcases contemporary Turkish cuisine with mezze, grilled meats, and traditional dishes, with both locations offering outdoor seating designed for sharing stories and flavors. In Palo Alto, Macarena features a newly introduced parklet and outdoor terrace with heaters, a lighter tapas menu, and a setting surrounded by lush greenery and redwood trees that transports guests to Spain.

Southern California

Ramen Nagi brings its cult-favorite Japanese ramen experience outdoors, where guests can enjoy signature bowls and rotating Limited Kings on inviting patios, offering a relaxed setting to savor bold, customizable flavors and shareable bites in the sunshine.

Mom’s List, a new, “clean comfort” dining destination that bridges the gap between nostalgic American classics and uncompromising ingredient transparency, is officially open in Culver City!

Mom’s List takes a focused approach to the American classic, built around 100% organic, grass-fed and grass-finished beef burgers, hand-cut potatoes, house-made sauces, and milkshakes crafted from pure milk and ice cream. Emphasizing ingredient integrity and sourcing clarity, Mom’s List publicly lists all suppliers, vendors, farmers, and ranchers so guests know exactly what they are eating. Founder Ziad “Zee” Batal plans to change the fast casual landscape by being completely transparent about his restaurant.

Be sure to stop if you are in Los Angeles or have a trip coming up to try their signature burger, The OG with house sauce and caramelized onions, The Golden Rule, a breakfast-style burger topped with two eggs and cheddar and hand-cut fries and sweet potato chips.

🍔 Open Daily | 11:00AM – 11:00PM

📍 Culver City, Los Angeles

👉 Read more on Westside Today and Secret Los Angeles

Clementina, a San Francisco neighborhood Italian trattoria offering Italian cooking in a 100% gluten-free kitchen, opened on March 12!

Clementina was created to offer an inclusive Italian dining experience where guests with gluten restrictions and those without can share the same table without hesitation. The restaurant operates with a fully gluten-free kitchen designed to eliminate cross-contamination while maintaining strong ties to Italian culinary tradition. As part of its commitment to accessibility and fairness, Clementina also vows to never charge guests a premium simply because dishes are gluten-free, reinforcing the belief that inclusive dining should be standard rather than a luxury.

🍝 Book your reservation on OpenTable

📍 Clement Street

📖 Read more on SF Standard, SF Business Times, Eater SF, and Haute Living SF

George+Kin’s officially opened its doors on Sunday, April 12 in Napa’s Bel Aire Plaza marking the launch of a new kind of diner offering comforting American classics shaped by the flavors and traditions of owner Ben Koenig’s Japanese American family.

The concept blends the warmth of classic American diner fare with subtle nods to Koenig’s heritage creating a space where locals and travelers can find something familiar, comforting, and welcoming. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., George + Kin’s brings a nostalgic diner experience to wine country.

🥞 Open Daily | 8:00AM – 8:00PM

📍 Napa Valley

📖 Read more on Eater SF

Huge congratulations to the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort team, who won a Poppy Award for “Best Influencer Campaign”!

This award recognized the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort x OSEA influencer campaign, which celebrated the reopening of the historic property by blending heritage storytelling with modern wellness through an immersive, three-day creator experience. By partnering with a values-aligned California brand and amplifying authentic influencer content, the campaign elevated Murrieta and Temecula Valley as a premier wellness destination while driving strong awareness, engagement and early visitation.

Big congrats to our other partners who were recognized as finalists at this year’s awards: First Light Resorts in the “Best Sustainability or Resilience Award” category, Visit Oakland in the “Best Strategic Partnership” category, and The San Francisco Peninsula in the “Best Brand Advertising Campaign – Under $1 million” category! Brava to all teams!

🏆 CONGRATS to the winners and finalists!

👉 Check out all the winners HERE

Spring San Francisco Restaurant Week is now through April 19th! Savor the city with special prix-fixe menus from SF’s best restaurants, explore our incredible neighborhoods, and support local chefs and teams who make this city delicious.

Brunch/Lunch: $10–$45
Dinner: $30–$90

You will recognize some familiar names in this year’s participating restaurant list including Early to Rise, Canela, Chotto Matte, Alora, ROOH, Rise Over Run, The Vault Garden, The Vault Steakhouse, Barcha, and Palio!

📅 Now – April 19

🍽️ Find all participant menus HERE

Oakland’s hotspot Parche is collaborating with Diplomático Rum this April!

On Thursday, April 23, guests can sign up for an interactive rum blending class that leads into a collaborative Afro-Latin dinner with Chef Nelson German. This experience will explore the craftsmanship and flavor profiles behind several Diplomático expressions and showcase a multi-course menu inspired by the culinary traditions of the Caribbean and Latin America.

📅 Thursday, April 23 | Rum Blending Class & Top Chef Dinner

📍 Parche, 2295 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

🎟️ Secure your spot here

Public Market Emeryville presents Spring Fest, a full-day, family-friendly celebration of the season bringing together local makers, live music, and interactive community-driven activities.

Guests can explore a Makers Market in the breezeway, featuring local artisans and small businesses, alongside outdoor experiences including kite displays and spring-inspired programming for all ages. A special beekeeping pop-up in partnership with Alvéole will offer an educational kiosk where guests can learn about pollination, urban beekeeping, and honey production—highlighting sustainability in an engaging, accessible way. The San Francisco Opera will present a live pop-up performance with Bohème Out of the Box, bringing an unexpected and elevated cultural moment to the festival.

Perfect for families, friend groups, and weekend explorers, Spring Fest invites guests to enjoy food and drinks from Public Market’s diverse lineup of vendors while experiencing the best of the local community.

📅 Saturday, April 18 | 12:00PM – 7:00PM

👉 Additional details HERE

Sip the City is an immersive three-level experience that seamlessly blends wine, food and art. Across three levels at 945 Market Street, guests will enjoy a curated journey through California’s premier viticulture regions. The experience features more than 20 acclaimed wineries, from Napa, Sonoma, Livermore, and Santa Barbara, alongside the innovative spirit of the Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco urban wine scenes.

As guests navigate the multi-floor experience, the tastings will be complemented by small bites from local purveyors, live performances and contemporary artist galleries. Tickets for Sip the City are $80 per person and include tastings and bites from featured vendors.

📅 Saturday, April 25 | 1:00PM – 4:00PM

📍 945 Market

🎟️ Secure your ticket here

The San Francisco Peninsula, the region’s official Destination Marketing Organization, is excited to launch Flavors of the Peninsula, a 10-day culinary event celebrating the region’s diverse culinary landscape.

Over 130+ participating restaurants will offer curated prix-fixe menus and special events that showcase the flavors defining this dynamic region. From seafood restaurants hugging the Pacific coast to contemporary kitchens in bustling bayside cities, Flavors of the Peninsula is one of the most ambitious restaurant week programs in California, spotlighting the best in dining bayside to coastside.

Special ticketed events include:

Flavors of the Peninsula Tasting Event: From Coastside to Bayside

📅 Thursday, April 23rd | 6 – 8pm

💵 Ticket Price: $75

📍 Camber | 460 Forbes Blvd, South San Francisco

The Peninsula Gathering: A Celebration of Global Coastal Cuisine

📅 Friday, May 1, 2026 | 6 – 8pm

💵 Ticket Price: $75

📍 La Costanera | 260 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay

📅 April 23 – May 3

📖 Read more in THIS 7×7 article!

We are pleased to announce our newest partners, Flora, BOA Steakhouse Napa, and George+Kin’s! We are so excited to be working with these teams on these amazing new restaurant openings! Read a bit more about the concepts below:

🥂 Flora is set to be a vibrant all-day destination rooted in the spirit of California. Located in the heart of Santana Row, Flora’s immersive space evolves throughout the day, shifting from bright and airy daytime to moody, intimate evenings. From local hospitality veterans Russ Fukushima, Jameson Parvizad, and Danny Shafazand, Flora’s food and beverage program will pay homage to California’s multicultural influences. Utilizing seasonal ingredients, guests will enjoy thoughtfully-curated dishes throughout the day alongside a selection of inventive craft cocktails. Whether its leisurely lunches, weekend brunch, twilight drinks or celebratory nights out, Flora is a tribute to the art of gathering.

🍳 George+Kin’s is an all day diner located in Napa, California, built around comforting, honest food rooted in nostalgic tradition. Founded by restaurateur Ben Koenig, the concept is a deeply personal tribute to his great aunt and uncle, Kinuko and George Sato. The restaurant blends Japanese-American heritage with the soul of a traditional American diner, offering a space that feels like an extension of home. From signature Japanese milk bread baked in-house to hearty breakfast staples, George + Kin’s celebrates the way Japanese cooking has influenced the American household.

🥩 Since opening its flagship in West Hollywood in 2001, BOA has redefined the American steakhouse with a bold, contemporary approach that pairs premium ingredients with vibrant design and a distinctly social atmosphere. At BOA Steakhouse Napa, that energy will blend seamlessly with wine country sophistication, delivering a dining experience that feels equally at home amid vineyard views and celebratory evenings out.

Ever wanted to know what it takes to make the perfect Dutch crunch bread? Chef Andrew at Early to Rise has got it down to a science and The San Francisco Standard gave everyone the scoop.

• The KRON4 Live in the Bay team got to celebrate National Paella Day with Macarena, who brought their delicious offerings to the studio!
• We are still celebrating our 20th year anniversary! We were truly blown away and so incredibly grateful for Modern Restaurant Management’s recent highlight piece for af&co. Take a read – its a great one!
• With the start of spring comes great produce. If you are in need of inspiration for your big piles of fresh ingredients from your local farmers market, check out this recent KTVU Fox-2 segment with Chef Laurence Jossel of Nopa.
• The Oakland restaurant scene is buzzing and at the center of it all stands Parche and Chef Paul Iglesias. Read more on his story in this recent San Francisco Business Times article.
• If you are based in the East Bay, be sure to check out Public Market‘s new “Sound Bites” weekly music series on Fridays!
• According to Modern Luxury, Meze & Kebab is helping redefine Silicon Valley’s food scene. Have you been yet?
• The Ramble is returning to Healdsburg this June and the BloodRoot Wines team can’t wait to highlight Sonoma County’s finest wines, food, and nationally acclaimed musical talent. Read more in this recent 7×7 piece!
• Downtown San Jose’s new gem, Poppy & Claro is proud to serve their farm-fresh cuisine. Read more about Laura Ness’ recent experience here.
• Flora is coming soon to Santana Row – stay tuned!
• Wellness-centered travel is really starting to pick up and Roman Spa is listening to the needs of their guests by launching a new treatment and enhancements!
• Have you heard about Festus Ezeli‘s limited time dish being served at Chotto Matte? Learn more in this reel!
• Take some inspiration from @izyohanna and book a staycation at Tetra Hotel and a dinner at Meyhouse.
• Canela‘s ongoing “Canela and Friends” series celebrated another collaboration menu, this time with Azalina’s. Check out the full rundown here.
• Need a food spot with lots of options for your entire friend group to be satisfied? Make sure Saluhall is on your list!
• Fitoor San Jose just celebrated their two year anniversary with a full two weekend line up of events!
• Need a break from the doomscrolling and endless news cycle? Check into Murrieta Hot Springs Resort to unplug for a few days and just soak in the geothermal waters (and maybe book a spa appointment).
• The Financial District is jam packed with some of the city’s best spots, including Palio, The Vault Steakhouse, Barcha, and more. Check out @sarahsundrop‘s recent reel to add a few spots to your radar for the next time you are in the neighborhood.
• Get to know Clementine‘s Executive Chef and Culinary Director of the Estate Yountville, Rebecca Weitzman, in a recent piece from Inside Napa Valley. Plan your visit to enjoy her seasonal, farm-forward cuisine on the patio at Clementine this spring.