4 Restaurants and Bars to Try This Weekend in the Bay Area: June 21

As we head into the weekend, Eater SF editors have compiled a list of recommendations to answer one of the most persistent and, arguably, pressing questions of the day: “Where should I eat?” Of course, we have several resources to help guide your dining and drinking decisions — for example, the San Francisco and East Bay heatmaps, which reflect the hottest new restaurants to try right now. But here we offer four suggestions of places to check out this weekend around the Bay Area. And if you’re looking for places to grab a drink, try these lists of the best new places to grab a cocktail in San Francisco and the East Bay.

For a kouign amann moment: Starter Bakery

I’m not one for “food days” but sometimes I’m willing to make an exception. Take for instance Kouign Amann Day on June 20. While I believe the kouign amann should be celebrated every day, what I can credit this food holiday with is inspiring bakers to create some unreal pastries in honor of the occasion. Take for instance Starter Bakery’s kouign amann selection on Friday through the weekend: Along with some classic and new flavors, such as lemon blueberry, chocolate, or hazelnut, the bakery is also baking up an “XL” version that’s a 7-inch kouign amann stuffed with a chocolate chip cookie. Thursday’s kouign amann specials sold out, so head in early if you can and keep an eye on the shop’s Instagram for sellout status updates. Starter Bakery, 5804 College Avenue, Oakland

For French food by the beach: Galinette

If you’re looking for a lowkey, neighborhood spot in the Sunset, Galinette is the place to go pre- or post-beach trip. Open from morning until the evening, this new French restaurant lets you go as snacky or heavy as you want, with options including charcuterie boards and brandade on the lighter side, or heftier options like hanger steak frites and bourride. The restaurant is also encouraging patrons to put their phones away, something that perhaps we could all take a break from. No phone, French food, and good vibes by the beach? Say less. Galinette, 3560 Taraval Street, San Francisco

For a dim sum bite: Rice Roll Express

Rice roll fans would do well to pay attention to the new Rice Roll Express debuting on Saturday, June 22. Opening in San Francisco’s Chinatown at 1131 Stockton Street, it’s a restaurant almost exclusively dedicated to rice rolls. “It’s a comfort food that provides a nostalgic and sentimental value,” owner Tom Zhen told the San Francisco Examiner earlier this month. What makes this restaurant’s rice rolls superior over other dim sum spots that sell the favorite item, Zhen says, is their dedication to freshness, meaning rolls are more tender than pre-made versions. Bookmark this spot for this weekend, or later in the month, whenever the rice roll mood hits. Rice Roll Express, 1131 Stockton Street, San Francisco

For the canelé fans: The Canelé Co.

Look, not everyone is a kouign amann person. And that’s okay! For the rest of you with a sweet tooth and an outsized penchant for canelés, pop-up the Canelé Co. has your back. This relatively new pop-up features canelés made “using classic French techniques, but with a California freshness using real vegetables as our flavor inspiration,” the business explains on its Instagram page. On Saturday, June 22, the Canelé Co. is popping up at ice cream shop Garden Creamery in the Mission, featuring ube, red bell pepper, and sweet corn canelé flavors. If that wasn’t enough, the Canelé Co. will donate 10 percent of sales to supper club Deluxe Queer in celebration of Pride. The Canelé Co. at Garden Creamery runs from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 at 3566 20th Street, San Francisco.