Why restaurants along the Peninsula are increasingly going beige
For the most part, omakase restaurants have a similar interior design – minimalistic, neutral and unfussy with various wood textures. It’s quite a different vibe from, say, a hipster cafe with exposed brick walls and ample greenery.
But this year, that interior design style I often associate with omakase has been appearing all along the Peninsula with various new openings.
In June, I dined at the recently opened Horsefeather in Town & Country and was shocked at how different it looked from its San Francisco counterpart. There was no funky blue-textured floor, blue-and-gold paneled wall or Horsefeather’s signature abundance of greenery. Instead of a fun, high-energy bar vibe, it felt like a quaint omakase restaurant, with practically no color or decor.
That same month, I dined on opening night at Yeobo, Darling in Menlo Park, and again was struck by how minimalist the design is. There are no photos or artwork on the walls, and every aspect of the restaurant is a neutral color.
Then in October, I went to dinner at Menlo Park’s Café Vivant, and again, there was no color or art on the walls. The only semblance of decor were wooden poles hanging in a checkerboard pattern from the ceiling. It felt very sterile.
This got me thinking: Why are restaurants going so minimalist? This week, Edwina Dueñas sought to answer this question and talked with owners of Peninsula eateries that have a minimalist aesthetic.
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
‘Everything you need and nothing you don’t’: Here’s why many new Peninsula restaurants are going minimalist
A string of new eateries have opened on the Peninsula boasting minimalist-inspired design in addition to compelling cuisine.
Japanese fine dining lands in Portola Valley, a longtime San Mateo Italian restaurant closes and an upcoming holiday market
- Hibari, a kappo-style omakase restaurant, recently opened at Portola Valley’s Ladera Country Shopper.
- Devil’s Canyon is hosting a holiday market Friday from 4-8 p.m. with 20 local artisans, food trucks, live music and, of course, beer.
- After 11 years in San Mateo, Italian restaurant Vespucci will permanently close Dec. 31.
- San Francisco-based Italian restaurant Roma Antica is coming to downtown San Mateo.
- The Santa Clara City Library is hosting a Food, Culture, and You: Cooking Demo and Writing Workshop Jan. 17 from 1-3 p.m.
- The New York Times has declared the kalbi kal guksu at Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup in San Mateo among the best dishes its staff ate in 2025.
Brunch at Hula Hoops
If the holiday cheer is getting to be a bit much this time of year, there’s a tropical escape in South San Francisco that’ll make you feel like you’re on a summery island.
Established in 2018, Hula Hoops is the only tiki-themed restaurant along the Peninsula – and it’s a vibe. The inside is covered in tchotchkes (pineapple skulls, carved wooden fish, tiki statutes, etc.), a neon sign depicts the restaurant’s mascot, a hula dancer holding a basketball, and various sports play on the flat-screen TVs.
I recently sat at the bar for brunch, which is served until 3 p.m., and had a fantastic experience. The first thing that caught my eye was the $20 bottomless mimosa. I asked the bartender about it, and he offered an even better deal: Bypass the 90-minute time limit by buying a $20 bottle of Barefoot Bubbly brut cuvee and he’d provide complimentary orange, pineapple or guava juice for me to make my own mimosa.
The menu features a range of Hawaiian plates (think loco moco, musubi and poke) and Filipino dishes (such as sisig-topped loaded tater tots, bibingka cornbread and Silog breakfast), as well as an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu (tofu musubi, an “ahi” poke bowl, Impossible sisig and more).
The Spam and longanisa musubi was well-seasoned and filling ($12). The creamy avocado and sweet tamago balanced out the rich saltiness of the Spam and longanissa.
The ube pancakes were the brightest purple I’ve ever seen ($20). Light, pillowy and fluffy, these purple cakes were smothered in a bright purple ube sauce for an extra punch of ube flavor. Served with fresh berries, this was a real treat that surprisingly was not too sweet.
Hula Hoops, 278 Westborough Blvd. #203, South San Francisco; 650-952-3255, Instagram: @hulahoopssf. Open Monday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 3-8 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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