Marlena, the Michelin-starred Bernal Heights restaurant known for its seasonal tasting menus, reopened on September 26th, following an interior redesign from M. Chad Kellogg of architecture and design studio AMLGM. Before returning to their newly renovated space, they also closed their temporary pop-up, “Summer Camp at Hotel Zeppelin” on September 17th.
Husband-and-wife team of chefs David Fisher and Serena Chow Fisher opened Marlena with takeout only in August 2020. Due to the pandemic, the restaurant was not able to undergo a comprehensive remodel before it began welcoming guests for indoor dining. Despite having to weather the ever-changing COVID-19 regulations, the team built great momentum. Michelin awarded them their first star in September 2021.
The 110 year-old Edwardian building that houses the restaurant needed an update. “Our objective was to create an environment that would melt away, allowing the diner’s focus to fall naturally on the food,” says Chad in a statement.
As menu offerings change regularly in response to the seasons, diners can explore new culinary offerings each time they visit. Marlena continues to offer their $65 four-course tasting menu. Highlights include a hamachi crudo, garnished with apple vinegar, green peppercorns, and sour gherkins, and raviolini with smoked rosa bianca eggplant, Early Girl tomatoes, and baby leeks, the grilled beef cheeks with an accompaniment of beef sausage, honey nut squash, broccoli di ciccio and the kabocha squash “cheesecake” for dessert.
The team has also introduced a new set of supplements to the menu, such as a series of bites inspired by their early days of offering picnic baskets to enjoy at neighboring Precita Park. This “picnic” consists of a “fig newton” with duck liver mousse, an osetra caviar croustade, and a duck terrine. Diners can also opt in for a Liberty Ducks aged duck breast glazed with a local honey lacquer and served with legumes and sunchokes.
“We always wanted our guests to feel like they were stepping into our home when they dined with us at Marlena. The redesign is meant to keep that essential warmth and welcome, while also providing a backdrop that is more in line with the type of food we serve,” reflects Serena.
Marlena is located at 300 Precita Avenue, San Francisco, 94110 and is open Sunday – Thursday: 5:00 – 9:00pm | Friday – Saturday: 5:00 – 10:00pm.
