New San Francisco Restaurant to Fuse Mexican and Turkish Cuisines
What happened
Married chefs Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz are set to open a new restaurant in San Francisco that will feature a fusion of Mexican and Turkish cuisines. The concept is inspired by the chefs' respective cultural heritages and will add a unique culinary offering to the city's dining scene.
Why it matters
- The new restaurant, named Maria Isabel, will be located at 500 Presidio Ave., the former site of Ella's American Kitchen. - While the couple's current restaurant, Dalida, and their previous pop-up, Istanbul Modern, focus on Sayat's Turkish and Eastern Mediterranean heritage, Maria Isabel will showcase the contemporary Mexican cuisine of Laura's upbringing in Guerrero, Mexico. - The menu will trace Laura's culinary journey from Mexico's Pacific coast to Northern California, featuring dishes like a ceviche acapulqueño made with local shrimp and Mexican chiles from Full Belly Farm. - The chefs have a history of successful ventures, including their nationally acclaimed restaurant Dalida, which opened in 2023 and was named one of Esquire's Best New Restaurants in America. - Before opening their own restaurants, both chefs honed their skills in world-renowned kitchens; Laura worked at Saison, Mugaritz, and Eleven Madison Park, while Sayat's experience includes Le Bernardin and Blue Hill at Stone Barns. - The design of the 60-seat restaurant will feature two distinct sections: a bright, lively area with an open kitchen and a darker, "sultry" side with a standing bar. - The couple first gained a loyal following in San Francisco with their popular pop-up, Istanbul Modern SF, before opening their first restaurant, Noosh, in 2019. - Laura Ozyilmaz recently competed on Season 21 of Top Chef, where she made it to the final four.
Key numbers
- - The new restaurant, named Maria Isabel, will be located at 500 Presidio Ave., the former site of Ella's American Kitchen.
- The chefs have a history of successful ventures, including their nationally acclaimed restaurant Dalida, which opened in 2023 and was named one of Esquire's Best New Restaurants in America.
- The design of the 60-seat restaurant will feature two distinct sections: a bright, lively area with an open kitchen and a darker, "sultry" side with a standing bar.
- The couple first gained a loyal following in San Francisco with their popular pop-up, Istanbul Modern SF, before opening their first restaurant, Noosh, in 2019.
What happens next
- The new restaurant, named Maria Isabel, will be located at 500 Presidio Ave., the former site of Ella's American Kitchen.
- While the couple's current restaurant, Dalida, and their previous pop-up, Istanbul Modern, focus on Sayat's Turkish and Eastern Mediterranean heritage, Maria Isabel will showcase the contemporary Mexican cuisine of Laura's upbringing in Guerrero, Mexico.
- The menu will trace Laura's culinary journey from Mexico's Pacific coast to Northern California, featuring dishes like a ceviche acapulqueño made with local shrimp and Mexican chiles from Full Belly Farm.
Quick answers
What happened in New San Francisco Restaurant to Fuse Mexican and Turkish Cuisines?
Married chefs Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz are set to open a new restaurant in San Francisco that will feature a fusion of Mexican and Turkish cuisines. The concept is inspired by the chefs' respective cultural heritages and will add a unique culinary offering to the city's dining scene.
Why does New San Francisco Restaurant to Fuse Mexican and Turkish Cuisines matter?
The new restaurant, named Maria Isabel, will be located at 500 Presidio Ave., the former site of Ella's American Kitchen. While the couple's current restaurant, Dalida, and their previous pop-up, Istanbul Modern, focus on Sayat's Turkish and Eastern Mediterranean heritage, Maria Isabel will showcase the contemporary Mexican cuisine of Laura's upbringing in Guerrero, Mexico. The menu will trace Laura's culinary journey from Mexico's Pacific coast to Northern California, featuring dishes like a ceviche acapulqueño made with local shrimp and Mexican chiles from Full Belly Farm. The chefs have a history of successful ventures, including their nationally acclaimed restaurant Dalida, which opened in 2023 and was named one of Esquire's Best New Restaurants in America. Before opening their own restaurants, both chefs honed their skills in world-renowned kitchens; Laura worked at Saison, Mugaritz, and Eleven Madison Park, while Sayat's experience includes Le Bernardin and Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The design of the 60-seat restaurant will feature two distinct sections: a bright, lively area with an open kitchen and a darker, "sultry" side with a standing bar. The couple first gained a loyal following in San Francisco with their popular pop-up, Istanbul Modern SF, before opening their first restaurant, Noosh, in 2019. Laura Ozyilmaz recently competed on Season 21 of Top Chef, where she made it to the final four.
