
5

"I waited eagerly to try the first U.S. outpost of the Japanese chain, now open in Stonestown Galleria after being brought here by Bay Area couple Peter and Dorothy Wong who discovered the pancakes in Japan. The premium pancakes are strictly limited — 30 plates (each a stack of three) served three times daily at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. — and diners must line up for a ticket to guarantee one; when a stack is ready the chef dings a bell and a server hustles it to the table. They’re made by whipping an egg white–heavy batter until light and fluffy, piping it into molds, steaming under a metal dome, and cooking until pale golden; Gram’s signage promises these soft, fluffy pancakes “will melt in your mouth,” though they deflate quickly so photograph fast or just dive in. If you skip the premium stacks, there are many other whimsical pancakes (avocado with smoked salmon; “taco pancakes” with spicy chili and cheese; and a San Francisco–exclusive red bean matcha stack layered with matcha-tinted whipped mascarpone, azuki beans, and mochi), plus French toasts, sides like bacon and scrambled eggs, salads, soups, smoothies, prepared desserts, one BLT with avocado on rye, and beverages including tea, Sightglass coffee, beer, wine, and mimosas. Hours are currently Mon–Thu 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.–8 p.m., though hours may change during the initial opening." - Ellen Fort