San Francisco’s Groundbreaking Russian Restaurant Birch & Rye Is Closing - Eater SF
"Birch & Rye, a fine-dining Russian restaurant in San Francisco's Noe Valley, is closing after two years. Chef Anya El-Wattar aimed to introduce a sophisticated take on Russian cuisine while keeping prices affordable. The restaurant offered a menu with unique dishes like naturally leavened rye sourdough and vegan versions of traditional dishes. Despite accolades such as a James Beard semifinalist nomination and local recognition, the labor-intensive production of in-house ingredients led to the decision to close." - Lauren Saria
