New Filipino Restaurnat Sarap Shop Opens in San Francisco’s SoMa Neighborhood | Eater SF

"I watched the purple-and-blue trailer that became Sarap Shop grow from a 2017 Filipino food truck into a permanent SoMa restaurant at 171 Stillman Street. Founded by Kristen Brillantes and JP Reyes (joined by COO James Brillantes), the operation became a regular at Parklab Gardens and a mainstay at the monthly Undiscovered SF market, and Brillantes was recognized by the Filipina Women’s Network Thought Leader as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World. The tiny former Goat Hill Pizza outpost has a few indoor seats and chipper, colorful murals, and it will also support retail production of the company’s sauces while partnering with Kultivate Labs to train and support would‑be entrepreneurs. Much of the menu is gluten‑free and vegan, with noodles, rice bowls, sandwiches, drinks, and bottles of sauce — fans rave about the plant‑based lumpia stuffed with Impossible “meat” by the platter and ramikens of Super Sarap Sauce that flow like wine; the plant‑based Halo Halo Milk Tea has a lovely taro subtle sweetness and a chewy texture, almost like boba tea with gummies instead of tapioca pearls; and the lechon sisig carbonara pasta (spaghetti noodles, pork belly sisig, longanisa bacon bits, carbonara sauce, and Parmesan) reflects the team’s daily experimentation. I can order ahead or drop by, and the business already has a Chase Center booth for games and concerts; a planned opening at Saluhall is not going ahead, and the Stilman Street space is set for a grand opening at the end of March and is now open Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m." - Paolo Bicchieri