Halal Lamb and Harissa Will Star at San Francisco’s Newest North African Restaurant Gola | Eater SF

"Opening at 819 Valencia Street in mid-to-late February, this Mediterranean restaurant called Gola focuses on Tunisian dishes and comes from Rafik Bouzidi of Union Square’s La Marsa. The name refers to a type of clay pot Tunisians use to prepare meats and stews, and Bouzidi says the menu will represent an evolution of the work done at La Marsa, drawing from both coastal and inland ingredients. Harissa is a major flavor component — Gola will make its blend in-house after an extensive pepper-drying process and by blending olive oils with nine different spices — and the menu will include Tunisian deviled eggs, halal lamb (which Bouzidi says tastes different than its non-halal counterpart), and the red snapper and shrimp stew chrieme, among other dishes. The restaurant will offer a full cocktail menu and hopes to feature Tunisian wine as sourcing allows; when asked to recommend a single dish Bouzidi refuses to be boxed in, advising guests to "close your eyes and point at the menu." - Paolo Bicchieri