The Long Road to Opening SF’s Newest Restaurant: Bearing West
Inside Bearing West – SF’s newest restaurant in The Outer Sunset
Article written by Guest Writer: Sean M. Sanford
When I heard that my good friend Jeff Hanford was opening a restaurant called Bearing West in the outer Sunset called Bearing West, I was plum tickled. Jeff has been slinging food and drinks in this wonderful city for decades; from the Mission’s Cha Cha Cha to Urban Putt, Jeff can tap that frothy ass behind the best of bars. Then I learned that his business partner was going to be an old friend he worked with at the Beach Chalet back in the ‘90’s, John Giuffre, previous co-owner of SOMA’s John Colins. I knew shit was about to get groovy.
They were already working on a menu for Bearing West which includes Oysters, fish tacos, and a chicken Milanese sandwich just to name a few. My mouth felt right at home near the beach, cause it was watering.
I went over to the digs when they first bought the space, out on Taraval at 33rd. That was a neighborhood I knew peripherally at best, but it looked great, with cafes, dim sum, even a sports bar right next to Jeff and John’s. Jeff then filled us in on the straight-jacket-finger-trap associations that can often accompany opening a business.
They’d acquired a space that was accessorized with years of neglect, to put it lightly, and every step forward presaged a log-roll back. So, I offered to help. Thus began my experience in a long interlude of red tape, politics, and urban warfare that resembled a season of Melrose Place mixed with The Walking Dead Grocery Games.
It was a really great experience, watching the Bearing West come together, piece by piece.
I would come out to help prepare their restaurant just about every week, offering whatever grunt work I could, having had little-to-no experience in the arts of construction. It was a fun learning experience, and plus I got to smash some shit. (Almost) Always rad. I got to know John and learn the starts and stops of opening a business, while watching the canvas of their incubation materialize. I could see a vision beginning to take shape, and so could many of the neighborhood residents.
One afternoon, I was painting the front of the building, and more than a few passersby asked me about it. I told them with a smile that it was going to be a severely kick-ass seafood restaurant and bar, with TVs, board games, and overall great vibes. I was also apt to point out that it was being built by two San Franciscan action figures; family men, fathers; a surfer, and a motorcyclist who used to skate. I was met with sincere enthusiasm by everyone who came by, telling me that they’d be sure to come out when they opened, and excited to do so.
Inside Bearing West as it was being built out.
While working on the back patio we would see some of the regulars of the bar next door, out in their smoking section. They showed support and offered any help they had at their disposal, all with voices lowered so as not to let the owner of said bar know that they were hobnobbing with whom he had decided was the enemy. I guess no new business is complete without a crotchety asshole neighbor?
They were having brainstorms on different dishes to include in their menu and I couldn’t wait. Deviled Eggs with smoked bacon and pickled jalapeños? Sign me up for a shitload please. It was long and far from easy, but Jeff and John powered through.
Myself (Sean) working on some of the Bearing West details
Going to The Soft Opening of Bearing West
My wife Candice and I were invited to a soft opening of Bearing West. I grew misty as I walked in. The building had been such a shit-heap when I first saw it, and it had been transformed into an open, welcoming space with signed surfboards, signed skateboards (Steve Caballero yo!), incredible sea life photography, art, and a mellowed-out vibe.
Everyone was so happy for Jeff and John as they worked the bar while waitresses went around setting down food for everyone to share and enjoy. We got to try a lot of the menu and it was fresh, scrumptious, and inspired more than a few requests for MORE. I had some of their Clam Chowder followed by a cup of Corn Chowder, each sparring for Best Ever. We also shared some chicken fingers, deep fried, that came with Ranch. You like Oysters? They’ve got a grip on the half-shell. Or maybe you prefer mussels? Yup. In an herbed and buttery garlic sauce. Or steamer clams with a white wine chili sauce. Mmmmm hmmmm.
“We want it to be all about seafood. What people would expect for some classic San Francisco stuff, like steamers, oysters on the half-shell, clam chowder, shrimp Louie. We’re also getting more innovative as we go, adding stuff like the fish tacos, the ceviche. Shaping our menu,” says co-owner John Giuffre.
I’ve since returned for more of their grub, like the fish and chips with a pickled jalapeño tartar. I dream of those even now as I write. I plan to make it a regular stop on my way home from SFSU, and if I’m not hungry I’ll have another one of their expertly crafted cocktails, like a Boat Derby or a Sicillian Sour. Maybe I’ll be in the mood for one of their local beers, like a Bare Bottle Brewery or a Laughing Monk. Either way, color me stoked.
The clam chowder is amazing at Bearing West
I’m incredibly excited to see the final product of so much footslog. I know that Bearing West is going to be a welcome and celebrated addition to that friendly neighborhood, offering a comfortable bar with expert service, some of the best bartenders in town serving tasty drinks, freshly made seafood, land animals and vegetarian fare, boob tubes to watch the Giants, Niners, and Mavericks, and shuffleboard to play between innings and waves.
I highly recommend dinner at Bearing West for mouth-watering seafood and a romp with their Boardroom. And when you see the expertly pigmented panels out front, you can credit me for the paint job…that I did before someone who knows how to paint applied another coat.
I excitedly recommend Bearing West, where the land ends and the excitement begins.
What’s next for Bearing West?
“We may try to do some shuffleboard tournaments in the future. But first we’re focusing on getting stuff settled, happy hour is going to be the next immediate focus, then I believe we’re gonna work on brunches, then lunches. Then we’ll start getting into some of the other fun stuff like the shuffleboard tournament. You know, good stuff like a chicken-wings night, some other stuff early in the week, different specials nights. We just want to make sure we get dialed in and make sure we’re, you know, kicking ass at what we do. Get that right for at least three months, then check out what hits. Just go with it,” says co-owner John Giuffre.
“There’s talk about folks in the surf community, like Surf Rider Foundation, about doing some stuff with us. Events and whatnot. Overall the neighborhood has shown that they’re stoked we’re here,” says co-owner Jeff Hanford.
Co-owner of Bearing West John Giuffre behind the bar
Where is Bearing West?
Bearing West
2325 Taraval Street
San Francisco CA 94116
They’re open Tuesday – Sunday, 4pm – 10pm
https://www.bearingwestsf.com/
@bearingwestsf for Instagram
note: all images are from Sean Sanford unless otherwise noted
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