WIDELY POPULAR PIZZA POP-UP SET TO OPEN FIRST RESTAURANT IN SAN FRANCISCO

After more than a year of hosting pop-ups at some of the hippest bars and restaurants in the city, Jules pizzeria is ready to put down roots in San Francisco.

Max Blachman-Gentile, chef-owner of Jules, signed a lease at 237 Fillmore St. in SF’s Lower Haight neighborhood earlier this month and anticipates opening his first restaurant by early February 2025. WhatNowSF first reported the forthcoming opening.

“The pop-ups have been great and very successful for us, but I am really excited to be in my own space and just do a lot more with the menu,” said Blachman-Gentile, who has served his pizzas at Buddy and Loquat. Next month, Jules is collaborating with Michelin-starred Osito.

Known for New York-style pizza with a New Haven and California twist, Jules will offer six rotating pizza options, including some of Blachman-Gentile’s most popular pies like the Spicy Ronny, enhanced with Calabrian chili, and an earthy mushroom pizza. Customers will also find options like the Field Dream pizza made with charred corn, Thai basil, lime and shrimp dust. Additionally, Blachman-Gentile hopes also to add a selection of rotating entrees like whole fish, chicken parmesan, chicken Caesar wraps and fresh Altamura loaves — a traditional Italian sourdough with a sweet and nutty flavor. Moreover, he plans to feature weekly subs like classic mortadella sandwiches.

Jules will move inside the former Iza Ramen space, which closed in early May. Blachman-Gentile is excited to keep the former Japanese restaurant's wooden panels along the walls and repurpose the open kitchen space so his guests can watch the pizza-making process. Blachman-Gentile hopes that Jules will offer locals an energetic dining experience with pizza party vibes.  

“Nostalgia is one of the most important things for restaurants,” he said. “With pizza, you want to reference a little bit of that Americana nostalgia because I think everyone grew up, to some extent, having pizza with their family or after soccer games.”  

Opening a restaurant has been a long dream for Blachman-Gentile, who started his culinary career at age 16 when he staged at former Michelin-starred restaurant Gary Danko. While his most recent position was culinary director of Tartine Bakery, Blachman-Gentile’s career took him through the kitchens of popular pizza restaurants that include La Morra Pizzeria in Los Angeles, Emmy Squared in New York and Brooklyn restaurants Emily and Roberta’s. Blachman-Gentile's stint at Roberta's was especially influential for his longing to open a pizzeria due to its stellar food offerings set in a fun, casual atmosphere. With an extensive knowledge of bread making and pizza preparation under his belt, launching Jules last August was a no-brainer.

“In the last two years I decided pizza was the best option for me, partly because I love it and I can eat pizza every day," he said.

2024-09-18T16:10:28Z dg43tfdfdgfd