The Bold Italic’s 2020 Awards

This article is part of The Bold Italic’s 2020 Awards, which celebrate the Bay Area’s small businesses and local residents who have hustled and shown creativity throughout 2020. See all the award winners here.

If you know what it means to miss New Orleans and you live in San Francisco, your life got a lot better in 2020 thanks to Voodoo Love, a Black woman–owned creole and Cajun restaurant that we are drooling over.

Chef / Owner Eva Morris technically opened this restaurant in the fall of 2019, but they were forced to move locations several times and officially reopened at 1710 Mission Street in 2020.

Since then, the team has adapted, shifted, and somehow made it work as a brand-new business in a pandemic.

We at The Bold Italic were excited to include “Best New Restaurant” in our 2020 Awards to celebrate the entrepreneurs who not only managed a business but also started one in 2020. We were so excited that our readers selected Voodoo Love as the winner of this category, especially because it appears to be completely underrated.

The restaurant has gone without a ton of media attention—most of Voodoo Love’s promotion comes through social media—but it has already built a loyal following, clearly demonstrated in its win here by people’s choice. And what’s not to be a fan of? The fried chicken is crisp perfection. The smoked gouda mac and cheese is everything. The seafood roll is a buttery roll stuffed full of plump shrimp and lobster.

At a time when other NOLA-inspired businesses have shuttered, we are excited to see a creole-focused and Black woman–owned business thrive. We caught up with managing partner Eva Morris to congratulate her on Voodoo Love’s win and ask about their plans for 2021.

TBI: How have you managed to stay afloat this year?
Eva Morris:
It’s funny, because we actually drowned a few times this year. From dealing with building owners who only wanted to give us a month-to-month lease to never being able to apply for the PPP loan, everything has been by the grace of our community. We moved four times during the pandemic, with sales completely dropping.

Like everyone else, we had to adjust, and even more quickly as business owners or our dreams would die. Honestly, our love, creativity, and community kept us afloat, and it’s been really great to see how we all show up for each other when needed!

How are you holding up now, heading into another month of shelter in place?
We found our forever home at 1710 Mission Street—our last move for at least a few years. So we are going to take shelter in place by storm, creating meals for the needy, as well as having constant deals for our loyal following and supporters. We are extending our luck to everyone else.

What are your hopes for 2021?
2021, please don’t suck as much as 2020. Just suck less. And be a better year for everyone.

How can people help support your business?
People can support Voodoo Love by placing orders online, buying gift cards, donating, even sharing our business on social media or by word of mouth. We appreciate it all!

Other nominees for Best New Restaurant in San Francisco 2020

1. Mamahuhu

Opened in the Inner Richmond in January 2020, Mamahuhu had only a few weeks of “normal” operation before everything got turned on its head. Luckily, takeout and delivery were always part of the plan but hadn’t started yet when shelter-in-place orders hit.

The shutdown had this new business switching gears quickly. “It’s been a strange year, to say the least,” the Mamahuhu team wrote to TBI. “We’ve been making constant changes to what we’re doing and have had our share of ups and downs, but we’ve been able to stay open the whole time doing delivery and like to think that we’ve grown and improved over the course of the year in doing that.”

2. Lost Resort

Lost Resort opened mid-pandemic in the Mission space that formerly housed dive bar Jay’n Bee Club. The nautical-themed bar had planned to open in May, but that was pushed to June 30. The bar embraced the pandemic reality, using its plentiful and vibrant outdoor patio to offer its signature cocktails, smash burgers, and plates like a low-country boil with mussels or andouille sausage and potatoes.

“Our patio allowed us to ensure both customers and staff were safe and comfortable but also provided a fun and laid-back escape from a very tough reality. The most rewarding part of this year has been providing people a much-needed sense of normality in a Covid-safe way,” says owner Brad Burt, who thanks his team for sticking with him.

Burt’s hope for 2021? “That we will get a second shot at opening — a real grand-opening party—when guests will finally get to pony up to the handsome bar that no one has been able to enjoy yet, gaze at the beautiful fish tank, play a game of pool, sling drinks with friends in the banquette.“ For now, please consider supporting Lost Resort by purchasing gift cards or merchandise. “Our hats and shirts are pretty fire. I’ll keep everyone updated via Instagram,” Burt says.

3. Palm City

Palm City is a neighborhood spot in the Outer Sunset co-owned by Dennis Cantwell and Monica Wong, veterans of Zuni Café, A16, and Nopa. The couple faced zoning challenges on top of a pandemic to make their business a reality, but they have worked to make it through, offering a limited delicious takeout menu and a slew of stellar wines. (Cantwell used to be the wine director at Nopa.)

Cantwell says business has been extremely tough. “It’s been pretty depressing seeing the landscape of the industry change so drastically,” he says. “Unless you’re ‘in it,’ I don’t think a lot of people really get it. Honestly, the only thing getting us out of bed in the morning is the staff that we’re finally able to pay and the people in the neighborhood. They have been so supportive, it’s brought us to tears a few times.” You can support Palm City by ordering take-out and being patient “We got a Yelp review that said the food was really delicious but not worth the wait. It’s a pandemic and we haven’t even taken a paycheck!”

Ordering begins at 10 a.m. for pickup times between 12:30 and 1:00, with everything from dinner kits to hoagies available. You can also walk up for the sandwiches at 12:30.Don’t miss the wine selection, and make sure to check out Palm City’s wine club.

4. Marlena

The North Slope of Bernal Heights gained a new gem in mid-August in the spot that used to house Hillside Supper Club. The restaurant comes from a married duo who have both worked at Michelin-starred restaurants: Chef David Fisher has worked at Pearl and Ash, Bird Dog in Palo Alto, and Sorrel in San Francisco (one Michelin star). Pastry chef Serena Chow was previously at Eleven Madison Park (three Michelin stars), as well Bird Dog and Backhaus in San Mateo.

To adapt to the pandemic, Marlena offered an affordable four-course tasting menu for outdoor tables, as well as picnic baskets complete with the basket, blanket, utensils and glassware during the day, perfect for taking to the park across the street.

Now they’re back to takeout that’s more casual and affordable. “Just like everyone else, we’re just doing everything we can to keep our doors open, trying absolutely anything and everything, and making the best out of a tough situation. We’re really fortunate that the Bernal Heights neighborhood has been super supportive, and it’s been pretty fun to showcase the range of what we can present to our guests,” Chow Fisher says.

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