Popi’s Oysterette

Hop in, water’s fine.

 

Stepping inside Popi’s Oysterette evokes a family reunion dinner setting that’s right on the Northern California coastline – think crashing waves, shimmering reflected daylight, twilight, and sandy boulders traversed in dress shoes. Founders of the popular Tacolicious restaurants spun off to create a jewel-box seafood restaurant for Top Chef alum and local “Seafood Queen” Melissa Perfit (Bar Crudo, Sister) – the buzzy corner spot slings the best oysters, seafood and crisp wines our region has to offer.

Studio Anand Sheth was engaged as a design partner and architect, processing the necessary agency reviews while developing a deep and strategic palette of seaside-inspired elements. A custom blue terrazzo by Concrete Collaborative clads dining counters providing a vibrant backdrop to the Oysterette’s offerings. Azure-toned zellige tiles stack below and create an organized grid of natural texture – a fishing net in the ocean, if you will. Precious sconce lighting from Cedar and Moss are the pearls, too on-the-nose? Wait till you see the restroom; wrapped in doug fir panels that reference the exposed ceiling structure and new furnishings, a new pocket door allows ADA access and satisfying entry sequence to sunshiney ceramic tiles from Zia and fluid wallpaper depicting swimmers.

Hand-painted signage by Manny Fabregas adorns the exterior and hearkens back to the historic fish markets of the Marina District. The resulting experience is playful, direct, and memorable – just like the restaurant’s namesake “Popi” (a familial nickname for grandfather).

 
 

Project Recognition

The Team

Popi’s Oysterette (Mike Barrow, Joe Hargrave, Melissa Perfit), Designed by Studio Anand Sheth, Photographed by Nicholas V. Ruiz.