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The San Francisco Frontier | Est. 2025
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Moonchild Is Bringing Wine-Forward Vibes to the Embarcadero This Fall

Lulu California Bistro

The legendary Fog City Diner may have closed its doors nearly a year ago, but the iconic Embarcadero space at 1300 Battery Street is about to get a serious glow-up. Enter Moonchild, a new wine-forward California bistro that’s poised to become your new favorite spot for seasonal Northern California cuisine and seriously good wine.

The project is being helmed by Floyd Nunn and Angelyne Tompkins, a husband-and-wife team who’ve collectively spent over a decade making moves in Bay Area hospitality. Nunn most recently worked as chef de cuisine at Eight Tables, the upscale Chinese fine-dining spot inside China Live, and has previous experience at Michelin-starred restaurants Quince and Benu. Meanwhile, Tompkins spent eight years as hospitality manager at Scribe Winery in Sonoma, bringing serious wine expertise to the table. This is their first restaurant venture together, and honestly, the pedigree is impressive.

Moonchild’s concept is all about letting fresh, seasonal ingredients shine. Expect the menu to heavily feature Northern California produce and seafood when the restaurant opens in late 2026. The nearly 4,000-square-foot space comes with some major perks: waterfront views that’ll make your dinner photos absolutely gorgeous, a full liquor license, and a recent $1.8 million renovation. Plus, the owners are inheriting equipment and decor from Fog City Diner, including artwork, plates, and even a panini grill.

Here’s the cherry on top, thanks to their lease with the Port of San Francisco, their first year of rent is completely waived. After that, they’ll pay fixed base rent plus a percentage of sales over $3 million. It’s a solid deal that reflects the Port’s commitment to bringing quality dining back to the waterfront.

The building itself has serious history. Before Fog City Diner opened in 1985, the space served as a railroad facility and cafeteria back in the early 20th century. The diner became legendary in its own right, even serving as a filming location for the 1993 dark comedy “So I Married an Axe Murderer” with Mike Myers. In its final 12 years, it dropped “Diner” from its name but remained a beloved part of SF’s food scene.

Moonchild is arriving at the perfect moment. The northern waterfront is experiencing a serious culinary renaissance right now. The Ferry Building has been recruiting major Bay Area talent, including chef Alex Hong’s Arquet (which took over the former Slanted Door space), plus new spots from the teams behind A16 and Nopa. French restaurant Bon Delire brought Parisian vibes to Pier 3 in 2024, and competition for Pier 7’s vacant Waterfront Restaurant space is heating up.

With Nunn and Tompkins’ experience and vision, Moonchild looks set to become a major player in this food-and-beverage boom. Mark your calendars for fall or winter 2026.

AUTHOR: kg

SOURCE: SF Standard

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