Koi Palace’s Big Move, 420 New Homes in Burlingame & SF’s Newest Eats!

Good Morning Bay Area,

In today’s read:

• Koi Palace Relocating to Serramonte Center

• Draeger’s Market Set To Close In Downtown San Mateo End of Feb

• 420 Housing Units Coming To Burlingame on Rollins Road

Let’s get to it.

— Wilson Leung

New Developments & Real Estate

Koi Palace Relocating to Serramonte Center

After nearly 30 years in Daly City, Koi Palace is moving its flagship location to Serramonte Center in December. The new space will be twice the size of the original (20,000 sq. ft.) with seating for 760-800 guests, allowing for more private events and banquets. The menu will remain the same, but the new design will be more modern and upscale, featuring Chinese art, LED projections, and an interactive koi pond. The transition will happen seamlessly, with no temporary closure.

The new Koi Palace location will be next to the upcoming Korean food emporium Jagalchi, further establishing Serramonte Center as a major destination for Asian cuisine. Co-owner Willy Ng emphasized that while the restaurant's signature dishes will remain unchanged, the expanded space will enhance the overall dining experience with a more elegant ambiance and upgraded technology, such as interactive LED screens on the floor that mimic swimming koi fish. Meanwhile, Koi Palace’s other locations in Milpitas, Dublin, and Cupertino, along with Doordash Kitchens in Redwood City and San Jose, will continue operating as usual, ensuring fans of the restaurant can still enjoy their favorite dim sum.

Koi Palace has also partnered with Local Kitchens, offering a selection of dim sum at 13 locations across Northern California through February. Additionally, the restaurant is launching a wholesale dim sum business to expand its reach beyond California.

Draeger’s Market Set To Close In Downtown San Mateo End of Feb

Draeger’s Market in downtown San Mateo will permanently close at the end of February, resulting in 71 employee layoffs. The closure is part of the B Street South mixed-use development, which will bring office space, below-market-rate housing, and retail units to the area. While Draeger’s operates multiple locations across the Bay Area, the San Mateo store—open since 1997—will be the first to shut down.

Founded in 1925, Draeger’s is known for its upscale gourmet groceries, fine meats, cheeses, and wines. The San Mateo location also housed the Viognier restaurant, which once featured top chefs like Gary Danko but closed in 2020 due to declining sales. The store’s departure adds to a string of closures in downtown San Mateo, including Trag’s Market and Kathy’s Creative Kakes.

The B Street South project, approved in 2022, plans to replace Draeger’s with a new 17,000-square-foot grocery store, though the future tenant remains unknown. Construction has yet to begin, and Draeger’s is working to relocate employees to its other locations where possible.

420 Housing Units Coming To Burlingame on Rollins Road

Burlingame’s Rollins Road is set for a major transformation with a new five-story residential development at 1855-1881 Rollins Road. Approved in 2022, the project will replace aging warehouses with 420 housing units, including 35 affordable units, helping to address the city’s housing demand.

Key features include 545 parking spaces with EV charging, 230+ bicycle parking spots, landscaped courtyards, and modern architecture designed for urban living. Located near Caltrain and major transit routes, the development is expected to attract commuters while revitalizing the historically industrial corridor.

This project signals Burlingame’s shift toward mixed-use and residential growth, potentially spurring further investment in the area. Construction is already underway—stay tuned for updates on leasing opportunities and completion timelines.

Food Digest - New Restaurants

Le Soleil - San Francisco

Le Soleil is bringing its beloved Vietnamese flavors to Stonestown Galleria this February! Known for its fragrant pho, shaken beef, and crispy imperial rolls, the restaurant is expanding from its Clement Street location to a new space at 3251 20th Avenue (formerly Banana Republic).

Located alongside Marugame Udon and Mochill Mochidonut, Le Soleil will add to Stonestown’s growing food scene while maintaining its signature commitment to quality and tradition. Expect a warm, inviting atmosphere and possibly some new menu additions to reflect evolving tastes.

Stay tuned for the official opening date—San Francisco foodies won’t want to miss this! 🍜🔥

Sirene - Oakland

Oakland’s dining scene just got a major upgrade with the opening of Sirene, the highly anticipated seafood-focused follow-up to The Morris. Chef Gavin Schmidt and sommelier Paul Einbund bring their expertise across the Bay, creating a neighborhood spot that blends impeccably sourced seafood, house-made charcuterie, and even indulgent fried chicken.

The menu features a rotating Captain’s Platter of pristine shellfish, seafood charcuterie like shrimp chorizo, and a wood-fired whole petrale sole. For those craving something hearty, their crispy buttermilk fried chicken with “all the fixins” is a must. Pair it all with expertly selected wines or cocktails, and don’t skip the decadent chocolate cake with buttermilk ice cream to finish.

Gukbap - San Francisco

Do you have a craving for Korean comfort food? Sungho is a new spot in the Tenderloin that simmers its Gukbap broth for 24 hours, delivering rich, soul-warming flavors straight from the chef’s family recipes. It’s cozy, authentic, and the perfect antidote to chilly SF nights. Would you check it out for a bowl of true Korean soul?

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