By Mario Cortez, Food Reporter July 12, 2024 - San Francisco Chronicle
Last Saturday, inside the new 4,000-square-foot Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria location above Pier 39’s shiny carousel, a swarm of diners devoured white clam pies and Italian sausage pizzas. Co-owner Peter Cooperstein had hoped to capitalize on the holiday weekend when he opened the restaurant on July 2. Still, he was blown away by the reception.
“Every time you open a new restaurant, you’re a little nervous,” he said. “But when there’s a waitlist and everyone inside is having fun, it just feels like a rush.”
While most of Fisherman’s Wharf is in turmoil with vacancies and legal issues, Pier 39, its eastern terminus on San Francisco’s waterfront, is experiencing a restaurant resurgence this summer. Amici’s is one of three food and beverage businesses landing at the tourist entertainment center that boasts views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and the lounging sea lions that come and go. Also arriving at Pier 39 in the coming months are Santa Cruz’s expanding Humble Sea Brewing Co. and Lake Tahoe-based Fire + Ice Grill and Bar.
A surprising restaurant renaissance is underway at one of S.F.’s biggest tourist traps
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