Get ready for that famous shaobing sandwich and spicy coconut laksa all the time.
Chef-owners Marie Chia and Shane Stanbridge of the wildly popular Chinese-Singaporean and sometimes Cali-Italian pop up S+M Vegan have signed a lease for their first brick and mortar restaurant, Lion Dance Cafe.
The vegan restaurant will be located at 380 17th Street in the former Liba Falafel space that closed a few weeks ago in the Dimond District. “We dealt directly with Gail (owner of Liba) and are honored to perpetuate her legacy of cooking vibrant veggie dishes in that space,” Chia said via email. They are aiming for a September opening.
Lion Dance Cafe is the name of the Singapore-centric pop ups the duo has been running for the past several years at Eli’s Mile High Club and Tacos Oscar. The restaurant will begin as takeout only until Alameda County health officials give the green light for indoor dining.
Chia says the menu will be “a mix of hits and rotating dishes” like their ever-changing sandwich made on our housemade sesame bread, spicy coconut laksa, congee balls, prawnless crackers, sambals, almond-sesame-shallot cookies and griddled banana pandan cake. Price point will be the same too — $5-$20.
Per health ordinances, pop ups have been on hold due to COVID-19. The duo is launching a 30-day Kickstarter to help with opening costs. It goes live at noon on Aug. 4th at https://kickstarter.com/projects/cychia/lion-dance-cafe-by-s-m-vegan.
Check back for updates on opening date and more.
