Barrio Chino
Serving up classic Asian dishes influenced by the flavors of Mexico, Barrio Chino is a drinking and dining hotspot located in the popular Marina District. Restaurateur and Executive Chef Pete Mrabe, who is well-known for his concepts Chubby Noodle and Don Pistos in North Beach, opened Barrio Chino in September 2021. Born and raised in San Francisco, Mrabe began cooking at a Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant in the Sunset District, eventually joined the team at Cecilia Chiang's Ghirardelli Square restaurant The Mandarin working FOH and BOH, and has held roles in New York at Momofuku and with Danny Meyer, and was on the management team at Betelnut in San Francisco before opening his first restaurant Don Pistos in 2009. Barrio Chino, whose namesake means Chinatown, features appetizers that range from Egg Drop and Wonton Soup, Minced Chicken Lettuce Cups, Potstickers and Egg Rolls, dishes from the Wok, and Rice and Noodles, like the ever-popular Garlic Noodles from Chubby Noodle. Other "Chef Favorites" include Mexicali dishes inspired by Mrabe's experience with food in the border towns of Baja, California to the Yucatan peninsula over the last 10+ years, and prides himself on using fresh and seasonal ingredients in every dish. Most recently, in 2018 Mrabe opened Chubby Noodle Cabo in response to the requests he received for quality Asian food in Mexico, and he blends his knowledge of both cuisines at Barrio Chino. The cocktail menu, created by Bar Director Rafael Cervantes formerly of One Market who has also managed the bar program at Chubby Noodle and Don Pistos, pays homage to classics with a unique twist, like the Spicy Tamarind Margarita, Guava Mule, and Matcha Highball. The space, which was formerly Don Pistos Tequila Bar, has been revamped to create a more secluded dining area with comfortable seating away from the lounge area, which offers a bar and high-top cocktail tables. Mrabe commissioned a Zapopan-native interior designer, architect, and artist named Gilo, who has painted murals in and around Culican, Sinaloa, for the colorful murals in the restaurant that are inspired by Asian and Mexican culture and features a cactus as the heart of Mexico shining over the world. Barrio Chino also offers delivery and pick-up.