13 Postcards
Billingsgate, a chic seafood market and café in Noe Valley, offers fresh catches, delectable crudos, and half-off oysters during their lively Happy Hour.
"This Noe Valley fish market is less wholesale fish seller and more fancy fish grocery store à la Bi-Rite (with plenty of seating). Their New England-style chowder is served in three different sizes, ranging from a tiny 8oz cup to a giant 32oz bowl, and comes with a few slices of crispy, toasted bread that are made for chowder-dipping. It’s among the creamiest on the list and has enough bacon to qualify as a meat dish. And while you’re here, get the lobster salad on brioche. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez
"We hit up Billingsgate whenever we want a quick and casual meal that’s all about high-quality fish. The counter-service seafood market in Noe Valley doubling as a laidback cafe has a rotating menu made up mostly of seafood salads, oysters, and raw fish appetizers. Our go-to is the kampachi crudo coated in olive oil and topped with serrano peppers, bits of pomelo, and tarragon, and the toast piled with smoked salmon. They also have a weekday Happy Hour with half-off oysters and cava, which is our foolproof way to a successful Tuesday afternoon." - lani conway, julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez
"When: Tuesday-Friday, 3-5pm The neighborhood seafood market in Noe Valley doubles as a casual, counter-service restaurant, and one that can fulfill any late afternoon desire for shellfish or fantastic clam chowder. Every Tuesday through Friday from 3-5pm, oysters by the half dozen and glasses of cava are half off, which is as good an excuse as any to block off an "appointment" on your calendar and get here for a late-day snack." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez
"This multi-hyphenate spot functions as a Noe Valley seafood market and a sit-down cafe—and also, a Happy Hour destination. On weekdays, Billingsgate offers half-off freshly shucked oysters and glasses of cava. Soak in the naturally lit space or people watch out on the sidewalk, and maybe pick up a tray of uni, whole Dungeness crabs, or olives and almonds on your way out. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez
"We hit up Billingsgate whenever we want a quick and casual meal that’s all about high-quality fish. The counter-service seafood market in Noe Valley doubles as a laidback cafe, with a rotating menu made up mostly of seafood salads, oysters, and raw bar appetizers. Our go-to is the lemony lobster salad piled high on toasted brioche, or the simply dressed poke over rice. They also have a weekday Happy Hour with half-off oysters and cava, which is a foolproof path to a successful Tuesday afternoon. Food Rundown Maine Lobster Seafood Salad This seafood salad—basically an open-faced lobster roll that you can eat with a fork and knife—is creamy with a zing of lemon, and served atop a perfectly toasted slice of brioche. It’s a top contender for your next not-so-casual lunch. photo credit: Julia Chen Clam Chowder There are three sizes available, from a regular cup to a 32-ounce bowl big enough to swim in. The bacon bits really make this super-creamy, briny soup sing, and we appreciate the buttered and grilled slices of baguette on the side. photo credit: Julia Chen Billingsgate Poke It’s pretty simple: just pick your fish of choice, opt for soy or ginger-scallion (our favorite) dressing, and wait for the freshest poke bowl in Noe Valley to come to you." - Julia Chen
