Via Aurelia Restaurant Opens at Mission Rock with Tuscan-Themed Celebration

Foodies from around the Bay celebrated the grand opening of restaurant Via Aurelia on October 9 as Chef David Nayfeld and partner Matt Brewer welcomed over 300 guests to their Tuscan-inspired fine dining concept at Mission Rock. Mayor Daniel Lurie joined Giants President and CEO Larry Baer, former Giants player JT Snow, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Ned Segal and Rabbi Ryan Bauer for an evening where opera singers serenaded arrivals, setting the tone for an evening that honored Italian culture and foodways. 

The celebration showcased Via Aurelia’s signature menu offerings including dry-aged porterhouse steak carved tableside, whole wheel Red Cow Parmigiano Reggiano chipped to order and Prosciutto Toscano. Chefs Kim Alter, Evan Rich, Ryan Pollnow and Suzette Gresham joined guests in delectable sampling passed appetizers including bluefin tuna belly tartare with trout roe, tortelli Mugellani with ragù della nonna. The buffet featured Tuscan chicken liver pâté crostini, farro Garfagnana salad with porcini and roasted summer vegetables. The restaurant’s Director of Wine, Jason Alexander, presented selections from his 650-bottle list emphasizing Tuscan and Italian wines alongside California and French producers. With an interior designed by Jon de la Cruz of DLC ID and featuring vaulted ceilings and frescoed plaster patinas, the new restaurant is a welcome addition to San Francisco’s Italian dining scene.