Rich Table chefs expand brand with a California bistro

RT Bistro in San Francisco is inspired by Zuni Café and farmers markets.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Husband-and-wife chefs Evan and Sarah Rich have opened a new restaurant, RT Bistro, next door to their acclaimed Rich Table in San Francisco's Hayes Valley neighborhood. The new 37-seat bistro is inspired by the longevity and farm-to-table ethos of nearby Zuni Café, as well as the couple's love of French cuisine and California's bountiful produce.

Why it matters

The opening of RT Bistro marks the expansion of the Rich Table brand, which has already found success with its flagship restaurant and RT Rotisserie. The new bistro represents the chefs' commitment to serving consistently delicious, market-driven fare in a casual neighborhood setting, much like the iconic Zuni Café.

The details

RT Bistro's menu features an array of comforting and complex dishes that showcase fresh fruits, vegetables, and other local ingredients. Starters include a subtly fennel-infused bread and an endive 'Caesar' salad with crisp Shinko pears. Mains range from a roasted cauliflower dish with a kale and apple curry to decadent desserts like a warm chocolate cake and an ice box pie with Meyer lemon curd. The Riches have said they were inspired by the longevity and farm-to-table approach of nearby Zuni Café, as well as their own backgrounds in French cuisine.

  • Rich Table opened in 2012.
  • RT Rotisserie, the Riches' more casual restaurant, opened prior to RT Bistro.
  • RT Bistro opened in January 2026.

The players

Evan Rich

Co-owner and chef of Rich Table, RT Rotisserie, and RT Bistro.

Sarah Rich

Co-owner and chef of Rich Table, RT Rotisserie, and RT Bistro.

Judy Rodgers

The late chef and owner of Zuni Café, which has been a longtime source of inspiration for the Riches.

Alice Waters

Chef and owner of Chez Panisse, who Judy Rodgers worked for before opening Zuni Café.

Jacques Pépin

French chef who was a dean at the French Culinary Institute when Sarah Rich studied there.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Before Judy Rodgers passed away, she came in and ate at Rich Table. You're sitting there starstruck. We want to be an institution like them, and we want to do what they've done for San Francisco as well.”

— Evan Rich, Co-owner and chef (eastbayexpress.com)

“I know all the farmers and what they grow, and I'm still in awe of just how much variety there is. If you take yourself seriously as a chef, you should be going to the markets and using those amazing products.”

— Sarah Rich, Co-owner and chef (eastbayexpress.com)

“We definitely did not want to do a French bistro, but we love that atmosphere. One of the first things we do whenever we go to New York is to eat at Balthazar.”

— Evan Rich, Co-owner and chef (eastbayexpress.com)

What’s next

The Riches plan to continue expanding their restaurant empire, with potential future openings of additional RT Bistro or RT Rotisserie locations in the Bay Area.

The takeaway

The success of Rich Table and the Riches' new RT Bistro demonstrates that mission-driven, farm-to-table restaurants can thrive in San Francisco's competitive dining landscape by offering consistently excellent food and service, as well as a welcoming neighborhood vibe inspired by iconic establishments like Zuni Café.