One of the Bay Area's most celebrated chefs is making a triumphant return to San Francisco. Christopher Kostow, who earned three Michelin stars at The Restaurant at Meadowood before its tragic loss in the 2020 Glass Fire, is opening the third location of his modern Jewish deli, Loveski, in the heart of Jackson Square this March.
The new location will take over the Postscript space at the corner of Pacific and Montgomery, marking a full-circle moment for Kostow, who began his culinary career as a line cook in the same neighborhood over two decades ago.
"In 2002, when I was 25, I had the good fortune of working around the corner from here," Kostow recalls with a smile. "I didn't enjoy that work experience, but I loved this gorgeous neighborhood."
Loveski, named in tribute to Kostow's pre-Ellis Island family name, has already proven successful with locations in Napa's Oxbow Public Market and Marin Country Mart in Larkspur. The deli serves what Kostow calls "Jew-ish" cuisine—signature sourdough bagels made with honey in the boil, matzo ball soup, and more contemporary offerings like smoothies and salmon bowls.
"We're trying to do something that enlarges the concept," Kostow explains. "We're not trying to pin our hopes and dreams on a massive pastrami sandwich."
The Jackson Square location will also feature unique house-made items including miso made from day-old bagels and chile crisp with everything-bagel seasoning. In good news for coffee lovers, Postscript, which has been roasting coffee at the location since 2023, will continue providing beans to Loveski.
Kostow's wife and business partner, Martina, serves as CEO of their growing empire. "Another chapter of life is unfolding," Christopher notes, "and I think it's compelled us to start pursuing projects outside of Napa Valley."
The chef sees Jackson Square as the perfect intersection of design, tech, and culinary excellence, joining fellow restaurateurs Michael and Lindsay Tusk of Quince and Cotogna in revitalizing the historic neighborhood.