Chico Marx, A Playful New Dining Concept Opens in South San Francisco
Where sun-drenched flavors of Latin America, Spain, and California meet for a lively take on lunch and happy hour.
South San Francisco (May 3, 2023) – Ventas REIT and award-winning food service partner Bon Appétit Management Company recently opened Chico Marx, the newest dining concept to join the rapidly growing South San Francisco food scene. Chico Marx is a sophisticated lunch and happy hour destination where local produce and sustainable practices are brought together to deliver a playful, modern culinary experience.
Located at 2 Tower Place (near the South San Francisco exit off Highway 101), Chico Marx is housed within the Tower Place campus, managed by Transwestern. It offers a relaxed bar atmosphere where guests can enjoy a craft cocktail, share small plates made with locally sourced ingredients, or enjoy an elegant multi-course meal with colleagues and clients. Fully-equipped private dining rooms accommodate a variety of meetings and event experiences with full catering service.
Executive Chef Jose Alvarez’s menu brings together the diverse but complementary culinary traditions of Spain and California with influences from the Latin American diaspora. “I have always been very passionate about Latin American Cuisine,” he says. “The ingredients we use are rich and full of deep flavors that transport me back to my roots. At Chico Marx, I’m taking these roots and showing how they intertwine with the culinary styles of Spain and California.” Bold, bright flavors coaxed from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients dominate the easy elegance of the menu. In keeping within Bon Appétit’s companywide standards, dishes at Chico Marx will feature produce sourced from within 150 miles whenever possible along with humanely raised meat, certified cage-free shell eggs, and seafood that meets Monterey Bay Seafood Watch sustainability guidelines.
The menu features wholesome salads, assorted happy hour tapas, entrées, and a full bar menu, including specialty cocktails.
Happy Hour Menu highlights include:
Marx Mojito
white rum, lime, sugar, mint
Red Sangria Carafe
red wine, Spanish brandy, orange liqueur, seasonal fresh fruit
Bocadillos
piquillo peppers, jamon iberico, olive tapenade, arugula
Impossible Albondigas
chipotle marinara sauce, onions, parsley
Ceviche
Bodega Bay albacore tuna, red onion, avocado, aji amarillo, cilantro, plantain chips
Menu Highlights include:
Tempranillo Braised Short Rib
gigante bean ragu, and pickled red onion
Spinach Empanada
Yukon Gold potato, melted leeks, idiazabal cheese, salsa chimichurri
Bolinas Black Cod
braised new potatoes, sweet and sour onions
Pollo Al Ajillo
chicken, asparagus, garlic, pimento cream sauce, saffron rice
Patatas Bravas
fried new potatoes, almond, salsa romesco
General Information
Open Monday-Friday, 11am-7pm
Happy Hour is Monday-Friday, 3pm-7pm
Reservations can be made by calling 650-731-9146
Online reservations are available on OpenTable.
High-resolution restaurant interior and menu imagery is available HERE. Credit for all photos: Kelly Puleio