Cafe society
LAURA OZYILMAZ • Dalida & Maria Isabel
WORK • Friday Routine
LAURA OZYILMAZ • chef & owner • Dalida & Maria Isabel
Neighborhood you live in: Presidio
It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I usually spend my mornings at Dalida, checking in with the team, catching up on emails, and getting some work done before service. We’re open for lunch, and I love being part of service whenever I can be. Later in the day, I head over to Maria Isabel to check in with that team as well. Since opening our second restaurant in March, my days are split between both spaces, which means a lot of moving around, problem-solving, tasting, planning, and staying connected with the people who make each restaurant feel alive.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Right now, I’m working on our summer menu change and event planning, especially with the opening of Maria Isabel. I’m also planning an event on June 10 with Jaime Rodríguez, the chef of the restaurant Celele in Cartagena.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
We try to go to a new restaurant on Sunday nights when we can. We recently tried Dingles Public House and loved it. I also want to try Arabella’s at the Huntington Hotel, which recently opened, and visit my friend Jennifer Caballero there.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I love spending time in Golden Gate Park, especially the Rose Garden. As summer starts, being there feels so peaceful and relaxing. We also love visiting the California Academy of Sciences. They have adult nights with cocktails, which are such a fun way to experience the museum.
Any weekend getaways?
For a quick getaway, I love going to Cavallo Point Spa. The warm outdoor pools are such a delight, and it feels like a true escape even though it’s so close to the city. For a day trip, Sonoma is my go-to. It’s only about 45 minutes away, and I always recommend stopping at El Molino Central for excellent Mexican food. I also love Valley. It’s such a special restaurant, and a great place to have dinner.
What was your last great vacation?
London and Mallorca. London is such a natural choice for me because it’s such an incredible food city. We ate at wonderful restaurants, including BiBi, Gymkhana, Beranjak, and KOL, and I always leave inspired by the food scene there. But I truly, truly loved Mallorca. The seafood, the wine, the nature, everything was just wonderful. A friend of mine, who used to be a chef at Elkano, showed us around, and we were able to enjoy a very quiet, beautiful time there. It felt restorative in the best way.
What store or service do you always recommend?
The Marin Farmers Market. It’s year-round on Sundays and Thursdays, rain or shine. The produce is beautiful, the people are happy, and there’s always great food and coffee.
Where are you donating your time or money?
I support Sprouts Chef Training, which helps young people facing hardship build culinary careers through training, mentorship, and job placement. Their work feels very close to my heart because food can create opportunity, confidence, and a real path forward.