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One of SF’s best pastry chefs is opening a bakery in Russian Hill
Summary by The San Francisco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Becky Duffett , The San Francisco Standard
· July 21, 2026
· 1 min read
Frances and Octavia chef-owner Melissa Perello and pastry chef Melissa Loar have partnered on Lorella, a brick-and-mortar spinoff of their sell-out Saturbake pop-ups.
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The San Francisco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Becky Duffett, The San Francisco Standard Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Why this matters in The San Francisco
The arrival of Lorella in Russian Hill marks a significant addition to the neighborhood's culinary landscape. As a brick-and-mortar bakery, it will likely become a staple for locals and visitors alike, drawing foot traffic to the area. The partnership between Melissa Perello and Melissa Loar brings together two talented chefs with a proven track record, having already garnered a following with their Saturbake pop-ups. This new venture may also spur other local entrepreneurs to consider setting up shop in Russian Hill, potentially leading to a more vibrant and diverse commercial corridor. With its rich history and prime location, Russian Hill is an ideal setting for a boutique bakery like Lorella, and its success could have a positive impact on the surrounding community, making it a welcome addition to the city's food scene. The bakery's presence will be a boon to the neighborhood's character and charm.
About this story
Original reporting by The San Francisco Standard . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: The San Francisco Standard ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Frances and Octavia chef-owner Melissa Perello and pastry chef Melissa Loar have partnered on Lorella, a brick-and-mortar spinoff of their sell-out Saturbake pop-ups.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by The San Francisco Standard and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Becky Duffett at The San Francisco Standard. To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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