Mockingbird is husband and wife William Johnson and Melissa Axelrod of San Francisco, CA, and their two kids Elodie (6) who is Melissa’s step-daughter and Lily (1)
William grew up in Southern California but has called San Francisco home for over 20 years.
Melissa is a San Francisco native who grew up in the upper Haight and now lives just over the hill in the lower Haight.
William and Melissa met when they worked side by side in the restaurant industry. They bonded over food and before long a romance began to develop…a marriage, a restaurant and a child later is where we are in a blur of the last 5 years. Which included the discovery that we were not able to sell beer or wine at our current location which lead to an over 30% drop in sales all while very I was very pregnant with Lily. That we have been able to keep Mockingbird afloat for almost two years without alcohol sales is no small feat. We have become adept at doing more with less, all while gathering more loyal customers and positive press. It is clear people love our food and the environment we have created.
Our dream for the future is to continue and expand what we have created with Mockingbird. A successful family run restaurant, contributing to the Oakland community, supporting local farmers, fisherman, and ranchers who we have developed relationships with over the years.