Getting Fired Up

the tablehopper | 10:52 am | May 30, 2008 | Foodie 411

The Bay Area culinary set is excitedly heralding the opening of Russell Moore and Allison Hopelain’s first solo restaurant, Camino. (Moore was at Chez Panisse for 21 years, and the chef of the Café for 12 of those years.) The brick building has room for 80 or so, with a bar area with space for around 25 guests. The name is an Italian word for fireplace, and the restaurant’s jaw-dropping one will be full of roasting meats, cazuelas, bean pots, gratins, flatbreads, whole fish, and sausages. The seasonal menu is well edited, with four–five starters, three–four mains, and just as many desserts; all made with product from stellar purveyors. Simple, honest, straightforward are the words Moore used to describe the food, and he said vegetarians will eat well there too. San Franciscan barman Thad Vogler will be customizing some kitchen-driven cocktails—a few will be offered each day, plus some house-made spirits. Hours are Sun–Thu 5pm–10pm (closed Tuesdays), and Fri–Sat 5pm–11pm.

• 3917 Grand Ave. at Boulevard Way, Oakland, 510-547-5035, www.caminorestaurant.com

When It’s Nice To Go in CIrcles

Murray Circle, the restaurant at Sausalito’s about-to-open Cavallo Point Resort, recently had its soft opening. Executive chef Joseph Humphrey, the noted former chef of Meadowood Resort in St. Helena, has put together a small plates menu with seafood dishes like spot prawns with fava beans and little gem lettuces ($17); vegetables like baby artichokes served chilled ($15); and meat dishes like quail with romesco, Swiss chard, dry-cured olives, and arugula ($18). There is also a nightly five-course tasting menu for $95, and a vegetable tasting menu for $75. The wine list represents one of America’s largest wine cellars—when fully assembled by wine director Dan O’Brien, it will feature over 13,000 bottles and 2,000 labels.

The 100-seat restaurant has lovely views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay, a brick fireplace, plus a terrace with room for 20. There is also an adjoining bar, Farley, named in honor of cartoonist Phil Frank that will also be serving additional dishes, from some crudos to olive oil-fried items, plus hearty wood-fired options, like a grass-fed burger, sand dabs, beef brisket, and a pork shoulder. Breakfast daily 7am–10am; lunch Mon–Fri 11:30am­–2pm; dinner Sun–Thu 5:30pm–10pm, Fri–Sat 5:30pm–11pm; brunch Sat–Sun 11am–2:30pm. Farley Bar is open Sun–Thu 11am–11pm, and Fri–Sat 11am–12am.

• 601 Murray Circle, Fort Baker, Sausalito, 415-339-4750, http://www.cavallopoint.com/restaurant_murraycircle.php

Marcia Gagliardi writes a popular weekly e-column about the SF dining scene, “the tablehopper.” Subscribe for free at www.tablehopper.com and get it in your inbox every Tuesday. Got news? Email Marcia at taste@sanfrancisco.travel.