Sit (and Eat) Indian Style“0 Comments”

the tablehopper | 10:32 am | June 27, 2008 | Foodie 411 | Add a comment

Kasa Indian Eatery

For those looking for a break from the usual burrito, there’s now Kasa Indian Eatery, a cross between a taqueria and Indian place. The menu features a variety of “kati rolls” (think Indian wraps) in buttery roti bread; you take your pick from fillings like chicken tikka or tikka masala, lamb curry, and vegetable options, like paneer with peppers and onion, or cumin potatoes (one for $5.50, two for $8.95). All the kati rolls come with raita and chutney; you can also order a dish “deconstructed” and get daal (lentils) and basmati rice on the side instead. Everything is made from scratch and with quality ingredients. There is beer, wine, Indian sodas, and chai tea. Open daily 11am–10pm.

4001 18th St. at Noe, 415-621-6940.

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.

North Beach Is Really Living Up To Its Name“0 Comments”

the tablehopper | 10:44 am | June 26, 2008 | Foodie 411 | Add a comment

In North Beach, Palermo Deli is now La Spiaggia (which means “beach” in Italian). Nick Fasanella, formerly of Nick’s Crispy Tacos and Nicky’s Pizzeria Rustica on Polk Street, is the new owner. He has a variety of 13 sandwiches, all named after beaches around the world. So the Amagansett is a Niman Ranch roast beef sandwich, while the Marina Grande is made with prosciutto di Parma and mozzarella. There are also sandwiches made with Niman Ranch porchetta (Nick is roasting his own meats), Willie Bird turkey, plus some East Coast combos, like meatball, chicken parmigiana, and sausage and peppers. There’s also a vegetarian sandwich on the list, and PB&J for the kiddies.

Here’s the fun part: for $5, you can rent a beach chair and take it out to Washington Square Park while you enjoy your sandwich (or rent the chair for the entire day, $15). Open 10am–6pm daily.

1556 Stockton St. at Union, 415-362-DELI (3354).

Another bit of beachy news: the Tiernans, who own Tiernan’s down near Fisherman’s Wharf, have bought the Washbag, or more formally known as the Washington Square Bar and Grill. Rumor has it Michael McCourt will also be back behind the bar. Look for a September reopening.

1556 Stockton St. at Union, 415-362-DELI (3354).

The French Connection“0 Comments”

the tablehopper | 11:23 am | June 25, 2008 | Foodie 411 | Add a comment

Urban Tavern

Things are in the mix with Urban Tavern, the upcoming restaurant project at the San Francisco Hilton on O’Farrell Street. Donna Scala of Bistro Don Giovanni originally consulted on the project, helping to conceptualize and develop the high-end 240-seat gastropub for the hotel—but it ends up Laurent Manrique and Chris Condy of C&L Partners (Aqua, Fifth Floor, Café de la Presse, and Rouge & Blanc) are now leading the helm on the project, but Scala is still involved with the project. The opening is slated for early August, and the food will focus on Mediterranean-inspired cuisine under executive chef Patrick Kehler, who served as a chef de cuisine at Aqua, and also launched Circolo Restaurant in 2004. The restaurant will be open daily from 11:30am until late.

333 O’Farrell St. at Mason.

Bar Norcini

Also in Union Square, where Caffe Kuleto’s used to be is now Bar Norcini, a new salumi, cheese, and wine bar (Caffe Kuleto’s and the Villa Florence’s lobby wine bar have been combined into one space). The name Norcini is Umbrian for “pork butcher”—chef Bob Helstrom of neighboring Kuleto’s is well known for his love of salumi-making, using pigs from Devil’s Gulch that are actually fed kitchen scraps from Kuleto’s. In the morning, Bar Norcini will serve Illy coffee and pastries, and then after closing for half an hour, lunch will bring panini, pizzettas topped with salumi, salads, and cheese. The evening menu will offer pizzettas, salumi, and cheese. There will be some well-chosen Italian wines, and eight special cocktails, each featuring Italian liqueurs and ingredients.

225 Powell St. at Geary.

How To Eat Local“0 Comments”

the tablehopper | 10:43 am | June 24, 2008 | Foodie 411 | Add a comment

The Bay Area Local Food Guide is about to be released, giving the public access to information on over a thousand farms, farmers’ markets, CSAs, restaurants, retailers, institutions, and specialty grocery stores that feature local food within the nine counties of the Bay Area. A celebration in honor of the guide’s release will be held at the Officer’s Club at Fort Mason on Thursday, June 26th, and will feature samples of some of the finest local food and wines. A panel of experts will discuss why local food is the answer.

Doors open at 4:30pm, and the local food panel begins at 6:30pm; speakers include Paula Jones (SF Dept. of Environment), Sibella Kraus (Sage), Alison Negrin (John Muir Health), Simon Richard (Bi-Rite Market) and Jered Lawson (Pie Ranch). Moderated by Bill Fujimoto of Monterey Market. At 7:30pm is dessert, plus farmer and chef/retailer networking. (Event runs until 8:30pm.)

The Bay Area Buy Fresh Buy Local Food Guide is free and will be distributed via retailers listed in the guide, farmers’ markets and at special events. Additionally, the guide is available online for downloading and in a searchable format at www.buylocalca.org.

1 Fort Mason.

« Older Posts

Foodie 411

Recent Posts

Categories

Blogroll

Meta

Sit (and Eat) Indian Style“0 Comments”

North Beach Is Really Living Up To Its Name“0 Comments”

The French Connection“0 Comments”

How To Eat Local“0 Comments”