the tablehopper | 2:13 pm | November 26, 2008 | Foodie 411 | Add a comment
The current economy is certainly challenging, but at least restaurants are getting clever about keeping guests returning for more.
First, on Sunday Night is Neighborhood Night at Local Kitchen & Wine Merchant is, with all-you-can-eat pizza for $12.95 (kids 12 and under for only $6.95) on Sunday nights.
South has launched a Recession Concession prix-fixe menu, running from now until December 1st. There is a $24 lunch menu, and dinner is $34, and either meal includes a glass of sparkling wine. You can read up on the menu specifics here.
Vegetarians, meanwhile, can head to Millennium for the Frugal Foodie menu, a three-course prix fixe menu available Sunday–Wednesday for $38 per person (excludes tax and gratuity), with your choice of dishes off the regular menu, plus there’s a $12 optional wine pairing.
And then there’s simply affordable dining, no special needed: Tropisueño is now open in Yerba Buena Lane, serving taqueria fare during the day to the lunch and daytime crowd, and will start dinner service in December. Modern renditions of tequila-based cocktails made with fresh ingredients are also available.
Starting December 1st, dinner service will get underway, and the restaurant actually has a physical transformation as well: the taqueria line will disappear, and other touches will happen to make it more restaurant, less taqueria. During the switch to dinner, the menu will expand to include antojitos and Jaliscan seafood specialties—there will also be two signature moles, eventually four. The food is geared toward authenticity, but is not high end like some other SoMa Mexican places. The chef is Antelmo Faria, most recently at La Salette in Sonoma, and Montrio in Monterey. Hours are 10:30am–5:30pm daily, and dinner will be eventually 5:30pm–10:30pm.
More downtown deals: Chez Papa Resto has launched new happy hour: all “special” cocktails are $6 (normally $10), draught beer is $3, and there are some small plate specials, like baked goat cheese ($6), a lamb chop with ratatouille ($7.50), tuna tartare ($8), and fried halibut and lemon aioli ($8). Happy hour is Mon–Fri 5pm–7pm.
Chef Changes
Chef Ryan Scott is leaving Mission Beach Café on December 1st to focus on his catering business, Ryan Scott 2 Go, and is reportedly “weighing several compelling job offers.” Things are on good terms between Scott and proprietor Bill Clarke—Scott is planning to return to MBC for special events throughout the rest of the year and into 2009. Clarke has hired a new executive chef, Thomas Martinez, age 22, to head up the kitchen—Martinez actually worked previously at MBC, and left to try private cheffing, so now he’s back (and will be keeping things seasonal). He has also worked at Soluna, Greens, Aziza, Roots, and Foreign Cinema, as well as with Heirloom Organic Gardens, where he worked directly with the produce and restaurant chefs as a purveyor.
Jessica Gorin is no longer the executive chef at Bambuddha Lounge, and is now at Thirsty Bear in SoMa. She will be launching a new menu there shortly.
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.
the tablehopper | 11:16 am | November 25, 2008 | Foodie 411 | Add a comment
Nothing makes a holiday celebration like some good bubbly. Here’s a quality event where you can learn what you want to stock your fridge with: on Thursday December 4th, Arlequin Wine Merchant will host a Champagne evening featuring tastes from well-known producers, including Krug, Pol Roger, Bollinger, Gosset, and Ruinart, as well as boutique producers including Vilmart, Pierre Peters and Rene Geoffroy. Featured Houses will pour more than 30 different Champagnes, accompanied by gourmet fare from Arlequin Café. All featured Champagnes will be available for purchase at special event pricing at Arlequin Wine Merchant.
$50 in advance and $60 at the door. To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.arlequinwinemerchant.com.
5:30pm – 8:30pm
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.
the tablehopper | 1:26 pm | November 24, 2008 | Foodie 411 | Add a comment
Of course the City is full of holiday displays, high teas, cookie decorating, and caroling. Here are a few more ideas and excursions:
The Westin St. Francis Executive Pastry Chef, Jean-François Houdré, aka “King of the Castle,” is working on his signature 12-foot rotating holiday Sugar Castle, to be unveiled in the Tower Lobby of The Westin St. Francis on Friday November 28th.
Originally created in 2005, this magnwificent Sugar Castle resembles a French chateau. The 100% edible castle is made of pastillage (a combination of powdered sugar, egg whites and gelatin dough), gingerbread, sugar, molasses, flour, and candy. Weighing over 1,200 pounds, it features more than 20 grand circular towers, approximately 30 rooms, illuminated windows, and is surrounded by a village and a running train.
Heading to Civic Center for the 2pm matinee showings of the San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker at the War Memorial Opera House? Take note that holiday hours are on at Jardinière restaurant, which will be open for lunch on Fridays throughout the month of December from 11:30am–2:30pm.
Getting worn out? From November 29th–December 29th, Bar 888 at the InterContinental San Francisco will offer “Take a Break—Dolce Ripasso” every Saturday and Sunday from 2pm—5pm. Dolce Ripasso is meant to give busy shoppers break from their heavy bags and tired feet. Distract yourself with Italian savory delicacies and sweets from two tier-presentations meant for two people, served along with the choice of espresso, cappuccino, coffee or Mighty Leaf Tea. In addition, the “Dolce” is offered with the choice of one of Bar 888’s holiday cocktails, a grappa or wine flight, or a 15-minute foot massage at the I-Spa. The cost is $35 per person.
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.
the tablehopper | 12:47 pm | November 21, 2008 | Foodie 411 | Add a comment
Here are some new places to get some vittles and cocktails around town. First there’s Gitane, with its colorful, sexy, retro décor by Charles Doell of Mr. Important—you’ll feel like you’re in Barcelona, or a hip Parisian boîte. Highlights include chef Lisa Eyherabide’s bacon bon bons (prunes stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in smoked bacon) and sardines en escabèche (sardines on puff pastry with tomato jam), plus the Belmont Breeze cocktail by Dominic Venegas with Four Roses bourbon, amontillado sherry, and orange and pomegranate juices—a bunch of the drinks have little touches of sherry. This place is built for a chic date night, and with the open-until-midnight kitchen hours, it will be the perfect spot for a late-night pizza and a drink, or glass of wine off of Sean Diggins’ list. There will also be some outdoor seating in the alley. Dinner served Tue–Sat from 5:30pm–midnight; the bar will stay open until 1am.
In SoMa, Medici Lounge is now officially up and running, serving a rotating menu of Italian dishes and handcrafted cocktails under the direction of Sierra Zimei (Seasons Bar), like the Under The Tuscan Sun (limoncello, Grand Marnier, basil, grapefruit juice, sea salt, prosecco). Happy hour is Tue–Sat 4pm–6pm, with discounts on beer, wine, cocktails, and there’s a special appetizer menu. Lunch and brunch will be coming in the next month. Open Tue–Sun at 4pm, closed on Mondays.
Looking for a quick bite? Crave has opened in the Upper Polk, a casual spot from John Lamkin and Lynn Ramsey of Street. You can get breakfast, lunch, and an early dinner, all made with seasonal and quality ingredients. The menu includes breakfast faves like egg sandwiches, house-made scones, and breakfast burritos, and lunch brings some soups, salads, and tasty sandwiches (hello Reuben) that will highlight slow-roasted meats and fish. Dinner is heartier, and some vegetarian fare will also be available—dishes will span from New American to Latin flair. Coffee is from Ritual Roasters. They’re still in soft opening mode, so things aren’t exactly running at 100% yet. Hours are 7am–7pm.
And fans of rare spirits should check out CASK, the liquor store from the Bourbon & Branch chaps. You’ll be able to buy all kinds of spirits, many obscure, hard to find, and artisanal, plus some Cali small-production and boutique wines (90% of the wines are from Napa or Sonoma), and there will also be a few bubblies, including some high-end bottles from Krug, Dom, Veuve, and Moet. There is a selection of barware (great holiday presents for the boozehound in your life), books, bitters, glassware, and there’s even an engraving service to make that bottle extra special. Downtown delivery is on a 1920s tricycle, and you can have items shipped off the website (where it’s legal to, of course). Open 11am–7pm daily.
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.
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