the tablehopper | 3:54 pm | July 31, 2009 | Foodie 411 | Add a comment
A graduate of the Fifth Floor kitchen, Melissa Perello has finally found a home for her personal project, Frances. She is moving into the former Palencia spot in the Castro. In an email she says, “I love the neighborhood, the space is really charming and feels very comfortable to me. I’m working on plans for the space with an architect right now, though the renovations will be moderate and I anticipate a fall opening. I’m very excited about the project, it’s been a long time in the making.”
Who said big projects are over? 7×7 had the scoop that Tyler Florence is taking over the Rubicon space. According to the post, TyFlo writes, “It’s going to be called Wayfare Tavern. Modeled after the San Franciscan Bohemain [sic] culture of the late 1890’s. We’ve got an amazing designer who instead of building the place up, will patina it down to look as if it has always been there […] think American Balthazar! Researching antique menus from the period. Shooting for Spring 2010, March or April.”
Here’s yet another big project: we’re talking a 6,700-square-foot space. Months ago I toured a large restaurant site on Yerba Buena Lane, just across from the Four Seasons. Here’s what’s opening late this year in it: Bluestem Steakhouse Brasserie, a modern reinterpretation of the American steakhouse from Adam and Stacy Jed. (The name comes from the premium grass favored by cattle ranchers throughout North America.) Bluestem will offer all-day dining and will have a rooftop bar. Michael Magliano, formerly of Craft in Los Angeles, will serve as executive chef. Bluestem will source its meats from sustainable ranchers, and will base the choices on seasonality and source from a variety of regions. There will be a twist on the usual steakhouse line-up, with different cuts and unfamiliar selections, and more than just beef on the menu.
Olle Lundberg of Lundberg Design is designing the space, which has 18-foot ceilings, a multi-level dining space, and according to the press release will feature “a bar top made by local artisan Concrete Works with embedded crystal rods lit from underneath with LED lights. The palette at Bluestem consists of warm earth tones of wheat, amber, and deep reds, and incorporates the use of refurbished sustainable materials wherever possible, including cork-wrapped columns, carpet made from yak hair, and end-grain flooring made from reclaimed Indonesian plantation wood.” It will seat 200 indoors, including 45 in the lounge, plus another 35 on the rooftop patio, and there’s a lobby lounge and bar area.
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 | 3:44 pm | July 29, 2009 | Foodie 411 | Add a comment
Some of the biggest news in the last couple of weeks was about chef Nate Appleman’s sudden departure from the A16 and SPQR restaurants and group. Time will tell where he is turning up next. Liza Shaw will continue to hold down the kitchen at A16 like she has been doing, except she is now chef instead of co-chef. As for SPQR, chef de cuisine Chris Behr opted to not take over the show, and executive sous chef Huw Thornton will also be leaving—but not until the new chef is hired. The partners are currently conducting a search to fill the chef position. They have also decided to close down SPQR for 7–10 days once they have the new chef so they can refresh the space, and get things up to speed with a new kitchen crew—probably at the end of August. All employees will be kept on payroll provided they are working with the new chef or willing to pick up a paintbrush and help with the sprucing up. As for Urbino, well, sadly that project has been shelved at this time due to various issues relating to the lease and timing, but A16 Japan is still on track for an opening in Tokyo in September.
Over at the Fifth Floor, Laurent Manrique has departed, so executive chef Jennie Lorenzo is leading a new concept, offering New American cuisine at a less-expensive price point. The new menu includes delicious-sounding appetizers, like chilled English pea soup ($11) with calamari a la plancha and spiced oil powder; and tuna “zuke” ($13), with sashimi strips, green tea soba, yuzu vinaigrette, and crispy mohama. Mains currently feature baked black cod ($25) with hearts of palm, sprouts and blossoms, sea urchin sauce, and fried brine shrimp; and stuffed quail ($24) with asparagus and pea succotash, herb puree, and Madeira sauce. The most expensive main is the rib-eye “paillard” for $29, and the five-course tasting menu, now called The “Fifth” Tasting, for $65 (with pairings from Master Sommelier Emily Wines for $50). Jacques Bezuidenhout and Emily Wines will also be developing the bar concept further (plus a bar bites menu), look for an update on that in coming weeks.
Chef Romuald Feger has joined The St. Regis San Francisco as executive chef, overseeing culinary operations for the 260-room hotel and Vitrine restaurant. Feger most recently served as executive chef at The St. Regis Resort Bora Bora, and will now oversee cuisine at Vitrine restaurant, a 74-seat restaurant located on the fourth floor of The St. Regis San Francisco that offers full breakfast and lunch menus using seasonal, local ingredients. He will also oversee all in-room dining, custom fine-dining menus for gala events, and personalized catering for St. Regis Residence owners.
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 | 3:10 pm | July 24, 2009 | Foodie 411 | Add a comment
1300 On Fillmore is now offering their Sunday gospel brunch twice a month: you can experience it now on first and third Sundays. There are two seatings: 11am or 1pm for the performance and three-course prix-fixe brunch. Brunch is $39 per person, and includes a Bellini or mimosa and coffee and tea.
New Openings
The now-closed Metro Kathmandu has changed to District 5, serving Californian comfort cuisine with Mediterranean flavor. The chef is Jacques Rousseau, a French native who has most recently worked as a chef at Baker Street Bistro for the last five years. Here are a few menu highlights: heirloom black tomatoes, cucumber, piquillos, goat cheese, and olive oil and lemon dressing ($8); pasta dishes like pennette with spicy Italian sausage and Point Reyes teleme cheese ($12); Camarguais red rice, piquillo, tomatoes, asparagus ($11); roasted chicken breast brushed with California olive tapenade on red rice ($15.50); and a hanger steak, with pinot noir red onion compote and fries ($17). And don’t forget the cute patio that’s open during weekend brunch.
Suriya Thai (of pumpkin curry fame for many years on Valencia Street) has reopened in SoMa, serving lunch and dinner. Mon–Sat 11am–2:30pm, dinner Mon–Sun 5pm–10pm.
Just a block away, the former SOMA Cafe is transforming into Sage (no relation to the restaurant near Civic Center) from owner Gabriel McWilliams and his wife Sue. This lounge/café will serve coffee (Lavazza) all day, plus healthy sandwiches and salads, and in the evening will offer desserts, and beer and wine. Sage will also be going back to the space’s roots by providing a venue for local artists to perform, from live bands to DJs to poetry. The space is significantly larger, with a 1,000-square-foot addition, outdoor seating on both sides, and it’s now ADA-compliant. The look is “modern glam,” with crystal chandeliers, sofas, and comfy seating. If all stays on track, look for an opening for the neighbors on August 1st, and the general public grand opening on August 3rd. Hours will be Mon–Sat 6am–11pm.
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 | 10:39 am | July 23, 2009 | Events, Foodie 411 | Add a comment
You know it’s summertime when the tomato cart returns to BIX. Or as they like to call it, the “Return of the Killer Tomatoes Cart.” You can enjoy some heirloom tomatoes sliced tableside and served with hand-pulled mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, and basil during dinner nightly, or for lunch on Fridays. $13.50.
Through the end of July, chef Dominique Crenn at Luce is offering a “Tomato” menu with all of the tomatoes coming from Dirty Girl Farm in Santa Cruz. The menu is $34.95, excluding tax and gratuity, and the menu will be paired with wines for an additional $12.
First Course
Cherry Tomato Broth with Cherokee Tomato Tartare
Second Course
Diver Scallop with Heirloom Tomato Confit and Crispy Tomato
Dessert
Tomato Sorbet with Strawberry and Yogurt
Mark your calendar: corn will be featured on the menu in August, followed by melon as the theme in September.
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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