Coming Soon

the tablehopper | 3:54 pm | July 31, 2009 | Foodie 411

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.”

• 3870 17th St. at Noe.

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.”

• 558 Sacramento St. at Montgomery.

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.

• 1 Yerba Buena Lane at Market.

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.