Upcoming Projects

the tablehopper | 3:58 pm | November 5, 2009 | Events, Foodie 411

Things just keep getting interesting over at Aqua: now the Bacchus Management Group (Spruce, Village Pub) is taking it over completely. They ended up having the winning bid for the lease, and hope to retain the Aqua name as well. As for next steps, the restaurant will remain open until the end of the year, and will then be closing for a little bit around the New Year. Bacchus will be bringing in a new chef, but maintaining the fine dining atmosphere that Aqua has always been known for since 1991. Here’s hoping the name continues to live on.

• 252 California St. at Battery.

Opening soon at 2401 Lombard St.

Things are getting close for Republic, the project in the Marina in the former Jones space, brought to you by the Bin 38 crew (Shaw Amirghassemkhany, Don Davis, Peter Scully and David Sheridan). Executive chef Brian Beach (The Waterfront, Adagia) has put together a menu focused on updated bar and grill classics and comfort food made with local ingredients, like a burger made with sustainable, ground-to-order beef; grilled romaine salad and Parmesan flan; and Phillies (mini cheese steak bites). There will also be clever bar snacks, including local Dungeness crab jalapeno poppers.

One thing that is sure to prick up a lot of ears around town is that the beverage program will have the largest all-American craft beer list in San Francisco (classic cocktails will also be available). Jim Maxwell of Architects II redid the interior to be more upscale, and the entrance has been moved to Scott Street. Game watchers: there will be TV/sports viewing, although the TVs can and will be covered by artwork or sliding panels based on game times (except for three TVs in the bar area, which will remain uncovered). Hours will include weekend brunch (starting at 9am, and open continuously until 2am on Sat and 12am on Sun), and snacks, drinks, and dinner Mon—Wed 4pm—12am and until 2am Thu—Fri. The opening is looking like Friday November 13th for now.

• 2401 Lombard St. at Scott, 415-817-1337.

Things are brewing (heh) in the Inner Sunset at the former site of Golden Gate Brewery, Eldo’s Grill and Brewery, and Wunder Brewing Company: a new group is taking it over and plan to reopen the brewery, and if all goes well with the ABC license, it will be serving beer and food in January. On the menu: you’ll find American fare (although the chef is TBD), and things are also in final negotiations with the brewer, so that is under wraps as well. One of the partners, Rex Tabora of Zebulon downtown,  said he’s especially excited about the project because he grew up just four blocks away. We’ll know more in 45—60 days once the license (hopefully) goes through.

• 1326 9th Ave. at Irving.

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.