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).

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 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.

Let’s Salsa“0 Comments”

the tablehopper | 10:17 am | June 23, 2008 | Foodie 411 | Add a comment

Want another culinary trick up your sleeve? Take the class, The Secrets of Salsa, on June 25th at La Cocina and learn how to make real authentic salsa. Chefs from La Cocina will talk participants through four stations that begin with an introduction to the basics of salsa making—all of these salsas are designed to complement summer cooking. Culinary director Jason Rose will walk participants through an outdoor cooking/grilling refresher course that will begin with tips on getting the perfect grill marks and end with a perfectly cooked protein (be it beef, chicken, or seafood) to go with the salsas. There will also be summer cocktails, and the event will wrap with a delicious sit-down dinner paired with wines. The chefs include Dilsa Lugo of Los Cilantros and Veronica Salazar of El Huarache Loco. Tickets are $110, and a large portion of the ticket is tax-deductible. Email caleb@lacocinasf.org or sign up at Brown Paper Tickets.

La Cocina, 2948 Folsom St. at 25th St.

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

The French Connection“0 Comments”

How To Eat Local“0 Comments”

Let’s Salsa“0 Comments”