1760, Russian Hill (1760 Polk Street at Washington, 415-359-1212) As is typical with any new restaurant opening, friends, colleagues and strangers ask for my take on a place… and in the case of 1760, the new restaurant from the owners of Acquerello, every single one of them has breathed a sigh of relief when I say I like it. “Oh,… Read more →
Whenever I visited the intimate, humble Pesce on Polk Street over the past decade plus, I was consistently impressed with the impeccable seafood and Venetian focus. It evoked an escape to Venice, Italy (minus the unmatchable, magical setting), for its blessed ritual of snacking: cicchétti, or hot and cold bites preferably taken with drink. Having just returned to Venice for… Read more →
FOG CITY, Embarcadero (1300 Battery St. between Broadway St. & Pacific Ave; 415-982-2000) What’s old is new again… or in the case of the completely revamped Fog City, the legendary former diner manages to offer food gourmet enough for locals and foodies, yet approachable enough for tourists and non-foodies. With booths now lining both sides of the restaurant, Embarcadero views are… Read more →
LA URBANA, Western Addition (661 Divisadero Street at Grove, 415-440-4500) After a preview a few months back and a visit to Mexico City exploring some of the city’s stellar restaurants (read about it here), I was excited to see La Urbana open in Western Addition this September. Having already dined there three times in the roughly five weeks it has… Read more →
BERGERAC, SoMa (316 11th Street between Folsom and Harrison, 415-255-9440) Tonight I had an early sneak peek (and taste) of the cocktail menu at Bergerac, opening this Saturday, September 21, in SoMa. The brand new bar/restaurant space is inspired by the legendary Villa Nellcote mansion on the Côte d’Azur in France, where the Rolling Stones recorded Exile on Main St.… Read more →
1601 BAR & KITCHEN, SoMa (1601 Howard St. at 12th, 415-552-1601) In my book, extra points go to one attempting something different or filling in a vacant gap. Of course, it has to taste great, too. 1601 Bar & Kitchen succeeds on all fronts. Chef-owner Brian Fernando brings the flavors of his Sri Lankan heritage (his father is from Sri… Read more →
These two Nob Hill newcomers satisfy my longing for a little romance inherent in a great glass of wine, gourmet-yet-heartfelt cooking, and intimate environs. Make a date with a lover or a close friend at these idyllic neighborhood bistros. COCOTTE, Nob Hill (1521 Hyde St. at Jackson, 415-292-4415) Hyde Street Bistro was one of those blessedly non-trendy restaurants, a traditional… Read more →
THE PALACE, Outer Mission (3047 Mission St. between 26th and Capp, 415-666-5218) Think spruced-up dive, a corner restaurant long housing Palace Family Steak House, where Mission and 26th Streets meet Cesar Chavez. It’s now called simply The Palace. Here Chef Manny Torres Gimenez and wife/General Manager Katarina showcase Gimenez’ five-course tasting menu for a reasonable $50, or a small a… Read more →
AQUITAINE, Financial District (175 Sutter St. between Lick Place & Kearny St., 415-402-5290) We lost San Francisco’s great, historic spirits shop, John Walker & Co. But the former storefront has been reinvented in what could have been just another wine bar. One-month-old newcomer, Aquitaine, is a stand-out wine bar and restaurant, transporting me straight to Europe. Opened by Michelin-starred chef extraordinaire, Laurent… Read more →
FLOUR + CO, Nob Hill (1030 Hyde St. between California and Pine, 415-992-7620) Flour + Co, a cheery little bakery that opened in April, is just what Nob Hill needed. Communal tables and shades of soft baby blue with hints of orange charm in the friendly space thankfully not serving typical baked goods. My first visit was the day they… Read more →