Bacar's newly expanded Wine Salon
SoMa's bacar has gotten a makeover. Its newly expanded Wine Salon, previously used only for special events, is now open Friday–Sunday nights, serving a revamped small-plates menu and hosting a jazz band. Upstairs, the formerly open kitchen has been enclosed, allowing diners to enjoy Robbie Lewis’ new Cal-Med menu in a more peaceful environment, even more so now that the music has been relocated to the Salon. New wine director Mickey Clevenger (ex Fleur de Lys and Frisson) is overseeing the extensive wine collection, which includes more than 65 selections by the glass and 1,200 bottles (448 Brannan St.; 415-904-4100).
The Beat goes on once again at North Beach's legendary Enrico's Sidewalk Cafe, which recently
reopened under the direction of a new team of restaurant vets (also behind Venticello, Bambudda and others). While the view of Broadway from the massive heated front patio and the nightly live jazz in the recently spiffed-up, now Parisian-style digs (featuring the original mural of the Howl posse) remain the lure, the New American–Med menu offering sliders, pizza and pasta also reels ’em in; dinner only for now (504 Broadway Ave.; 415-982-6223).