New Restaurants
| Name |
Address |
City |
Phone |
| FARM |
4048 Sonoma Hwy. |
Napa |
707-299-4882 |
| Weird Fish |
2193 Mission St. |
San Francisco |
415-863-4744 |
New Nightspots
Coming Soon
La Terrace
In the next few weeks, Chez Spencer 's Laurent Katgely will open this French bistro in the Presidio (215 Lincoln Ave.) featuring a wood-burning oven and a dining room, bar and patio designed by Michael Brannan (Cortez), all with views of the bay. The all-day spot will serve upscale French breakfast items like quail eggs, a casual lunch that includes Katgely's signature smoked salmon pizza and dinner along the same lines as Chez Spencer 's – think wild game from the wood-burning oven.
Milk and Honey
Weird Fish proprietor Timothy Holt hasn't wasted any time expanding his stake on Mission Street. Although he just opened his sustainable fish joint in November, come January, he plans to transform the corner space two doors down (2199 Mission St.) into this casual cafe focused on flatbread munchies paired with live music and art. While the grub won't cost an arm and a leg, the furniture – all of which will be for sale, from the chandeliers to the chairs – might inspire customers to break out the credit card.
West County Grill
Barbuto chef Jonathan Waxman, along with former partner Steven Singer, is returning westward to open this sprawling, two-story restaurant (with two patios) in Sebastopol (6948 Sebastopol Ave.). Opening in January, the moderately priced grill will emphasize local Sonoma larder and wines, and feature a pizza oven and a raw bar.
Also Coming Soon
A new, as-yet-unnamed Cal-Mediterranean will replace Grasshopper, Oakland's recently closed Asian-tapas hot spot (6317 College Ave.); scheduled to open in a few months, it will be run by the former owners of San Francisco's Frascati.
Good Deals and Other News
The Hotel Nikko has snagged Barney Brown, former culinary director of the Straits Group and chef at Spanish Fly, as executive sous-chef to craft a new Japanese-Euro menu.
Owner Elisabeth Prueitt, who just debuted her new pastry cookbook, Tartine, says that new chef Jason Fox has expanded the bistro menu to reflect his passion for foods of the other parts of the Mediterranean – including Spain, Morocco and Egypt, where he has spent a lot of time traveling.
Bi-Rite Creamery & Bakeshop
This long anticipated creamery and bakery is finally open – and ready for conscientious San Franciscans with its organic ice creams and all-natural sprinkles (Sunday–Tuesday and Thursday, 11 AM–9 PM; Friday and Saturday, 11 AM–10 PM; closed Wednesdays; 3692 18th St.; 415-626-5600).
Co-owner and chef Joanna Karlinsky, who helped revamp this New Orleans–inspired Pacific Heights cafe in 2006, has left to open a bakery called Meetinghouse Biscuits (877-777-3170; www.meetinghousebiscuits.com), which will hawk her infamously addictive buns nationally. Owner Peter Snyderman has promoted Jerry Mendoza, who worked with Karlinsky for 10 years, to executive chef. Fear not, the cafe will continue to sell her famed biscuits fresh and as frozen dough.
After more than 10 years, Arnold Eric Wong will sell his business to the owner of Yabbies Coastal Kitchen. However, the new owner intends to keep the restaurant's name and staff intact. Wong will stay on through md-January to help with the transition, after which his chef de cuisine of five years, Danny Guerrini, will assume the title of chef.
Executive chef Melissa Perello will prepare her final supper on New Year's Eve, after which she'll leave the restaurant and take a short break before her next culinary venture. No replacement has been named yet.
This Belgian bastion of fries and crêpes just closed its Ghirardelli Square branch but plans to open an even larger outpost in the Mission (590 Valencia St.) in January. In addition to offering its signature frites, the Valencia haunt will expand its kitchen repertoire with Belgium waffles for brunch and moules dishes served into the wee hours of the night.
Copia's copious kitchen staff has been downsized, resulting in the departure of executive chef Victor Scargle, who is now in charge down the road at Go Fish. His chef de cuisine, Jeff Mosher, assumes the museum's culinary responsibilities.
The Mandarin
Founded in 1968 by Chinese food doyenne Cecelia Chang, this Ghirardelli Square stalwart closed its doors last month for good, as the building in which it resided for almost 40 years is being converted into a private residence.
This casual offshoot of Myth restaurant has ended its short-lived dinner service. The kitchen now only serves breakfast and lunch (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM).
Noodle lovers will be able to count a fifth branch of this popular hipster Thai spot when the rapidly expanding chain opens in Cow Hollow in early 2007 at 2033 Union Street (which once housed Amici's East Coast Pizzeria).
Out the Door
Charles Phan's second outpost of his Vietnamese to-go shop has opened at the Westfield Centre, where it also features a full-service restaurant offering wine and beer (Monday–Saturday, 11 AM–9 PM; Sunday, 11 AM–8 PM; 845 Market St.; 415-541-9913). Look for more information on Out the Door in the January ZagatWire.
Joseph Manzare has hooked Jerry McGinnis (formerly of supperclub) to run the kitchen of his Noe Valley fish restaurant. The menu at the Italian-oriented seafooder is expected to stay on the same course.
This 54-year-old Saratoga veteran has been sold to new owners, including a former manager, who have big plans. While it will retain the same name and remain open through the end of the year, it will close for a major renovation in early 2007 and reopen with a new, yet-to-be-determined chef.
Chef Mitch Rosenthal gave notice last month so he can focus his attention on his other two properties, Town Hall and Salt House; Jordan Grosser (formerly of Campton Place) will replace him as chef de cuisine.
Doug Washington and the Rosenthal brothers have snapped up Harveen Khera, the former chef-owner of the now shuttered Tallula, to run the bar at their new tavern.ine, overseeing the day-to-day operations at his eponymous restaurant in the Westin St. Francis.
- Avenue G
- Grasshopper
- The Mandarin
- Socca Oven
- Zagora