The fall season kicks into gear this week as the Bay Area sees a slew of new restaurant openings:
On September 27th, John and Elena Duggan, whose grandfather founded the Tenderloin's long-running Original Joe's, will open Fish & Farm, a new surf 'n' turfer in the Hotel Mark Twain, just two blocks from Union Square (339 Taylor St.; 415-474-3474).
Meanwhile, South Beach will be getting a taste of Down Under when the Aussie-backed South: Food and Wine Bar debuts on October 1st. Luke Mangan, chef-owner of Glass Brasserie in the Hilton Sydney, will turn out authentic fare such as green-lipped mussels, barramundi fish, oysters, grass-fed sirloin and Kiwi lamb, while the decor will similarly reflect the bar’s provenance, with lots of jarrah (eucalyptus) and modern artwork (330 Townsend St.; 415-974-5599).
Also opening on the 1st is Sens, which will specialize in Southern Mediterranean cuisine (think Greek, North African and Turkish) from toque Michael Dotson (formally of Evvia). The wood-and-stone venue will feature local, sustainable produce and catch, along with biodynamic wines and desserts from pastry-chef-around-town Shunda Lydon, who’s CV includes French Laundry and Citizen Cake (4 Embarcadero Ctr.; 415-362-0645).
Finally, Cellar360 San Francisco, a wine and culinary education center in historic Ghirardelli Square, is also slated to open next week. It will offer over 200 global wines available for tasting and purchase, a gourmet charcuterie bar, alfresco dining, wine country concierge service, book signings and culinary classes through an alliance with Copia, the American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts (900 N. Point St.).