San Francisco : Deals/News/Events

Two More Nights of TWO

BuzzEditor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:54:00 GMT

Although he’s still hosting private parties, chef-owner David Gingrass has decided to close his SoMa restaurant TWO ahead of schedule, making way for its replacement, benu, in 2010. If you'd like one more meal at TWO, however, the last dinner service is tomorrow night, and there are still reservations available (415-777-9779).

No More Nouveau

BuzzEditor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:33:00 GMT

Not one to get into the Beaujolais spirit? You aren't alone. In fact, one contrarian wine merchant is hosting a no-holds-barred “No More Nouveau” wine tasting in honor of the big day, choosing instead to uncork the best of Cru Beaujolais wines from France’s top natural winemakers. On Thursday, November 19, Arlequin Wine Merchant, which is part of the Absinthe and Arlequin café trilogy in Hayes, will be celebrating what they call the “real” Beaujolais from award-winning Cru Beaujolais producers including Marcel Lapierre, Guy Breton, Pierre Chermette, Jean Paul Brun, Alain Coudert, John-Paul Thévenet and more. These wines are made using the so-called vieux (old) way, fermented on natural yeasts and bottled unfiltered, resulting in a wine that’s richer, broader and boasts denser reds than the Beaujolais Nouveau most wine drinkers are familiar with (6–8 PM; $15 per person; 384 Hayes St, all featured wines will be available for purchase at special event pricing).

For a taste of some less-nouveau Beaujolais, head over to RN74, where sommelier Ragat Parr won’t be pouring the new stuff, but rather will be opening a bountiful selection of Beaujolais from 2005–2008, available by the bottle or by the glass.

Gingerbread Wishes

BuzzEditor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:39:00 GMT

One Market's gingerbread kit

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

Here’s a fun and tasty way to channel your inner pastry chef: throughout the month of November, guests at Lark Creek Steak, Lark Creek Walnut Creek, One Market, Tavern at Lark Creek and Yankee Pier can decorate a star-shaped gingerbread cookie, and in the process, raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The cookies will be featured on the dessert menu during all meal services, cost $10 and are presented tableside with a decorating kit. Similar kits can also be ordered to-go, since every sweet adds up. The entirety of the proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and according to the restaurant group, it’s raised more than $32,000 through the annual Gingerbread Wishes campaign since 2007.

Getting Into That Beaujolais Spirit

BuzzEditor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:27:00 GMT

Photo: courtesy of FI:AF

Celebrating the release of the new Beaujolais vintage on the third Thursday in November is a Gallic tradition that local party-goers and wine buffs have long embraced. This year, the fresh run-off will be hitting our shores on November 19, and with it comes charcuterie and wine-fueled partying at French Quarter haunts like Café Bastille, Café Claude and Gitane, as well as at bistros and brasseries throughout the Bay Area. To add to the buzz, longtime producer Georges Duboeuf has already gone on record predicting the 2009 vintage will be one of the best Beaujolais vintages in the last 50 years.

Here are some more ways to partake in French savoir-vivre.

Roland Passot’s chain of Left Bank brasseries will be offering a range of à la carte specials along with the regular menu on the big day. In Menlo Park, highlights include pithiviers de canard (duck and pork with a port wine sauce, $10) and poire pochée au Beaujolais Nouveau (pear poached in Beaujolais with vanilla crème fraîche, $7) to go along with Mommessin wine. At the Santana Row outpost in San Jose, specials include saucisses grillées (housemade pork sausages, red-wine braised lentils and baby vegetables, $16), while at the Larkspur flagship, guests can order special courses like as sandre aux échalottes confites (walleye, shallot confit and savoy cabbage, $19.75) or craft their own three-course prix fixe from the holiday options ($36 per person). At all three locations, there will be Mommessin wine available by the glass ($6.50), carafe ($16.25) or bottle ($26) to round off the meal.

Vive le Nouveau at Grand Cafe, Downtown’s paean to La Coupole, which on November 19 will host an evening of festivities, starting with the official tapping of the wine barrel and a complimentary glass of the 2009 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau and appetizers at the bar. Celebrants then move on to the grand dining room for a three-course prix fixe (5:30–10 PM: $39 per person, $54 with recommended wine pairing; 415-292-0101).

For something more down-home but equally fun, Cole Valley’s Zazie will be decorated with grapes and red cloths while the staff and customers are encouraged to wear their most outrageous red outfits. A special three-course dinner will include le potimaroon for two (roasted sugar pie pumpkin filled with cheese fondue and toasted baguette), braised duck leg with dried plums and butternut squash and chestnut ravioli (seatings at 5:30 PM, 9:15 PM and 9:30 PM still available; $49 per person including pairings with three Beaujolais Nouveaus; to reserve call 415-564-5332).

Later that weekend, on November 21, the French American Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 28th annual La Soirée at the Hyatt Regency – an evening promising French food, first wines, dancing and silent auctions (5:30–9:30 PM: $60 per non-member, $50 per member; to purchase tickets, click here).

Also on November 21, the annual alfresco Parisian celebration at Café Fanny will happen in Berkeley, with a tent full of live music, food courtesy of former Chez Panisse and Eccolo chef Chris Lee and wines sold by Kermit Lynch (11 AM–4 PM; admission is free, but tipples and nibbles will be sold separately; 510-524-5447).

Thanksgiving '09: Outside SF

BuzzEditor — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:18:00 GMT

Lake Chalet

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

If you're not celebrating Thanksgiving in the city, consider enjoying your holiday feast at one of these Bay Area restaurants:

Marin and Wine Country

Bardessono

6526 Yount St., Yountville; 707-204-6030

Details are still being worked out, but this eco-chic Yountville New American promises a traditional Thanksgiving menu served family-style (noon–8 PM; $55 per adult, $25 per child 10 and under).

Brix

7377 St. Helena Hwy., Napa; 707-944-2749

Chef Anne Gingrass-Paik will prepare a garden-to-table, three-course prix fixe at this Napa Cal-Med – think roast turkey with fennel sausage and sourdough stuffing with Brussels sprouts, yams and cranberry sauce (2–8 PM; $62 per adult, $20 per child; wine pairings available for an additional $35 per person).

Dry Creek Kitchen

317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg; 707-431-0330

Charlie Palmer’s New American in Healdsburg is offering a three-course holiday menu with leg “torchon” and roasted breast, accompanied by a cherry marmalade and sourdough stuffing gratin, plus starters like pork belly "Napoleon" and ahi carpaccio. Bonus: if you tote in local Sonoma wine, the corkage fee is waived (2–7 PM; $65 per person).

Left Bank

507 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur; 415-927-3331

Like its Santana Row and Menlo Park brethren, the Larkspur flagship of this French chainlet will be serving a four-course prix fixe that ranges from a traditional turkey spread to more Franco-inspired fare like smoked rack of pork with celery root mousseline, plus a vegetarian-friendly autumn risotto with seasonal mushroom fricassee. Limited à la carte options and a kids' menu will also be available (noon–8 PM; $39.75 per person).

Poggio

777 Bridgeway, Sausalito; 415-332-7771

Mangia Italian-style at this Sausalito trattoria whose prix fixe menu will showcase the fall vegetable harvest from its own organic garden. The meal, available throughout the day, begins with a choice of starters followed by free-range turkey cooked two ways and served with traditional sides (11:30 AM–9:30 PM; $45 per person).

Tavern at Lark Creek

234 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur; 415-924-7766

Heritage turkey is the main star of the meal at this reinvented Larkspur restaurant, where new chef Randy Lewis prepares a three-course prix fixe with options for each course, including fall squash soup topped with a ginger beer–sage sabayon and a pork chop with dried cranberry tapenade and oven roasted potatoes (noon–8 PM; $59 per adult, $24 per child 10 and under, free for children under three).

Yankee Pier

multiple locations

Sure, you can get your plate-o' turkey with the fixings at this New England–style seafooder's four locations, but you can also break with tradition by ordering a boiled whole Maine lobster, available as part of this three-course T-Day menu (1–8 PM; $39 per adult, $19.95 per child 10 and under, free for children under three).

East Bay

Five

2086 Allston Way, Berkeley; 510-845-7300

At the newly renovated Hotel Shattuck Plaza, chef Scott Howard’s sustainable, local à la carte menu includes starters like braised pork belly with gigante beans, while mains include a smoked glazed pork chop, petrale sole with Dungeness crab mashed potatoes and, of course, roasted turkey with yukon potato purée, chestnut stuffing and gravy (seatings at 3, 5 and 7 PM).

Lake Chalet

1520 Lakeside Dr., Oakland; 510-208-5253

With its plentiful sunshine and lake views, this Oakland newcomer in the Lake Merritt Boathouse will be serving an all-day buffet featuring roasted turkey, prime rib and grilled salmon with traditional sides including stuffing, cranberry sauce, candied yams, glazed carrots, pecan salad and mashed potatoes, plus pumpkin and pecan pie (10 AM–10 PM; $32 per adult, $16 per child 11 and under, $26 per senior).

Lark Creek Walnut Creek

1360 Locust St., Walnut Creek; 925-256-1234

Thanksgiving is a no-brainer at this Walnut Creek American, where chef Scott Wall will roll out a three-course menu with Dungeness crab cakes, roast turkey with garlic mashed potatoes, sage cornbread stuffing, candied yams, giblet gravy and cranberry sauce. The all-American wine list makes it easy to keep to the patriot theme (1–8 PM; $49 per adult, $25 per child 10 and under, free for children under three).

Miss Pearl’s Jam House

1 Broadway, Oakland; 510-444-7171

Forget the Parker rolls and bland turkey, and opt instead for Jamaican skillet bread, spiced sweet potato fries and jerk chicken at Joey Altman's Caribbean spot in Jack London Square (noon–9 PM; à la carte only).

Picán

2295 Broadway, Oakland; 510-834-1000

At this Southern restaurant in Uptown, the four-course, family-style meal includes pecan wood–smoked turkey, mustard-glazed ham, corn spoonbread, oyster, crawfish and andouille stuffing, sweet potato gratin and a serve-yourself dessert bar (seatings at 11 AM, 1 and 3 PM; $49 per adult, $25 per child 12 and under).

South

Aquarius

175 W. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz; 831-460-5012

Panoramic ocean views and surfer-chic decor complete a picture-perfect setting for Turkey Day at this modern American bistro in the newly renovated Santa Cruz Dream Inn. As for the meal, options on the three-course prix fixe include herb-roasted turkey and Angus prime rib, both served with three accompaniments (2–9 PM; $35 per person; à la carte menu also available).

LB Steak

334 Santana Row, San Jose; 408-244-1180

At Roland Passot’s Santana Row steakhouse, in addition to a limited à la carte menu, there will be two four-course prix fixes available. One features roasted turkey breast with leg confit, leeks served with chanterelles, Brussels sprouts with lardoons and cranberry relish ($22.50 per person), while the other showcases Omaha prime rib of beef au jus with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, fall vegetables gâteau and horseradish cream sauce ($30 per person). Both menus come with soup, salad and dessert (noon–8 PM).

Madera

2825 Sand Hill Rd., Menlo Park; 650-561-1500

At this Menlo Park New American, chef Peter Rudolph will serve a three-course holiday menu with choices including braised pheasant leg, rotisserie turkey breast stuffed with porcini and turkey sausage, sides like carrots, salsify and nettles and a crab apple crostada. Want wine with that? Recommendations for each course will be available (11 AM–9 PM; $95 per person).

Plumed Horse

14555 Big Basin Way, Saratoga; 408-867-4711

Diners can trot to this tony Saratoga Californian for a prix fixe menu of traditional Thanksgiving offerings plus some of the restaurant's signature dishes (3–8 PM; $80 per person).

Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay

1 Miramontes Point Rd., Half Moon Bay; 650-712-7000

The Ritz is offering an array of options. A daytime Harvest Brunch, accompanied by a live jazz trio, will be served in the ballroom (noon–5 PM; $98 per adult, $49 per child five–12, free for children four and under; includes admission to the "Family Fun Zone"). The hotel's flagship Navio restaurant will serve a four-course sit-down dinner (1–9 PM; $108 per person, includes a bag of homemade pumpkin cookies to go). Finally, a Thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the trimmings can be enjoyed in The Conservatory Lounge from noon–9 PM ($32 per person).

Tailgating at Acme

BuzzEditor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:12:00 GMT

Still looking for a place to watch the game tonight? Tailgate in style (and inside) at Acme Chophouse during tonight's home game against the Chicago Bears. From 4:30–10 PM, the restaurant’s bar and lounge area will offer happy-hour specials, including $3 draft beers, $4 select wines by the glass and $5 specialty cocktails, plus $5 snacks for munching (415-644-0240).

Farming Out Arelquin

BuzzEditor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:27:00 GMT

Arlequin is the latest restaurant to open a booth at the Thursday farmer's market at the Ferry Building Marketplace. Conveniently located next to Blue Bottle Coffee’s stand (for the ultimate synergy), the booth features weekly changing baked goods from executive pastry chef Luis Villavelazquez and sous-chef Carrie Collins (who also provide pastries for Absinthe). Look for fare like beignets filled with nutella, custard and maple bacon, kabosu lime–filled coconut cupcakes and an assortment of vegan cupcakes and cookies.

Turkey Time: Thanksgiving '09

BuzzEditor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:50:00 GMT

Photo: Ion Sokhos

A Thanksgiving dinner where you don't have to clean up afterward is truly something to be thankful about. The following restaurants are offering meals for gobbling on November 26.

Ame

689 Mission St.; 415-284-4040

Let Hiro be your hero this Thanksgiving day, when in addition to his regular menu, chef Sone offers a special five-course tasting menu at his SoMa spot in the St. Regis. The menu is still being finalized, but options being mulled include tuna tartare, roasted squash soup, seared Hokkaido scallops and the pièce de résistance , a turkey “porchetta” (4–8 PM; $85 per person; wine pairings cost an additional $65).

Americano

8 Mission St.; 415-278-3777

Only “good, clean and fair” ingredients will go into chef Paul Arenstam’s Slow Food–inspired meal at this Downtown venue. The three-course meal includes roasted butternut squash soup with crème fraîche and Dungeness crab and a family-style Thanksgiving platter filled with all-natural heritage turkey, Brussels sprouts with lemon confit and chestnuts, Hog Island oyster and fennel sausage stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes and cranberry-orange relish. Good thing the Embarcadero is right across the street so you can walk some of it off afterward (seatings still available at 2:30 and 3 PM; $85 per adult, $35 per child under 12; additional wine pairings cost $25).

Beach Chalet Brewery and Park Chalet

1000 Great Hwy.; 415-386-8439

Admire the crashing surf of the Pacific while downing freshly brewed suds or bubbly Cali-style at these twin restaurants situated at the western tip of San Francisco. In addition to the traditional bird, the Beach Chalet offers choices like rack of lamb, dayboat scallops and vegetarian pasta as part of its three-course prix fixe (noon–10 PM; $39 per adult, $19 per child under 12), while the Park Chalet will be offering a bottomless champagne buffet featuring traditional favorites and alternatives like peel-and-eat shrimp, Caesar salad, house-smoked salmon flatbread and chocolate-dipped strawberries (noon–10 PM; $39 per adult, $19 per child under 12).

Epic Roasthouse

369 The Embarcadero; 415-369-9955

This waterfront roasthouse is a strong contender for an epic Thanksgiving meal, offering a four-course dinner full of choices. If wood-oven-roasted Branigan turkey with andouille stuffing and fixings isn’t your thing, there’s also pan-roasted Maine scallops or pumpkin gnocchi, while desserts include warm apple tart with vanilla-whipped mascarpone and persimmon pudding laced with spiced pecans, bourbon ice cream and caramel sauce. Finally, a turkey sandwich "with the works" is available to-go for $20 (1:30–6:30 PM; $85 per adult; $40 per child 12 and under; supplemental wine pairings cost $35).

Garibaldi’s on Presidio

347 Presidio Ave.; 415-563-8841

At this Pac Heights mainstay offering a three-course prix fixe, traditionalists can enjoy roast Diestel turkey with all the trimmings, while those wanting something else can opt for grilled New York steak, gnocchi or halibut (1:30–7:30 PM; $60 per person).

Michael Mina

335 Powell St.; 415-397-9222

The details for Mina's three-course menu haven’t been worked out yet, but don't delay if interested, as reservations will surely get booked quickly (4:30–9 PM; $125 per person).

Millennium

580 Geary St.; 415-345-3900

The bird isn't the word at this Downtown vegetarian, which claims Thanksgiving is its biggest day of the year. Feast on a five-course meal featuring housemade walnut bread, roasted chestnuts, barley–wild rice risotto, truffled potato custard, gingerbread ice cream and more (2–8 PM; $60 per adult, $30 per child under 12).

One Market Restaurant

1 Market St.; 415-777-5577

In addition to roasted Willie Bird turkey with cornbread stuffing, root vegetables and shallot-thyme gravy, chef Mark Dommen's three-course menu offers fare like mushroom risotto with herb salad, pumpkin soup with marshmallows and a roasted fall-squash skewer. We’re betting that with pumpkin brioche bread pudding, you’ll never miss the pie (1–8 PM; $59 per person, $29 per child 10 and under, free for children under three).

Palio d’Asti

640 Sacramento St.; 415-395-9800

Guests will say grazie mille at this Downtown Italian throwing down a holiday spread with mains such as braised turkey doused with a bourbon-gin gravy, grilled wild boar chops, osso buco and pumpkin ravioli with Brussels sprouts, along with a selection of dolci for dessert (3–8 PM; $59 per adult; children 13 and younger pay their age).

supperclub

657 Harrison St.; 415-348-0900

Typically, you want to climb into bed after you’ve pigged out on Thanksgiving. At this SoMa supper club, guests are encouraged to enjoy the whole darn four-course meal in the on-site beds. There will also be the usual DJs, special performances and antics (7:30 PM; $55 per person).

Vitrine

125 Third St., 4th fl.; 415-284-4049

In honor of the holiday, chef Romuald Feger will offer three fall-inspired specials in addition to his regular brunch menu, including roasted organic turkey breast with sweet potato and banana mousseline, cranberry sauce and cornbread; red kuri squash soup with roasted fall vegetables; and "Grandma’s" pumpkin pie (11 AM–2 PM; dishes priced à la carte).

Zagat To Go, Now On Android

BuzzEditor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:29:00 GMT

Finally, something that both the iPhone and the Droid does: Zagat To Go, our popular smartphone application for finding ratings and reviews of over 40,000 restaurants, hotels, nightlife and shopping worldwide, has come to Google's Android phone OS. And not only can you search for your favorite spots, the home-screen widget will offer you a randomly selected nearby restaurant for you to try. To get the app, which costs just $9.99, point your finger to the Android Marketplace.

Don't Pupu This

BuzzEditor — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:38:00 GMT

As part of its ongoing Monday night prixe fixe special, the otherwise sophisticated Jardinière is letting down its hair and going a little tiki-tacky on Monday, November 9, laying out a three-course spread that begins with – what else? – an updated pupu platter (chicken wings, seafood poke and hearts of palm spring rolls), followed by a banana leaf–steamed cod, pork belly and pineapple rice and a passion-fruit tartlet. All three courses come with specially paired wines, but what would a tiki bar be without some massive, vintage tropical drinks. To that end, the restaurant has invited bar impresario Martin Cate (of Forbidden Island in Alameda, and the forthcoming Smuggler’s Cove) to guest bar-tend for the evening ($45 per person, reservations are encouraged, and can be made online or at 415-861-5555).

Primal Napa

BuzzEditor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:18:00 GMT

Animal roast at last year's Primal event

Photo: courtesy of Primal Napa

Are butchers the new celebs? Find out yourself on November 7 when meat mavens Chris Cosentino (Incanto, Boccalone), Staffan Terje (Perbacco), Taylor Boetticher (Fatted Calf), Scott Boggs (Hudson Ranch), Ryan Farr (4505 Meats), Tia Harrison and Melanie Eismann (Avedano’s), and Jesse Schwartzburg (Star Meats) sharpen their blades and prepare a wine-paired barbecue of heritage meats over hardwood fire at Chase Cellar’s Hayne Vineyard in Napa. Before that, the Primal Napa chefs will take to the stage for a series on how to cook with different types of wood, as well as not-for-the-squeamish demos on breaking down a whole pig, cow, goat and lamb. Those who splurge for VIP tickets will be rewarded with wood-fired oysters, Benton’s bacon and grilled artisan cheeses, plus reserve wines and cocktails by Alembic’s Daniel Hyatt (2–7 PM; general admission $65; VIP $100; held outdoors, rain or shine, at 2252 Sulphur Springs, St. Helena; to buy tickets, call 404-849-3569 or visit www.artofthebutcher.com).

Nick's New Nibbles

BuzzEditor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:18:00 GMT

Nick's Cove

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

Every Thursday and Friday night at the bar, Pat Kuleto's Californian Nick's Cove is running a special three-course "Local’s Combo" for $15, available at the bar only. What are the three courses? We're glad you asked. The menu consists of three barbecued oysters, the house-ground burger with hand-cut French fries and a draft beer. Yep, you read that right: they’re counting a pint as the third course. For those craving a little more to eat, the restaurant has also introduced Maine Lobster Sliders (two for $12), available at the bar and in the dining room (415-723-1071).

Cooking With Coco

BuzzEditor — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:15:00 GMT

David Chang's pork neck with succotash

Photo and recipe: courtesy of Phaidon Press

For its latest cookbook, Coco, Phaidon Press turned to 10 world-leading chefs – Ferran Adrià, Mario Batali, Shannon Bennett, Alain Ducasse, Fergus Henderson, Yoshihiro Murata, Gordon Ramsay, René Redzepi, Alice Waters and Jacky Yu – to each pick 10 contemporary chefs from around the world. In turn, each of those chefs then wrote a menu and recipes for the book. The final product is more than 400 pages of gorgeous photographs, mouthwatering recipes and interesting tidbits from kitchens around the world. Want a taste? After the jump, get the recipe for pork neck with succotash from New York chef David Chang (of the Momofuku empire).

Pork Neck with Succotash
Serves 4
Recipe by David Chang

For the pork neck
300 g kosher salt
270 g sugar
6 liters hot water
2 bay leaves
25 g black peppercorns
6 liters cold water
10 g pink salt
1 pork neck

Mix the salt, sugar, hot water, bay leaves, and black peppercorns.
Mix the cold water with the pink salt.
Add the pork neck and confit 5 hours at 300°F (150°C) covered.
When tender, press between 2 sheet trays. Portion into serving size pieces.
Crisp on a griddle or pan to heat through.

For the succotash
100 g ground (minced) smoked, think-cut pork belly
12 g chanterelle mushrooms
250 g lima (butter) beans
175 g corn (sweetcorn) kernels
Butter for sautéing
1 tbsp tarragon, chopped
4 ml buttermilk
120 g butter
130 g arugula (rocket)

Sauté the pork belly, chanterelles, lima beans, and corn in a pan.
Finish with a pinch of salt and pepper, chopped tarragon, buttermilk, butter, and arugula.

Who's Breaking Out Breakfast?

BuzzEditor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:11:00 GMT

Sure, you can always line up for a Breton-style crêpe or greasy plate of Tex-Mex grub at one of Zagat’s top-rated breakfast joints, but there are two new players in the midweek breakfast game. Rather than brave the crowds at the insanely crowded Tartine, why not head a few blocks over to sibling Bar Tartine, where you can now carbo-load on chef Chris Kronner’s newly launched “Good Morning Breakfast” menu, served every Wednesday–Friday, from 8–11 AM. Founder Liz Prueitt has developed some in-house breads and pastries (mmm, apple fritters) along with house-fermented yogurt to make it worth your while.

Likewise, savvy diners can enjoy Charles Phan’s culinary prowess, minus the epic Slanted Door waits, at his new Out the Door outpost in Upper Fillmore, where he’s serving the likes of housemade coconut pulled bread and beignets with Vietnamese coffee, along with more American-style fare such as buttermilk pancakes with Fuji apple butter and bacon-smoked maple syrup and poached eggs with brisket and potatoes (Monday–Friday from 8 AM–11 AM, as well as weekend brunch; 415-923-9575).

Speaking of Charles Phan, there’s been plenty of talk about cocktail specials during happy hour at Heaven’s Dog, but we stumbled on a daytime deal at the SoMa Chinese. In addition to the regular small and larger plates, the lunch menu now offers a half-dozen $7 lunch plates featuring dan dan noodles, spicy seafood soup and "Timmy’s Beef." That’s practically the price you’ll pay at the nearby Subway (11 AM–5 PM; 415-863-6008).

ZAGAT.mobi, Now With Your Tweets

BuzzEditor — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:33:00 GMT

Read the latest Twitter entries on ZAGAT.mobi

ZAGAT.mobi just got Twitter-fied. Now when you look up restaurants on our award-winning mobile website, not only can you access our trusted ratings and reviews, you can also read up-to-the-minute comments about the restaurant on Twitter. You don't have to download or install anything to get in on the fun – simply visit ZAGAT.mobi on any web-enabled phone, be it an iPhone, a BlackBerry or a Pre, and see what people are saying about your favorite spot. Now that's something to tweet about.