News for Restaurants in San Francisco March 2009 Archive Search / Openings / Closings / Chef Shuffle / News Bytes / Sign up for our free, monthly newsletter / News Archive Want to know who's doing what in your city? Gayot has the restaurant news you want to read on openings, closings, special events, and more. Learn everything you need to know about the restaurants in San Francisco here. RESTAURANT NEWS Openings The North Beach restaurant Washington Square Bar & Grill (the "Washbag") has reopened under new management. Or should we say re-reopened, as the venue, established in 1973 and once popular with the likes of Herb Caen, underwent a short-lived transformation in 2000 into the modern French restaurant Cobalt Tavern. In 2002, the original décor, bar, California-Italian food and vibe returned under owners Guy and Rose Ferri (Delfina), but then the restaurant closed again on New Year's Day, 2008. After more than a year of dormancy, Washbag patrons who feared yet another transformation can rest easy: new owners Liam and Susan Tiernan have chosen to stick with the original décor and classic formula of live jazz, white tablecloths, good cocktails and approachable fare such as steak, upscale burgers, fish and pastas. Decorative photos offer fun peeks at San Francisco history. Lunch & Dinner daily, Brunch Sat.-Sun. Washington Square Bar & Grill, 1707 Powell St., San Francisco, CA 94133, 415-982-8123.   March marked the opening of Joie de Vivre's newest property, midi, a stylish, California-French brasserie named for its "mid-district" location between the Financial District and Union Square. Helmed by former Ponzu executive chef Michelle Mah, the 2,500-square-foot, dual-level space features a full bar, showcase kitchen set behind glass, and striking, playful murals. Mah's menu includes items such as pan-fried veal sweetbreads with celery root purée and royal trumpet mushrooms, and duck confit with baby vegetables. At lunch, the "midi quartet" sampler ($19) includes four small, innovative courses designed for a quick but chic business lunch. Lunch & Dinner Mon.-Sat. midi, 185 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94104, 415-835-6400.   In Marin County, chef Heidi Krahling, owner of Insalata's in San Anselmo, has opened sister restaurant Marinitas just up the street. The menu features Mexican and Latin American flavors, a rustic, design-rich space evocative of mid-century Cuba by Michael Brennan, and no dish costs more than $17. Wines are mainly from Argentina and Chile, and cocktails feature Latin and Central American liquors, ingredients and preparations. Lunch & Dinner daily. Marinitas, 218 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA 94960, 415-454-8900.   Megan Ray's empire of Miette Confiserie & Patisserie sweet shops and pâtisseries has grown with the advent of a third location and new flagship store on Chestnut Street in the Marina District. Each of the sweetly designed storefronts is more precious than the next---Miette in Hayes Valley artfully displays nostalgic and world-class candy and chocolates, and the pâtisserie's first Ferry Building location features all manner of baked and iced confections. The third shop will combine the best of both. Open daily. Miette Confiserie & Patisserie, 2109 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123, 415-359-0628.   The Tipsy Pig gastro-tavern has opened in the former Bistro Yoffi space on Chestnut Street in the Marina. Poised to become an English-pub-style neighborhood gathering spot, the venue features a vintage bar, sunny back garden and rustic, comfortable interior---there's even a "library" dining room, with lots of warm wood, bookshelves and a wood stove. Food is updated classic American made with local, seasonal ingredients. The daily changing menu might include fried free-range chicken breast with buttermilk mash, gravy and collard greens, or maple-brined pork chop with apples, grain mustard sauce and hash made from Brussels sprouts and Yukon Golds. The bar menu features more than 50 beers on tap, but a children's menu (for hungry piglets) gives the restaurant family-friendly appeal. The pub's name comes from English tales of pigs enjoying one too many fermented apples in orchards during apple season. Dinner nightly. The Tipsy Pig, 2231 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123, 415-292-2300.   News Bytes Silver Lining At least the faltering economy has been kind in one way: superb restaurant deals. Even the city's top destinations are now willing to accommodate tighter wallets. Most recently, big-ticket Masa's has announced a three-course dégustation menu designed by chef Gregory Short. Priced at $55, the new option is featured alongside his six- and nine-course tasting menus, and for only $30 more wines are paired with the three courses by sommelier Alan Murray. Masa's, Hotel Vintage Court, 648 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94108, 415-989-7154.   Holy Cow On the heels of Waterbar's welcome new happy hour, neighbor and fellow Kuleto property EPIC Roasthouse has announced its own. The "Holy Cow" happy hour from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Friday, features a menu of $5 cocktails (including an updated Sazerac), $7 martinis, and a selection of $5 wines by the glass and $2 bottled beers. Bar bites begin at $3 and include homemade pretzels with smoked sea salt and grain mustard sauce, marinated olive salad, and confit of chicken drummettes with molasses blood orange barbecue sauce. Additionally, EPIC is now serving a three-pound burger with all accoutrements, paired with an ice-cold Budweiser and house-made brownie for $20 every day for lunch. Holy cow. EPIC Roasthouse, 369 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105, 415-369-9955.   Chef Shuffle Check back soon for more news. Closings Check back soon for more news. CULINARY EVENTS Want to learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area. View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in San Francisco Discover the top restaurants in the San Francisco/Bay Area for various cuisines and categories like sushi, steakhouses, happy hours, romantic dining and even gourmet food trucks. Find the best restaurants in SF here!

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