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Openings

Chef Michael Chiarello, Emmy-winning tastemaker behind NapaStyle and Chiarello Family Vineyards, and founding chef of Tra Vigne restaurant, is going to open a new signature restaurant in fall 2008. Located within the V Marketplace complex in Yountville, the yet-to-be-named restaurant will celebrate Chiarello’s signature cuisine and entertaining style as well as farm-to-table regional ingredients. V Marketplace is an historic retail complex featuring a collection of upscale specialty shops, galleries, restaurants, a wine cellar and tasting bar and the Napa Valley's original hot air balloon company. 6525 Washington St., Yountville.

Chez Papa Resto, the latest in the Bulow/Maktub portfolio, is now open in Mint Plaza. David Bazirgan has put together the menu of French Provencal bistro-inspired fare; there are also 23 wines by the glass, and 150 bottle selections on the list. The interior features a black and orange color scheme, plus Murano glass chandeliers, rosewood burl tabletops, a spacious bar, and a chef's table made of antique glass. There is also outdoor seating for 88 on the plaza—heat lamps are coming soon, lunch is too. Dinner nightly 5:30 p.m.–11 p.m. (10 p.m. on Sunday). Chez Papa Resto, 414 Jessie St. between Mission and Market near Fifth, San Francisco, 415-546-4134.

Local stalwart Moose’s recently underwent a big remodel, but now it’s becoming something else entirely. Joseph Manzare (Globe, Tres Agaves, Pescheria, Zuppa) and his business partner Eddie Maiello have bought the North Beach landmark, and are transforming it into their dream East Coast-style Italian restaurant, Joey & Eddie’s. Look for old-school classics like pastas with red or white sauce, stuffed artichokes, shrimp scampi, spaghetti and meatballs, and veal saltimbocca. The goal is low prices, but more food—and to create a place where you can eat with your family without spending a lot of money. While the actual launch of the new name and concept won’t happen until the end of April or beginning of May, Moose’s is remaining open. Moose’s, 1652 Stockton St. at Union, 415-989-7800.

Geared toward those with a sweet tooth, a new dessert lounge called Candybar has just opened in the Western Addition neighborhood. The menu from pastry chef Jake Godby features bite-sized confections like chocolate brioche with balsamic caramel and spiced ice cream, along with suggested wine, microbrew and Blue Bottle coffee pairings. Candybar, 1335 Fulton Street at Divisadero, San Francisco, 415-673-7078.

Things are getting close for Anchor & Hope, the anticipated third project from the folks behind Town Hall and Salt House: Mitchell and Steven Rosenthal and Doug Washington. The opening of this upscale East Coast seafood house is looking like mid-April, and Sarah Schafer from the former Frisson will be running the kitchen, serving some classics like oysters and other shellfish and a lobster roll, plus some non-traditional dishes too. The space is like a big barn, with wood floors and rustic tables, with seats for 60–80, a communal table, and counter seating as well. Lunch and dinner will be served daily. Anchor & Hope, 83 Minna St. at First Street, San Francisco.

Thierry Clement, the former executive chef of Fringale in SoMa, opened his own project, L’Ardoise, in early March in the Castro neighborhood. The 38-seat corner bistro was designed by Michael Brennan. The tight menu will rotate dishes on and off the blackboard (that's what the name means), but for now, some specialties include seafood ravioli, salads, charcuterie, barramundi, duck confit, hanger steak and frites, and osso buco. Open Tues.–Sun. for dinner, 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m. L’Ardoise, 151 Noe St. at Henry, San Francisco, 415-437-2600.

A new sushi and sake restaurant has opened called Tataki Sushi & Sake Bar. The petite and sleek 25-seat space was formerly a Subway. The menu is more California-Japanese than traditional, with a variety of tataki and maki rolls, plus some premium sakes as well. Hours are Mon.-Thurs. 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 5:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., closed Sunday. Lunch is coming soon. Tataki Sushi & Sake Bar, 2815 California St. at Divisadero Street, San Francisco, 415-931-1182.

Although chef Joseph Humphrey has left The Restaurant at Meadowood, you will be able to find him acting as the executive chef at the new restaurant Murray Circle, opening at Cavallo Point—The Lodge at the Golden Gate, in historic Fort Baker in Sausalito which is slated to open this summer. Taking Humphrey’s place at Meadowood is Christopher Kostow, the chef from Mountain View’s Chez TJ (938 Villa St., 650-964-7466).

Personality Hotels has signed a deal to partner with Food Network culinary star Tyler Florence to open a restaurant in Hotel Vertigo (currently the York Hotel). This will be Florence’s first restaurant, and is scheduled to open this summer in the hotel’s former Empire Plush Room space. The 97-room York Hotel is currently undergoing a $5 million renovation spearheaded by L.A.-based Thomas Schoos Design, Inc., and upon completion in Summer 2008, the York Hotel will be renamed Hotel Vertigo after Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 classic thriller starring James Stewart and Kim Novak (Novak’s character lived in the York Hotel during the last half of the film). 940 Sutter St. at Leavenworth Street, San Francisco.

Craig and Anne Stoll are opening a second Pizzeria Delfina by May in the Fillmore District. It will be moving into the Zao Noodle Bar space—since it’s twice the size of the current pizzeria, it will have about 44 seats and a wood-burning oven will be installed in this location. Pizzeria Delfina, 2406 California St. at Fillmore Street, San Francisco.

The Dogpatch soul food-comfort food outpost, Hard Knox Café, is opening a second location in the Richmond by the end of March or early April in the former Greco Romana space. The menu will mostly be the same, but the venue will be twice as large as the current location, about 85 seats, and with the same roadhouse décor. Hard Knox Café, 2448 Clement St. at 26th Avenue, San Francisco.

Opening soon in the Fillmore is a new wine bar called Wine Jar in the former Trio Café space. The modern-looking wine bar and lounge will have about 150 wines, with 60 percent from California, mostly hard-to-find or smaller production wines, and the rest will be international. There will be 25 or so available by the glass, ranging from $7–$18, and a variety of half bottles, too. The wine director is Julie Henderson, who was a buyer at California Wine Merchant, and is also the GM and wine director of Wellington’s Wine Bar in Sausalito. Small bites will be served and desserts will be featured prominently. The bar will have room for 16, with another 20 or so seats for lounge-style seating with tables. Hours will be Tues.–Sun. 3 p.m.–11:30 p.m. or midnight. Wine Jar, 1870 Fillmore St. at Bush Street, San Francisco, 415-567-0843.

The owners of Isa in the Marina, Luke and Kitty Sung, will be opening Domo on March 18 in Hayes Valley. The casual neighborhood spot will feature a menu of traditional sushi. Luke’s high school friend, Ku Wa, will be the sushi chef. The petite place will have 20 seats, with room for eight at the bar. Look for lunch and dinner six or maybe even seven nights a week, and hours for now are 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Domo, 511 Laguna St. at Linden Street, San Francisco.

The Cottage Eatery in Tiburon is a first-time venture by the husband and wife team of Ed Carew and Jennifer Rebman. Carew previously cooked in New York at Gramercy Tavern (where he met Jennifer), Craft (sous chef) and Fiamma (chef d’ cuisine), and locally at Florio Cafe & Bar. Until recently, Jennifer was the general manager at ’wichcraft, Tom Colicchio’s upscale sandwich shop at San Francisco's Westfield Centre. The food highlights Carew’s experience in regional Italian and French cuisine, and draws on the fresh ingredients from local farmers markets and small specialty purveyors. The Cottage Eatery, 114 Main St., Tiburon, 415-789-5636.

San Francisco chef Yahya Salih has reopened his restaurant YaYa Cuisine—Nomad Style, this time in Burlingame. The restaurant includes indoor and outdoor courtyard dining, a full bar and a special events room. The dishes are inspired by the foods in the lands along the Mediterranean Sea traveled by the nomadic Bedouin tribes. The cuisine is served in the traditional way of more than one dish on each plate. Each nomad-style entrée is plated with three unique but complementary dishes paired with salata, which is a salad of diced cucumber, tomato, lettuce and radish dressed in sumac and rosewater vinaigrette. Several of his entrées from his previous restaurants will remain on the menu as well, like grilled eggplant with pomegranate sauce. Live music will be at the bar Friday and Saturday evenings, with no cover charge, and fortune tellers will be available for Turkish coffee grind readings on Sundays. The restaurant is open daily for lunch 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., dinner Sun.–Thurs., 5 p.m.–9 p.m. and Fri.–Sat., 5 p.m.–10 p.m., happy hour bar menu daily 4 p.m.–6 p.m., brunch Sat.–Sun., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. YaYa Cuisine—Nomad Style, 1108 Burlingame Ave. at California Street, Burlingame, 650-344-2860.

Anjan and Emily Mitra of Dosa will be opening a second location in the lower Fillmore, in a former bank that is across the street from the Kabuki. The opening is slated for the end of summer or fall in 2008. The 5,800-square-foot restaurant will have around 120 seats, and space for private dining. Dosa will serve dinner and weekend lunch, focusing on authentic regional Indian dishes, and will also have an expanded wine list. Dosa, 1700 Fillmore St. at Post Street, San Francisco.

Mono Restaurant, located in the Jack London Square area of Oakland, will open in February with breakfast and lunch. The lunch menu will feature house-made soups, sandwiches, salads, and box-lunch specials available for eat-in or take-away via a convenient sidewalk take-out window. Dinner service will begin in March with a globally inspired and seasonally changing small plates menu sourced from local purveyors. An exhibition charcuterie and cheese bar, plus a raw oyster bar will be featured. In case you were wondering, Mono means “monkey” in Spanish and is the executive chef/co-owner (and husband) Todd Wilson’s nickname for his wife, general manager/co-owner Eloisa Castillo. Wilson is the former chef de cuisine of AsiaSF and The Public, and Castillo is formerly of Myth and Cortez. Mono Restaurant, 247 Fourth St. at Alice Street, Oakland.

Luce, a celebrity wine restaurant at the new InterContinental San Francisco, takes its name from the well-known Frescobaldi Super Tuscan and will showcase the entire Frescobaldi portfolio of fine wines. Michael Mondavi, son of Napa Valley viticultural pioneer Robert Mondavi and founder of Folio Fine Wine Partners, has also been instrumental in the development of Luce. The concept is made possible through Mondavi’s new partnership with the InterContinental. Selected to run the kitchen at Luce is executive chef Dominique Crenn. Crenn has worked with pioneering chef Jeremiah Tower at Stars, and will offer a style of Californian farm fresh cuisine and traditional European techniques in her dishes. There will be a casual bite at Bar 888, a six-course tasting menu, and a four-course farm-to-table tasting menu. Look for alluring décor that is urban and sophisticated, yet inviting and unpretentious. There will be floor-to-ceiling windows dressed in sheer gold metallic curtains, tables dressed in fine mauve-hued Italian linen, bubble-like pendant lamps, hand-blown in Italy, and dark tropical wood accents, while walls are lined with artistic images of the Frescobaldi vineyards in Tuscany. In addition to the 130-seat restaurant is Bar 888, which will feature one of the most extensive selections of grappa in America, plus specialty grappa-based drinks created by master mixologist Francesco Lafranconi. Luce will have a 200-label list, overseen by sommelier Helen Roy, and will offer approximately twenty wines by the glass. Look for a late February opening, when the entire InterContinental opens. Luce, 888 Howard St., San Francisco, 415-616-6566.

Many Pacific Heights residents have wondered what will be moving into the long-empty Fillmore Grill space. This spring will bring the opening of The Long Bar & Bistro, a classic-looking establishment inspired by old-school hotel bars. Owner Alan Walsh was formerly a bartender at Campton Place Restaurant, Pebble Beach and the Park Hyatt. There will be a 30-foot mahogany bar, dark woods, ceiling fans, and other classic touches in the 80-seat dining room. There will also be outdoor seating under heated awnings. Details about the chef and menu are forthcoming. The Long Bar & Bistro, 1301 Fillmore St. at Clay Street, San Francisco.

Franck LeClerc, owner of Café Claude, is not only busy with his upcoming restaurant, Gitane (slated to open in April), but he now has a third project coming on Claude Lane: Cinque, Italian Wine Bar & Restaurant. (Cinque is Italian for five, which is the address of the wine bar.) Look for fresh pasta influenced by the Emilia-Romagna region, thirty wines by the glass, and both indoor and outdoor seating and a sleek look. Lunch and dinner will be served six days a week. The opening date has not been set yet, but for now, 2008. Cinque, Italian Wine Bar & Restaurant, 5 Claude Ln. at Bush Street, San Francisco.

A new addition in the Mission is Cava22, a Spanish-French-Latino fusion restaurant that moved into the former Bahia Restaurant space. Chef Roman Beltran has worked at Coco500, Dry Creek Kitchen and Splendido. The full bar has an impressive selection of fifty-plus tequilas, with even more handcrafted tequilas to come. The building was repainted, and the interior is spacious and rustic, with wood tables and warm tones. Owners are Ramon Valle, his brother Samuel Valle and Roger Magaña. Hours are Mon.–Thurs. 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m., and until 11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., with brunch 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Sat.–Sun. The bar is open later Thurs.–Sat. Cava22, 3239 22nd St. at Mission Street, San Francisco, 415-642-7224.

The partners behind Salt House and Town Hall, brothers Mitchell and Steven Rosenthal and Doug Washington, are going to be opening a fish shack and raw bar called Anchor and Hope. The 88-seat space is in SOMA, in an old warehouse that is close to both restaurants. Look for an opening by spring. Anchor and Hope, 83 Minna St., at Second Street, San Francisco.

Open in the basement of Macy’s Union Square is Frontera Fresco, a new quick-casual spot from Chicago’s Rick Bayless, the chef-owner of both Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. This is Bayless’s first venture outside of Chicago. The menu of Mexican street food includes tortas, huaraches, handmade tamales, quesadillas, and fresh-made salsas and guacamole.

A new restaurant, Ristorante Brio, has opened in downtown Burlingame in the former Pisces space. Pino Spinoso, a San Francisco restaurateur, is behind the eatery, along with partner Giuseppe Scoppetta and partner-general manager Gino LaMotta. The menu is focused on seasonal Italian cuisine prepared with fresh, often locally sourced and organic ingredients. Dishes include black peppered pappardelle with wild mushrooms and wild boar ragoût; saffron and porcini mushroom risotto with radicchio di Treviso and orange; and crispy chicken al mattone with roasted potatoes and vegetables. Virtually all the pasta served is house-made. The chef de cuisine is Giancarlo Bortolotti, who was most recently the chef-owner of Mangiafuoco. The international wine list is focused on Italian and California selections, with more than 300 options, and about 20 available by the glass. There is also a full bar. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. for lunch, and 5 p.m.–11:30 p.m. for dinner. Ristorante Brio, 1190 California Dr., near Broadway, Burlingame, 650-348-6615.

San Francisco’s Café Maritime has opened Maritime East in Berkeley, in the former Zax Tavern space, providing a casual yet sophisticated addition to the East Bay dining scene. Look for a menu of sustainable seafood, plus pizzas, and a raw bar with American caviar, Dungeness crab and seasonal seafood crudo. East Bay resident Sophina Uong is heading the kitchen—she opened as part-owner of Berkeley’s 900 Grayson. The menu is served late, until midnight Tuesday through Thursday, and until 1 a.m. on weekends (Sunday until 10 p.m.). There is also a pre-performance friendly “Easy Hour” in the bar from 5 p.m.–7 p.m. every night with all drinks served on coasters that are actual $2 bills. Maritime East will eventually be adding weekend brunch which will feature some of chef Uong’s signature fare such as wood-fired lobster Thermidor, grilled house-made seafood sausages and wood-fired egg dishes. Maritime East, 2826 Telegraph Avenue between Stuart and Oregon, Berkeley, 510-848-9299.

Bar Jules in Hayes Valley offers market-fresh and organic Cal-European dishes on a limited menu (there are just a few appetizers and entrées offered per night). The owner is Jessica Boncutter, who has worked at Zuni Café and Hog Island Oyster Company at the Ferry Building Marketplace; in the kitchen also is Carol Bever, a 20-year Zuni veteran whom Boncutter met while working there. The space has bright colored walls, imported woven bistro chairs and stools, and an open kitchen. Open Tues.–Sat. for dinner, and Sun. for a late-running brunch, with plans to open for lunch in January 2008. Bar Jules, 609 Hayes St. at Laguna Street, San Francisco, 415-621-5482.

Yoshi's, a 28,000-square-foot two-story club and restaurant, and sister to the Oakland location, is slated to open November 28 in San Francisco with much fanfare and of course, jazz. Executive chef Shotaro “Sho” Kamio’s seasonal menu of Japanese “creative” cuisine will comprise small plates and sushi, and will integrate many cooking styles, from robata to shabu-shabu. The pastry chef is Marisa Churchill, who many know from “Top Chef”—an example of her desserts includes warm cinnamon sugar Okinawan donuts with a Japanese whiskey milkshake. Dinner and jazz will be served up nightly. Yoshi's, 1330 Fillmore St., at Eddy Street, San Francisco, 415-655-5600.

Noe Valley will soon have Basso’s, a casual restaurant moving into the former Cybelle’s Pizza space, next door to Noe’s Bar. Two brothers, Wayne and Gaetano Basso, and Wayne’s two sons, are behind the project. There will be Neapolitan-style thin-crust pizzas, plus steaks, pastas (including homemade ravioli), salads, daily house-made soups, and fresh-made desserts. All ingredients will be organic, the meats are from Niman Ranch, and the seafood will be eco-friendly. Also look for daily specials, and a wine list with reasonable pricing. The restaurant is slated to open before Thanksgiving for lunch and dinner; breakfast and lunch will start a few weeks later. There will also be late hours, staying open until 11 p.m. on Sunday, midnight Mon.–Thurs., and 1 a.m. on Fri.–Sat. Basso’s, 3782 24th St. at Church Street, San Francisco, 415-285-3212.

Luke and Kitty Sung of Isa are opening a new sushi restaurant in Hayes Valley called Domo. The 20-seat casual neighborhood spot will have Ku Wa as the sushi chef, a high school friend of Luke’s; he was formerly at Osho in Millbrae, and was most recently in Hawaii, and downtown at Hana Zen. The opening is slated for late November—lunch and dinner will be served, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Domo, 511 Laguna St. at Linden, San Francisco.

A flower called Daffodil will be blooming in the former Vignette space in the Orchard Hotel. The executive chef is Russell Rummer of Roots Restaurant in the Orchard Garden Hotel, a sister hotel (he will be overseeing both restaurants). Look for a contemporary European small plates menu, with a local and seasonal focus. Wine from around the world will also be available. Open for dinner nightly 5 p.m.–10 p.m. Daffodil, 665 Bush St. at Powell Street, San Francisco, 415-956-2972.

Moving into the former Platanos space in the Mission is Craig’s Place, a casual restaurant serving breakfast items like omelets and scrambles, plus sandwiches, burgers, and salads for lunch and dinner. The restaurant will be open daily from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Craig’s Place, 598 Guerrero St. at 18th Street, San Francisco, 415-355-9191.

Horizon Restaurant & Lounge will open in North Beach in the former Sake Lab space. The vibe will be casual and upbeat, with a menu of classic American and Mediterranean fare. Look for a selection of charcuterie, skirt steak with fries, pastas like pappardelle with house-braised meat and tomato ragù, roasted chicken, seafood such as sea bass with chorizo, and an extensive burger menu featuring a multitude of meats, cheeses, and other toppings to choose from. The dessert menu will include warm cobblers with seasonal fruits and a root beer float made with Ciao Bella gelato and locally brewed root beer. The consulting chef is Ola Fendert of Oola Restaurant & Bar and the soon-to-open Local Kitchen & Wine Merchant. Mark Bright, sommelier of Local Kitchen & Wine Merchant and Oola Restaurant & Bar, hand-picked the restaurant’s wine list. The cocktail menu will feature freshly made cocktails, to be enjoyed in the lounge or in the dining area. The restaurant and bar will stay open until 2 a.m. every day. Horizon Restaurant & Lounge, 498 Broadway St. at Kearny Street, San Francisco, 415-576-1118.

Fans of Pascal Rigo’s Boulange bakeries now have a new location to visit, in Hayes Valley, for fresh-baked bread, sweet treats and sandwiches. Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Boulange, 500 Hayes St. at Octavia Street, San Francisco, 415-863-3376.

Coming to the Marina in October will be Bin 38, a wine bar opening in the former Mi Lindo Peru space. There will be over 40 wines by the glass from South Africa, Argentina, Oregon and Washington, ranging in price from $7-$20, plus exotic beers and wine-friendly shared plates. The menu was crafted by consulting chef James Schenk of Destino, offering locally-focused, seasonal bar bites plus heartier fare, too. There is a spacious patio in the back, and there will be sidewalk seating as well. Bin 38’s partners are Don Davis of Uncorked Events, Peter Scully of Dolce and 38 NORTH, and Shaw Amirghassemkhany and David Sheridan, both from Shaw Management Group. Bin 38, 3232 Scott St., between Lombard and Chestnut, San Francisco, www.bin38.com.

Slated to open in early October is Fish & Farm, a Union Square restaurant focusing on California seafood, artisan meats and eco-friendly business. The intimate 42-seat restaurant will offer exclusive, small farm-sourced food—the greater majority of the food will be sourced from within a 100-mile radius of the restaurant. Chef Michael Morrison, previously executive sous chef at Ame, has a pedigree that includes stints at Michael Mina, Bizou and Fringale in San Francisco. The concept is from partners Frank Klein, and John Duggan and Elena Duggan of Original Joe’s. There will also be an affordable wine list, and cocktails, too.Sheri Sheridan of San Francisco’s Swallowtail Design (she designed Salt House) has created an American “vintage chic” feel for the dining room. The restaurant will be open for dinner six days a week, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday and Sunday; 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Fish & Farm, 339 Taylor St. at Ellis Street, San Francisco, 415-474-FISH (3474), www.fishandfarmsf.com.

A new restaurant has opened in the Sunset called Sozai Restaurant & Sake Lounge, an izakaya from owner and executive chef Mari Takahashi of Mari’s Catering, Inc. The menu will offer authentic Japanese dishes with some California cuisine-inspired small plates, all served izakaya/pub-style. Beau Timken of True Sake has crafted the sake list. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Sozai Restaurant & Sake Lounge, 1500 Irving St. at 16th Street, San Francisco, 415-681-7150.

In October, the Castro will have a new specialty market and café in the former Just Desserts space called Gustofino Fine Foods. Diners can either eat the gourmet goods on-premise, or do take-out, plus do some shopping with all the local and imported food items that will be available. The food will be home-style, with hot items like lasagna, plus panini, salads, desserts, and a variety of things to drink, from Blue Bottle Coffee to wine. The back patio is sure to be a hit, and with room for 40, it will be able to handle all that popularity. Gustofino will be open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Gustofino, 248 Church St. between 15th and Market Streets, San Francisco.

Tablespoon has morphed into Bar Johnny, a restaurant serving more casual fare and small plates. The contemporary American menu will include a variety of dishes, from small bites to larger servings, with dinner served until 11 p.m., and a bar menu until 1 a.m. Speaking of the bar, the topnotch concoctions here are worth the visit alone. Bar Johnny, 2209 Polk St. at Vallejo Street, San Francisco, 415-268-0140.

Opening in the former Monte Cristo Café space will be Sens Restaurant, highlighting cuisine influenced from the exotic Southern Mediterranean (North Africa, Greece and Turkey) made with locally sourced ingredients and a sustainable focus. Executive chef Michael Dotson (Evvia Estiatorio, Heirloom Restaurant, The Slow Club, and PlumpJack Café) is working with pastry chef Shuna Lydon (Aziza, Citizen Cake, Bouchon, The French Laundry and Gramercy Tavern), who both take their cues from fresh, seasonal produce from the farmers’ market. The wine list has been assembled by general manager and sommelier Saeed Amini (Michael Mondavi, Cetrella, and Kokkari) and promotes organic and biodynamic wines, plus a seasonal wines list. The great views and stonework of the spacious restaurant remain intact, including a large patio. The opening is slated for early October. Four Embarcadero Center, Promenade Level, San Francisco, 415-362-0645.

Frisée, a new restaurant with a focus on healthy ingredients and inventive dishes, is moving into the former Malacca space on Market Street. There will also be a dinner to-go box program for busy workers in the neighborhood, and a wine list with a number of biodynamic and organic wines from California, Argentina, Northern Italy, Australia and France. The project comes from brothers Brett and Nathan Niebergall, and they intend to open the restaurant by mid-September. Frisée, 2367 Market St. at 17th Street, San Francisco, 415-558-1616.

By the end of September, Hayes Valley should have its very own Boulange location from Bay Bread/Pascal Rigo. The bright-green corner building will have outdoor seating and an array of baked goods and lunch items, too. It will be open daily 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Boulange, 500 Hayes St. at Octavia Street, San Francisco, 415-863-3376.

Folks homesick for some New Orleans cookin’ can now swing by Brenda’s French Soul Food, a cozy little café in the Lower Polk offering NOLA-influenced eats, from crawfish beignets to grillades to gumbo, plus a variety of classic breakfast dishes, like omelets and French toast. The chef-owner is Brenda Buenviaje, born and raised in New Orleans and formerly of Café Claude and DeLessio Market & Bakery. Open Mon.-Fri. for breakfast and lunch, and the brand-new Sat. brunch. Brenda’s French Soul Food, 32 Polk St. at Eddy, San Francisco, 415-345-8100.

Peter Osborne, the owner of MoMo’s, has opened Pete’s Tavern just across from AT&T Park, in the former Kingfish space. The menu feature affordable and hearty American tavern dishes, like steak sandwiches, salads, burgers and sides like curly fries and onion rings. There is also a full bar, and 12 beers on tap. Open 11 a.m.–midnight, bar until 2 a.m. Pete’s Tavern, 128 King St. between Second and Third Streets, San Francisco, 415-817-5040.

The Monk’s Kettle will be opening in the former Rasha and Kelly’s Burgers space in the Mission by early November. This craft-beer tavern will offer all kinds of styles of beer from around the world, with 24 taps and over 100 bottles. Local beers will also be a large part of the focus. Gourmet pub fare, like burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads will be available, plus some quality wines, too. The ambience is going to be historic American tavern meets European alehouse, with dark woods, earthy colors and soft lighting. Hours will be from 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m., serving food until late. The Monk’s Kettle, 3141 16th St. at Albion Street, San Francisco.

Mint Plaza continues to develop quickly: not only is Blue Bottle going to be opening a café, and Chez Papa opening a new location, but now Sushi Groove is launching another city location. It’s taking over the old El Balazo space, and will have a lounge that will be open late night, plus offer access to the spacious outdoor patio for lunch, dinner and drinks. Look for a mid-October opening. Lunch and dinner will be served seven days a week. Sushi Groove, 54 Mint St. at Fifth St., San Francisco.

In Hayes Valley, a new small-plates restaurant and lounge called Breezy’s has opened in the former Blue Muse space. Chef Rodney Boca has crafted a menu with French influences, which includes mains like roasted chicken breast stuffed with Boursin cheese, asparagus, wrapped in pancetta, with artichoke ragoût and sauce diable; or rib-eye au poivre, with potato fries, roasted root vegetables and spicy natural jus. Breezy’s, 409 Gough St. at Hayes Street, San Francisco, 415-552-3400.

The latest project from the Maktub Group is Bossa Nova, a lounge and late-night restaurant that opened in the end of July in SOMA. The menu is focused on Brazilian small plates, ranging from seafood to a hearts of palm salad to meat skewers. It is served until midnight nightly, and the bar keeps going until 2 a.m. Bossa Nova, 139 Eighth St., between Minna and Mission Streets, San Francisco, 415-558-8004.

Spruce, the latest project from the Bacchus Management Group, is now open. (Bacchus is also behind The Village Pub in Woodside and various Pizza Antica locations). The historical building was an old car garage from the ’30s, with soaring glass and steel ceilings with large steel trusses and a long skylight. Mark Sullivan, from The Village Pub, is the executive chef, crafting a seasonal menu with Mediterranean influences that is matched nicely by a 1,000-bottle wine list—there is also a full bar that offers a variety of cocktails. Spruce’s hours are Mon.-Fri. 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 5 p.m.–11 p.m. Spruce, 3640 Sacramento St. at Spruce Street, San Francisco, 415-931-5100.

Metro Kathmandu is serving Nepali small plates with Indian influences—this new restaurant moved into the former Le Metro Café space on Divisadero Street. Nothing is over $10, and the restaurant is open Tues.-Sun. until 1 a.m. Drinks include an international wine list, plus tap beer and soju and saké cocktails. The back patio is also open for alfresco dining. Metro Kathmandu, 311 Divisadero St. at Page Street, San Francisco, 415-552-0903.

By October 2008, the new Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco will have a full-service restaurant and café under the direction of Loretta Keller of Coco500 and Charles Phan of Slanted Door fame. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, with a menu focused on local, sustainable, and organic ingredients. The café will have food that’s kid-friendly, healthy, and multicultural. More details, like the names of each establishment, and menu items, will be revealed in coming months.

By the end of the year, Blue Bottle Coffee will be opening a café in a historic building adjacent to the developing Mint Plaza, on Jessie Street. Full coffee service will be on offer, plus granitas, breakfast and lunch items like cheese and charcuterie, plus wines chosen by Paul Einbund of Coi. Blue Bottle Coffee, 66 Mint St., San Francisco.

Sudachi opened at the end of June in the old Juni space on Sutter Street, serving sushi, sashimi and Mediterranean-Asian fusion tapas, plus live jazz late into the evening. The beverage program will be highlighting quality sojus, wines and sakes. The 3,400-sq.-foot space will have a 12-seat cocktail lounge and a custom sushi bar, plus three or four tatami tables and a private tatami room. Dinner only will be served, with a late-night menu until 1 a.m. Sudachi, 1217 Sutter St. at Polk St., 415-623-8625.

Bernal Heights will have a new restaurant to add to its roster by mid July called Tinderbox Restaurant. This “experimental American bistro with a foundation on sustainable food and wine” will have some playful elements, like the Tinderbox Special, a nightly deluxe appetizer that is a tasting of three items presented in a steel box, and a specially priced prix-fixe menu called “Keeping It Bernal.” The wine list will be overseen by Omar White from Pizzaiolo, who will also be the GM, while the co-chefs (and partners) are Ryan Russell and Blair Warsham. The 40-seat space will have a clean and modern style, with a private room as well. It will be open for dinner, 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m. Tue.–Sun. (until 11 p.m. Fri.–Sat.) and serving wine and beer until midnight. Tinderbox Restaurant, 803 Cortland Ave. at Ellsworth St., 415-285-8269.

Lagosia, a unique restaurant and bar offering authentic West African and fusion cuisine, opened in Berkeley on June 20. The menu will feature exotic and exciting flavors that will take diners from California to the coast of West Africa. The name comes from the Nigerian city of Lagosa–a cultural hub of West Africa and the homeland of the owners. Lagosia serves lunch and dinner Tue.–Sun., with American breakfast service on weekends. Lagosia, 1725 University Ave., Berkeley, 510-540-8833, www.lagosia.com.

Come early August, SOMA will have a completely new concept for a wine bar in its environs: South, a modern Australian food and wine bar. The project will have chef-partner Luke Mangan crafting a contemporary and wine-friendly menu that will highlight Aussie and New Zealand gourmet products; Mangan is from Glass in the Hilton Sydney, Bistro Lulu, and Salt, and also consults for Virgin. Mangan’s partners in the venture are Anna Weinberg and Liz O’Connell, who both have families with wine backgrounds. The South wine list will emphasize boutique and family-owned wines from Australia and New Zealand. The 50-60-seat space will be open for lunch Mon.-Fri. and dinner nightly, until midnight Fri.-Sat. and brunch a little later. The stylish space will include light cork tile for the flooring, jarrah (an Australian wood) for the tables and bar, a communal table, an 18-seat bar with red and white tiles inspired from Maori carvings, and artwork from modern Aussie artists. South, Fourth St. at Townsend, San Francisco.

Mexico DF, a new Mexico City-style restaurant in SoMa, in the former LongLife Noodle Co., opened just above Shanghai 1930. Felipe Sandoval, the owner of Maya, has partnered with Victor Hugo Juarez, who owns some taquerias (both are originally from Mexico City)—they brought on David Rosales as executive chef. He was formerly at Fonda Solana in Albany, and most recently in Oregon. The menu will have Mexico City-inspired dishes made with organic ingredients—expect ceviches, crudos, and suckling pig carnitas by the pound. At night the space will transform into a lounge (there is a full liquor license), and a late-night menu will be available from 10 p.m. until close. Lunch will be Mon.–Fri., with dinner nightly, and brunch eventually. A to-go program is also in the works for daytime diners from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Mexico DF, 139 Steuart St. at Howard Street, 415-808-1048, San Francisco.

Moving into the former Pizza My Heart space in the Marina is Laïola, a project from Joe Hargrave and Andrew McCormack of Frisson, slated to open in early July. They have tapped Mark Denham (formerly of 42 Degrees, Manresa, and Chez Panisse) to be the executive chef—expect a menu with a strong locally-sourced and nose-to-tail sensibility, offering around 20 plates of charcuterie, plus whole-roasted lamb, suckling pig and an array of seafood. The 45-seat space will have a rustic look and a long and spacious Spanish-style counter. The wine program is almost 100 percent Spanish, with wine offered by the carafina instead of the glass (it comes out to about a glass and a half). Dinner will start at 5 p.m. nightly, staying open until 10:30 p.m., and until 11:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Laïola, 2031 Chestnut St. at Fillmore Street, San Francisco, 415-346-5641.

Moving into the former Buca Giovanni space in North Beach will be La Trappe, a two-level space serving Belgian beers and pub-style food with continental flair to accompany the beer, like mussels and fries, fish ‘n’ chips and coq au vin cooked with wine and Belgian ale. The chef is Darrell Simon, who has some Louisiana cooking in his background. La Trappe will be open in mid-July, serving dinner in the evenings to start, but eventually the plan is to be open continuously from 7 a.m.-10 p.m., and until midnight on the weekends, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch. La Trappe, 800 Greenwich St. at Mason Street, San Francisco.

The Blupointe restaurant and bar in Claude Lane is being taken over by Franck LeClerc of Café Claude, who is transforming it into Gitane (French for female gypsy). The space is slated to reopen in late August, will have 30 seats inside on the mezzanine, with room for 15 at the bar, and 30 seats outside on a heated terrace. The look with be funky ’50s Euro, and will also have a late-night scene since there is a full liquor license. The chef is Lisa Eyherabide, who is crafting a Mediterranean menu with southern French and Portuguese influences, plus touches from her native Basque region. Café Claude, 6 Claude Lane at Bush, San Francisco.

Local landmark (since 1922) Julius’ Castle has reopened on Telegraph Hill after a long renovation. The dinner menu from chef Michael Hammonds is full of classics, like clams casino and filet mignon, while weekend brunch has Monte Cristo sandwiches and crêpes Suzette. Dinner nightly 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m., and weekend brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Julius’ Castle, 1541 Montgomery St. at Union Street, San Francisco, 415-392-2222.

Over in Berkeley, Russell Moore, the chef and produce buyer of Chez Panisse, has finally found a home for his restaurant concept, Camino—he is opening it with his partner Allison Hopelain. The name means “fireplace” in Italian, and most of the menu items will come from the eight-foot-wide stone fireplace. The cozy restaurant won’t be opening until early 2008 at 3917 Grand Ave. in Oakland in the former Country Home Furniture space.

More East Bay news: by late summer, Flora should be opening in downtown Oakland from the partners behind Doña Tomás. The cuisine will be more California comfort (think chowder and hamburgers), and less Cal-Mex. There will also be a lounge area serving cocktails. The space is in an historic Art Deco building at Telegraph and 19th Street, across from the Fox Theatre.

A new wine bar, Uva, will be opening in the Lower Haight around October in the old Horseshoe Coffeehouse space. Uva will also serve a variety of dishes off an enoteca-style menu—a variety of antipasti, with many under $10, served family style. Expect a selection of 12-15 cheeses, salumi, panini, bruschettas, tramezzini, piadine and a few desserts, too. The project comes from Boris Nemchenok and Ben Hetzel. Nemchenok worked as a sommelier and manager under Mario Batali at Otto Enoteca Pizzeria in New York, while Hetzel is a Johnson & Wales graduate who has been a cook, captain and cheese buyer for The Ritz Carlton, San Francisco. The look will be rustic and clean, with lots of wood and a marble-topped bar. The wine list is all Italian, and 20-25 wines will be served in 3 oz. tastings or by the quartino in an 8 oz. decanter. It will be open nightly, with weekend brunch. 568 Haight St. at Fillmore Street, San Francisco.

San Francisco’s Levende Lounge is heading east and opening a second location in early June, Levende East, in Old Oakland. Owners and East Bay natives Kiri Eschelle, Dirk Kahl and Ben Doren, along with executive chef Arren Caccamo, are revamping a beautifully historic Old Oakland space, giving the new establishment a similar casual elegance to the original, with updated elements including custom chandeliers, viewable wine storage, and even an outdoor dining area. Caccamo’s cooking will combine flavors from Asia, Latin America and Europe creating a menu of distinctive world-fusion cuisine, with dishes like grilled jumbo white shrimp on roasted garlic-truffle bruschetta with sherry lobster bisque sauce and grilled asparagus. The unique wine list will highlight a variety of new- and old-world wines, with over 100 bottles and an additional 30 by the glass selections. The 68-seat open main dining room evokes an inviting feeling with brick and earth-toned walls, and solid walnut floors and furnishings. Dinner will be served Monday–Saturday 5 p.m.–11 p.m., with full bar service from 5 p.m.–2 a.m. nightly. Lunch is served Monday–Friday 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and the “Boogie Brunch” service will be offered on Saturdays 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Levende East, 827 Washington St. at Ninth Street, Oakland, 510-835-5585.

Pâtisserie Philippe has opened near the roundabout in SoMa in the design district. The owner, Philippe Delarue, was formerly with Bay Bread in San Francisco. Open for breakfast and lunch, a variety of items will be offered, including sandwiches, salads, quiches and all kinds of pastry, from cookies to teacakes. Open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pâtisserie Philippe, 655 Townsend St., between Seventh & Eighth Streets, San Francisco, 415-558-8016.

After a quick remodel, Hawthorne Lane reopened on January 11 as TWO, with a new-yet-retro look and an entirely new menu format. Owner David Gingrass collaborated with executive chef Bridget Batson, crafting a more casual and simple approach, with seasonal dishes like roasted pork with braised Belgian endive and apples, and cast iron-pan chicken with a quinoa salad. The dining room now has a large communal table, where guests can enjoy a prix-fixe two-course menu along with a terzo of wine (about 1½ glasses) for $25. TWO will also do “food-TWO-go,” a box lunch that can be ordered online at www.two-sf.com and picked up in the drive-through courtyard. Happy hour in the lively bar area will continue to run weekdays, 4 p.m.-6 p.m., with bar bites priced at $2 each. Open Mon.-Fri. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. on weekends. TWO, 22 Hawthorne St., San Francisco, 415-777-9779.

New wine bars are popping up all over San Francisco, but the Marina's new JoVino will also specialize in gourmet coffee–hence its name: "Jo" for coffee, "Vino" for, well, vino. Menu items will include notable chef Joanna Karlinsky's Meetinghouse biscuits, named for her previous venture in the space that now holds Quince, as well as a selection of homemade scones and preserves, sandwiches and salads. One or two hot dishes such as beef stew or macaroni and cheese will be available for light dinner fare. Ken Lowe, owner of Ace Wasabi, has transformed the Union Street spot that previously hosted La Nouvelle Pâtisserie into a warm, modern café built for lingering and mingling. The café will be open 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Wines will cost $6-$12 a glass. JoVino, 2184 Union St. at Fillmore St. No phone number yet.

Francophiles, oenophiles and/or both are converging on a brand new Polk Gulch wine bar and small-plates restaurant. Amelie stands out in the otherwise gritty neighborhood for its design-rich interior with lipstick-red walls, moody French music, a long bar and low, modern lounge seating. Date-size dining tables keep things intimate in back. Around 150 French and California wines are offered, including twenty or so by the glass, as well as a menu of inventive soju, Champagne and Lillet cocktails. Partners Samie Didda and Germain Michel are veterans from Chouchou in Forest Hill (Didda, Chouchou's owner, also owns a pastry shop in Paris; this is Michel's first venture). The team has put together a simple menu of bistro bites including escargots, foie gras torchon and Gruyère raviole du Royans. Dinner is served 5 p.m.-1:30 a.m. every night except Monday. Amelie, 1754 Polk St. at Washington St., 415-292-6796, www.ameliesf.com.

In a citywide game of restaurant musical chairs, Avenue G on Clement Street closed and reopened at the old La Felce location in North Beach on February 14. Meanwhile, the Richmond District space has reopened as a spruced-up version of its former incarnation, Pho Tu Do. The Vietnamese noodle house once again serves generous, inexpensive pho soups and other noodle dishes, as well as heartier Vietnamese fare such as garlic-roasted crab. Avenue G's more eclectic, fusion menu of dishes such as Filipino adobo pulled-pork profiteroles, Oaxacan rib-eye and Guinness-braised lamb shank can now be found at 1570 Stockton St. near Washington Square (415-989-0399, www.restaurantavenueg.com). Pho Tu Do, 1000 Clement St. at Eleventh Ave., San Francisco, 415-221-7111.

A new restaurant, Avenue G, opened on Clement St. in early July. The cuisine is focused on representing the many international players in San Francisco cooking, from sashimi to Dungeness crab and potpie to Brazilian feijoada. The chef/owner worked at Chaya and Betelnut, so he’s more than familiar with eclectic menus and tastes. The sleek space will be serving dinner nightly until late into the evening (midnight, or even later on the weekend). Avenue G, 1000 Clement St. at 11th Avenue, San Francisco, 415-221-7111.

Moving into the vacant Maroc space on Haight St. will be The Alembic, a bar/restaurant from the owner of Magnolia Pub and Brewery. The philosophy is to highlight the artisanal and micro-distillery scene, like the Bay Area’s local producers, and beyond. The chef is Eddie Blyden, formerly of Sneaky Tiki and 21st Amendment (he has also now taken over the kitchen of Magnolia). The American menu will focus on using organic, local and sustainable ingredients. The 40-seat space will be cozy classic, utilizing reclaimed woods for the floors, bar, tables and chairs. The plan is for a fall opening. 1725 Haight St., San Francisco.

Many have been surprised to hear that French Laundry’s famed chef, Thomas Keller, pictured, is opening a casual, temporary restaurant in the former Wine Garden space in Yountville, just down the street from French Laundry. By fall, Ad Hoc will begin serving a set four-course prix-fixe dinner of comfort food, with a choice of main dishes like fried chicken and beef stroganoff, averaging around $45 (instead of $450). Even more surprising is his master plan to then re-open it as a burger joint six months later. The world’s most perfect burger may be close.

Opening this September in the Financial District’s former Gold Coast space will be Perbacco, a restaurant project from Staffan Terje, the former executive chef at Scala's Bistro and Umberto Gibin, a former director of operations at Grand Café, Masa's and Fifth Floor. The restaurant will feature a seasonal Italian menu focused on the northern Piedmontese region, with homemade stuffed pastas, and classic regional dishes. The two-level space is being designed by Cass Calder Smith, and will be hip and urban, yet still evocative of its turn-of-the-century history, with an original brick wall, carpeted floors and marble touches. They will serve lunch Monday-Friday and dinner Monday-Saturday. 230 California St., San Francisco.

The current location of Cozmo's Corner Grill in the Marina will be closing in July or so for a remodel from designer Michael Brennan (Boca, Cortez, Tartare), reopening as Circa in August or thereabouts. The space will feature much more of a lounge sensibility, with elegant touches like chandeliers and plush booths. The executive chef, Erik Hopfinger, is staying on and creating a menu of small and shared plates, like Dungeness Crab Tater Tots and Moroccan Spiced "Lolly Chops." Mark Bright was hired as the consulting sommelier. 2001 Chestnut St., 415-351-0175.