Thought I’d do a few quick updates: in the Western Addition/NoPa, it looks like the former B’s BBQ & Grill is morphing into EL RANCHO GRANDE, announcing burritos and quesadillas on their awning. No idea about when they plan to open, but it’s reportedly close. 855 Divisadero St. at McAllister.
Down the street, I had a peek at the replacement for On the Corner—while the working name is PANINI, it’s TBD. Actually, the whole thing seems TBD—they only had some coffee going on the espresso machine (Lavazza) the day I swung by, with limited baked goods on offer. But based on the extensive wine racking system, and a (potential) name like Panini, the offering is sure to be expanded once they get more underway. The look is pretty spare, but with a look at the Kartell lamps overhead (did they buy those from Metro Kathmandu?), I have some hopes for some style to manifest as well. 359 Divisadero St. at Oak.
According to liquor license permits, there’s a new place called SKOOL opening in Potrero Hill. Grub Street has the deets: “Andy Mirabell, formerly director of operations for Blowfish Sushi, is opening a new fish-focused restaurant in a Potrero Hill space that’s been vacant for about a decade. The name: Skool. The large space is in one of the neighborhood’s many design complexes at 1725 Alameda Street (at DeHaro) and has never before been used for a restaurant—the owner has previously refused multiple offers to lease it for restaurant use, but he liked Mirabell’s business plan enough to say yes.” The net/net (har): fab patio, seafood focus (but not sushi), seasonal cocktails, a pizza oven for Spanish-style flatbreads, and more. In the kitchen is former Bushi Tei sous chef Toshihiro Nagano, and his wife, Hiroko. Targeted opening: end of June for lunch service, and dinner around July 4th. 1725 Alameda St. at DeHaro, 415-255-8800.
More seafood, and more from Grub Street: moving into the Lingba Space on Potrero will be ROCKETFISH, a “Japanese Tapistro & Lounge.” It will reportedly feature “a unique blend of old-school Japanese cuisine with classic global tapas and sushi, all in a bistro-esque environment.” Tapistro. Hmmm. Don’t confuse it with something you could order at Starbucks. 1469 18th St. at Connecticut.
