The former Ne Timeas Restaurant Group is now the Flour+Water Hospitality Group, and their first project is the transformation of the former and upscale Central Kitchen into PENNY ROMA. This will be a more-affordable and Italian concept from chefs Thomas McNaughton and Ryan Pollnow, with crudos, classic pasta dishes (like cacio e pepe and tagliatelle alla bolognese) priced at $22 and under, rustic secondi (bistecca alla fiorentina and roast chicken), and contorni that showcase vegetables from local farm partners. Check out the menu here. They plan to open in October, and will be open daily 5:30pm-10pm. 3000 20th St. at Florida.
More changes: the Flour+Water Pasta Shop will launch a casual enoteca menu in the evening, so folks can swing by for a glass of wine and bites on the shared patio. (Sandwiches, salads, and more will continue throughout the day at the shop.)
The other change is FLOUR+WATER is temporarily closing for a renovation after service on October 2nd, with plans to reopen in the winter. Stand by for the announcement of their design partner.
The chic, Kelly Wearstler-designed LA BANDE café on the ground floor of the San Francisco Proper is being relaunched as a Cal-Med apéritif and tapas bar, with a European-feeling outdoor patio where you can enjoy your Barcelona-vibey bites and beverages. Chef Jason Fox (Villon) has crafted a menu built for grazing, with warm and cold tapas, Galician conservas (including razor clams and tuna belly confit) served with housemade grilled bread, charcuterie (bring on the pata negra), cheeses, and a few courses off the plancha, like halibut cheeks and housemade Merguez sausage.
BVHospitality has assembled the list of craft apéritif cocktails (including a Special Gin & Tonic Service), and a vermouth program, plus notable Old World wines, Madeira from D’Oliveira dating back to the 1930s, and European draft beers. There’s also a retail section if you want to stock your pantry. Opening Friday September 24th. Hours: Tue-Sat 4:30pm-9:30pm. 1100 Market St. at McAllister.
I’m happy to see a stretch of California Street in the Financial District coming back to life, with the opening of Michael Mina’s ESTIATORIO ORNOS on September 22nd, and now Umberto Gibin and Staffan Terje’s ~BARBACCO~ is back. The updated menu has some new Spanish-inspired dishes (it’s the year of conservas!), but it still remains primarily Italian. Weekday lunch and dinner are available inside or in their outdoor Shared Space. Cin cin!
The newish LITTLE RED WINDOW in North Beach from chef Adam Rosenblum will now offer his delicious, smash-style burgers he’s known for at Causwells, plus fries, of course, and some salads, too. Managing partner Elmer Mejicano has added some inventive low-AVB spritz cocktails for their “spritz garden”—everything will be available for outdoor dining, takeaway, and delivery Wed-Sun 11am-9pm (until 11pm Fri-Sat), starting Wednesday September 22nd. Enjoy a 50 percent discount for all Little Red Window food purchased during the first week of the debut! 1500 Stockton St., next door to Red Window (at 500 Columbus Ave.).
Agnolotti dal plin from the upcoming Penny Roma. Photo courtesy of the Flour + Water Hospitality Group.
