February 3, 2009

So, I have some exciting news about the ~FORMER PINK SPACE~ in the Mission. Hakobo of fresco is going to be partnering with owner Peter Glickstern, and they are opening an entirely new club together. The idea is to make this a mainstay Mission bar, open at 5pm daily. It will deliver a diversified music program, from house to hip-hop, plus soul, jazz, and live music at night. The place has been completely gutted, and is being soundproofed. The designer is Brent Kanbayashi, who also did Namu and Poleng Lounge. The look will be 1950s–60s smoky jazz bar, more classy than modernist, with dark, rich, and natural tones, and lots of woods. Hakobo, a bartender at César in Berkeley, has been in the restaurant industry for a long time and is looking forward to hiring a knowledgeable and skilled staff behind the bar. Look for an opening in early April, and I’ll release the name once it’s final. 2925 16th St. at South Van Ness.

Thanks everyone who wrote in to let me know that ~LADIES NIGHT~ is now at Orson on Thursdays. No cover charge, with $5 classic cocktail specials and menu specials from 5pm–7pm in the bar and in the lounge, and additional specials at 7pm, with dinner served until 10pm. The official grand opening is this Thursday February 5th. 508 Fourth St. at Bryant, 415-777-1508.

Winos, there’s a Scacciadiavoli~Montefalco tasting with Liu' Panbuffetti at ~BIONDIVINO~ on Wednesday February 4th from 6pm–8pm. Four wines will be tasted: Spumante Brut Classico ($26 btl.), Montefalco Rosso 2005 ($20 btl.), Sagrantino di Montefalco 2004 ($45 btl.), and Sagrantino di Montefalco Passito 2004 ($43 btl.). $10 tasting fee and a 15% case discount on the night of tasting. 1415 Green St. at Polk, 415-673-2320.

~LIOCO AND CONDUIT~ are teaming up to do a four-course and five-wine dinner on Tuesday February 17th. Here’s more from the event announcement: “These wines have gained raves in the national press for their expression of some California’s best vineyard sites. Few wineries are as passionate as Lioco about the pursuit of purity. The wines are true expressions of place, with the individuality of each site allowed to speak, even accentuated, by little intervention. The un-oaked chardonnays are the finest examples produced in California and are reminders that the varietal can produce compelling, multilayered, mineral-driven wines of class and elegance outside Burgundy.” Matt Licklider from LIOCO will be on hand to talk about the site-specific philosophy behind these beautiful wines.

Chef Justin Deering’s delicious-sounding menu is as follows: LIOCO Rosé 2007; Dungeness crab salad (fennel, Cara Cara, jalapeno) with LIOCO Sonoma County Chardonnay 2007; shellfish broth (black cod, clam, Calabrese sausage, saffron aioli) with LIOCO Demuth Chardonnay 2007; duck breast (sous vide leg, confit, parsnip puree, black trumpet, star anise) with LIOCO Carneros Pinot Noir 2007; and cake (lemon, huckleberry, almond) with LIOCO Late Harvest Chardonnay 2006. They wanted to keep the price down, so it’s $85 (tax and gratuity not included). Dinner served throughout the evening, starting at 6pm. 280 Valencia St. at 15th St., 415-552-5200.