Marcia Gagliardi

Things continue to be tweaked at ~FIFTH FLOOR~, starting with Jacques Bezuidenhout’s new cocktail program which is in soft launch mode until 2010. The restaurant will be closing from January 1st—10th, and when the doors reopen, the bar program will be up and fully running. The new program…

~KASA INDIAN EATERY~, the casual Castro place with delicious kati rolls (imagine Indian burritos) and thali plates (pictured) are due to open their second location (“K2”) this Friday December 18th—but call before heading over because the date keeps shifting! The menu will be like the original’s, with everything…

Locals have been eagerly anticipating the opening of ~BARBACCO~, the casual neighbor to ~PERBACCO~, but it looks like the opening will be pushed until January 2010 due to electrical issues (it also means their beer and wine license should be in effect by then). Another push: ~GRACIAS MADRE~, the vegan…

~THE FRONT PORCH~ has kicked in lunch service Wednesday through Friday from 11:30am—3pm. The menu includes a variety of po’ boy sandwiches (including oysters, shrimp, fried catfish, fried chicken, a slow-cooked meat of the day, or veggie special), side dishes from salad to gumbo, plus beignets, and…

The recent newcomer to the Castro, ~PANAM~, has kicked off weekend brunch service with bottomless mimosas or Bloody Marys for $10. Also on the menu: eggs Benedict and Florentine, French and American omelets, French toast (of course), fresh fruit, and naturellement, croissants. There is also a croque monsieur or madame…