Last week chef-owner Joseph Humphrey opened the doors for a preview party at the Presidio’s latest restaurant, ~DIXIE~. Humphrey, known for his years cooking at Meadowood and Murray Circle at Cavallo Point, is going to be serving a Southern-influenced menu, letting his Florida roots shine through, but this is not a casual roadside affair, sweetheart.
The à la carte menu features local oysters three different ways (raw, fried, smoked); starters like chicken fried quail ($15) with roasted garlic waffle and spicy cabbage salad; pea salad ($14) with cured salmon, Mendocino seaweeds, and bonito; entrées feature chicken and dumplings ($24); collard green tortellini ($21) with smoked onion relish and aged Cheddar; and black cod ($22) with bourbon, red miso, leeks, farro, and buttermilk. Take a look at the complete dinner menu here (and get ready for your stomach to grumble—it reads really well). The tasting menu ($72) promises to be even more amazing—hello, we have a Meadowood alum here! For dessert, there’s chess pie ($7) with strawberry sorbet, meringue, and Szechuan peppercorn; and a coconut layer cake ($8) with slow-roasted pineapple and candied macadamia nuts.
The lunch menu is a two-course affair ($19), with starters like the Dixie chopped salad with buttermilk dressing or green garlic gazpacho with grilled grapes, spiced almonds, and cucumber; mains include a daily po’boy, or roast pork with yellow grits, green beans, and peanuts. You can also get a hush puppy “refill” for $5.
As previously mentioned in tablehopper, Humphrey is partnering with Khalid Lahlou, who will handle the front of house. Michael Brennan has redesigned the former Pres a Vi, which includes a spacious bar and lounge area with banquettes where you can snack on deviled eggs, hush puppies, and shaved country ham while sipping some bourbon- and rye-based cocktails, like the Derby Cooler or an old-fashioned. A prized part of the property is the spacious outdoor patio, with a beautiful view of the Presidio. There are also two private rooms and a chef’s counter in the kitchen where guests who opt for the tasting menu will be able to sit for a course. Hours are lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm and dinner Sun-Thu 5:30pm-10pm and Fri-Sat 5:30pm-11pm.
Now open in the former La Terrasse space is TRANSIT CAFE; Inside Scoop mentions it has a casual vibe, with pastries and organic coffee in the morning, and grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and late-afternoon snacks. A post on Yelp mentions pizza from a brick oven is coming soon. Hours are Mon-Fri 7am-7pm and Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. 215 Lincoln Blvd. at Ralston, Main Post.
The spacious bar area; photo via Dixie.
