October 21, 2014 - This week's tablehopper: #OrangeOctober.

This week's tablehopper: #OrangeOctober.                    

Gloriously messy late-night al pastor and chile verde tacos at El Farolito. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

Excitement! Today is Game One of the World Series, and I love seeing the town all lit up and full of orange. And it’s not because it’s Halloween, holla! Coit Tower, you look amazing.

Meanwhile, excitement is seriously percolating in the restaurant world, since the 2015 Michelin Guide winners are announced today. You can check out who won how many “macarons” here. And there’s also the handy list of Bib Gourmand restaurants, the ones deemed “Inspectors’ Favorites for Good Value” (two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less; tax and gratuity not included).

This weekend, I had fun at the Grand National Rodeo on Friday night, followed by more beers at Pops and late-night tacos at El Farolito, the best. I was also busy celebrating my Uncle Tony’s 91st birthday. I mean, come on, how great is that? He is looking so good too. A few months in Italy will do that for someone.

This Friday, we won’t have a tablehopper issue because I’m going to be on the Google campus interviewing Jacques Pépin for a Fireside Google Chat! Trust, I am waaaaay excited to be talking to the man, the myth, the legend. You can submit questions for Jacques here (and I know you’re a smart bunch, so they’ll be good ones). You can tune in at 11am!

But for now, I am punching the clock early to head to the Champagne Bureau tasting today (not something I want to miss, evah), and then the Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Top 100, woohoo! (Am thrilled it’s a stunning fall day, which means the Metreon terrace will be THE spot to be drinking this evening for those of us not glued in front of the TV.)

Vamanos Gigantes! Marcia Gagliardi

the chatterbox

Gossip & News (the word on the street)

A New Kind of Restaurant, The Perennial, from Anthony Myint and Karen Leibowitz

The altruistic and visionary duo of Anthony Myint and Karen Leibowitz (Mission Chinese Food, Mission Street Food, Commonwealth, Lt. Waffle) are working on a new restaurant and bar in SoMa: THE PERENNIAL. There’s a lot of ground to cover with this concept, so let’s dive in.

The restaurant will have a strong eco and environmental perspective, unlike anything in the city, with an aquaponic greenhouse in Oakland (scraps from the restaurant kitchen will be used to feed fish, whose waste will then provide nutrients for the plants) and a focus on perennial agriculture and a farm-to-table and “table-to-farm” cycle (read: how to deal with waste). You should take a look at the Kickstarter video for more from Anthony Myint on aquaponics—it’s definitely the direction things need to be going in. (And maybe kick down a few bucks while you’re at it.)

The dining room will have a display of live plants that will be used on the menu à la minute (how’s that for fresh ingredients?), plus there will be large planters on the roof of 55 Ninth Street. The kitchen will be energy efficient (through consultation with the Food Service Technology Center), and the team will also be working closely with and donating a portion of proceeds to nonprofit Zero Food Print, a foundation that promotes restaurants (and diners) minimizing their environmental impact, and educates and enables restaurants to reduce their carbon footprints.

Pretty exciting stuff. This is the next wave, people.

The chef is Chris Kiyuna, currently chef de cuisine at Mission Chinese Food SF. He recently trained at Noma and has also cooked at Coi, but keeps things real, too (he was at Front Porch as well). This is a first time for me to see this on a press release: “the chef will serve accessible yet refined climate-conscious California cuisine.” Read on.

There will be “climate beneficial meat,” from cattle that graze “on compost-treated rangeland [which] encourage[s] the growth of perennial grasses whose longer roots sequester carbon beneath the soil, keeping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere” (the team is working with the Carbon Cycle Institute). And another cool thing: the restaurant “will work with Chad Robertson (Tartine) and Wes Jackson (The Land Institute) to offer bread and baked goods using perennial alternatives to traditional wheat, such as Kernza, a naturally bred intermediate wheatgrass, which boasts high-yield, root-based carbon sequestration, and pest resistance.”

Cocktails will be from Tin Roof Drink Community: Chad Arnholt (Trick Dog) and Claire Sprouse (ABV). And since everything will be eco-minded, you sure as hell won’t be seeing any plastic straws here. Not only will Paramo Coffee be served (you can read the original post on tablehopper here about them), but there will also be a daytime kiosk.

The 65-seat restaurant is being designed by Paul Discoe (Ippuku, Greens). The Perennial is going into a new apartment building called AVA 55 Ninth (the restaurant and café will be on the ground floor). Lunch and dinner will be served six days a week (à la carte dinner entrées will run $18-25). They are hoping to open in February 2015. I look forward to this one taking shape in the new year. 59 9th St. at Market.

Crystal Jade Opening November 18th

Four Embarcadero Center’s newest tenant CRYSTAL JADE JIANG NAN (music warning on that link) is opening Tuesday November 18th after a $14 million renovation. As we reported last year, this is the first outpost of the Singapore-based chain outside of Asia. Local restaurateur Gus Murad, previously of Medjool, is also involved in bringing the project to San Francisco.

The food is from the Jiang Nan region of China, which is south of the Yangtze River and includes Szechuan, Hunan, and Zhejiang cuisine. They will also offer some roasted Cantonese items, and dim sum brunch on weekends. There is even a full bar, the Liu Ling bar and lounge area, and a takeout counter called Singapore To-Go.

It’s a huge space, clocking in at 16,000 square feet, with an additional 4,000-square-foot terrace. Local designer Ken Fulk (Jane, The Cavalier) did the space, with an eye toward the landscape of the Jiang Nan region. The view of the bay is the focus both in the restaurant and on the terrace, along with British-Chinese imports and chinoiserie touches intended to evoke a British gentlemen’s club. Hours in the dining room will be Mon-Fri 11am-3pm and 5pm-11pm, Sat-Sun brunch 10am-3pm, Sat dinner 5pm-11pm, Sun dinner 5pm-10pm. Bar hours will be daily 11am-11pm, and Singapore To-Go hours daily 11am-8pm. Four Embarcadero Center, Drumm St. at Sacramento, 415-399-1200.

Chef Changes: Ne Timeas, 20 Spot, Maruya, MKT, Zero Zero

There have been some changes at Ne Timeas Restaurant Group, the company behind Flour + Water, Central Kitchen, and Salumeria. Chef Ryan Pollnow, who has previously worked as the chef de cuisine at Central Kitchen, has been promoted to partner of the group. That means he’ll now be overseeing various culinary teams and working closely with executive chef Thomas McNaughton. Pollnow’s previous experience includes sous chef at Mecca and sous chef at Il Cane Rosso; he joined Central Kitchen in 2013. Chef Mark Bolton, who began at Central Kitchen in 2013 after working at Chicago’s Tru, will be taking his place as chef de cuisine.

After chef Caleb Jones left 20 SPOT, Todd Corboy has signed on in the kitchen. Corboy’s experience includes time in the kitchen at Delfina, as well as a stint in Vienna and as the private chef on a yacht. His small and medium plates have a seafood focus, with choices like ahi tuna poke with avocado, inamona, and seaweed, or steamed savory clams with chorizo, grapes, and toast; you can check out his menu here. 3565 20th St. at Lexington, 415-624-3140.

Not too long ago, some hawk-eyed folks on Twitter noticed that one of the chefs at MARUYA had left, and now Scoop reports both Masaki Sasaki and Hide Sueyoshi have departed. The new chef is Shinichi Kawaguchi. 2931 16th St. at S. Van Ness, 415-378-6667.

MKT RESTAURANT-BAR in the Four Seasons has a new executive chef, Alexander La Motte. La Motte’s previous experience includes db Brasserie in Las Vegas, Café Boulud, and the French Laundry; most recently, he was at the Four Seasons Westlake Village. 757 Market St. at 3rd St., 415-633-3838.

Joyce Conway has taken the helm as executive chef at ZERO ZERO, replacing Colin Dewey, who left in mid-August. Reportedly, Conway has been running the kitchen since Dewey’s departure and has been at Zero Zero since it opened. Before that, she was at Bruce Hill’s Bix. She’ll be working on cycling in some new dishes for fall.

Zero Zero            - 826 Folsom St. San Francisco - 415-348-8800

Old-School Makeovers: Sam's Grill Reopens, Palace Hotel Garden Court at Night

SAM’S GRILL AND SEAFOOD RESTAURANT has reopened after a hiatus and refresh, according to Scoop. To recap, the old-school spot (and hopper fave) was saved from an uncertain future by a group of regulars, while owner Phil Lyons transitions toward retirement. Its building was recently sold, and only three years remain on their current lease (let’s hope they get a good renewal worked out). In the meantime, though, they’ve got new paint, curtains, and some other polish. The menu is mostly the same, too, though it’s been a bit edited to make sure offerings are sustainable and high quality. Hours are still Mon-Fri 11am-9pm.

The beautiful Garden Court at THE PALACE HOTEL is now open again at night, after a decade of closing in the evenings. The hotel, which opened in 1909, will be serving bites, desserts, cocktails, and wine under the historical glass domed ceiling every evening from 5pm-10pm. Cocktails include the 1909, with bourbon, lemon, housemade ginger syrup, and Lagavulin, or the Landmark 18 with Spirit Works sloe gin, Bummer & Lazarus gin, orange juice, and housemade almond bitters. 2 New Montgomery St. at Market, 415-512-1111.

Some Sweet Openings (Sixth Course and Chantal Guillon), Plus a New Taqueria, Bonita Taqueria

SIXTH COURSE, a truffle and dessert shop from owners Bridget Labus and Gianina Serrano that has been in the works since 2011, is now open in the Mission. The ladies are famous for their truffles, including a boozy line with offerings like one infused with St. George single-malt whiskey, though the shop has branched out and you can also find items like modern cakes and pastries. Yelpers mention a lemon thyme tart (yes please) and fruit verrines. Plus, they’ve got late-night hours for dessert after dinner. Sweet! Hours are Wed-Thu 2pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 3pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-6pm. 1544 15th St. at Capp, no phone.

As previously reported on tablehopper, popular macaron maker CHANTAL GUILLON has moved to a larger kitchen location in SoMa and has officially added a storefront and opened for business. The new location joins one in Hayes Valley and another in Palo Alto, and offers a changing roster of seasonal and classic flavors. Hours are daily 11am-7pm. 1309 Howard St. at 9th St., 415-864-2400.

The Marina has a new spot for Mexican vittles: BONITA TAQUERIA Y ROTISSERIE. The menu includes tacos, fajitas, and burritos with various protein choices like carnitas, rotisserie chicken, and vegetarian. Initial Yelp reviews are generally positive, with mentions of fresh flavors and quality ingredients. 2257 Chestnut St. at Scott, 415-801-5599.

Menu Update and More at La Nebbia, Wes Rowe Revamps Menu at Lookout

Last week I got the chance to preview the updated menu at the nine-month-old LA NEBBIA, and I’m here to report there are some smart new additions on there, 15 in all. First, owners Massimiliano Conti and Lorella Degan have rounded out their already amazing list of salumi with new salumi flights, giving you a chance to try a selection of three or more at once, paired with some tasty antipasti and pickled items. Take your pick from the Italians spread—pictured, with four kinds of glorious pig: prosciutto di Parma (18 months), San Daniele (18 months), speck, and coppa—or try the Spaniards (with 18-month Iberico that looks like A5 wagyu, and feels like it on your tongue).

I particularly enjoyed new starters like artichokes with shavings of Moliterno cheese ($9), and the napoleon of baked eggplant ($10) with scamorza, tomato, and the punch of pecorino. There are some new pizzas to try (if you read Friday’s tablehopper, you know one of them), and another one that is Lorella’s favorite: a pizza bianca with mozzarella, soppressata, radicchio, and pecorino (I especially loved it with a little of the spicy peperoncino-infused balsamic they let me taste). There are some new hearty dishes like semolina gnocchi ($11), bubbling with butter from its time in the oven, with chard underneath. Oh yeah.

Since the menu is full of owner Massimo’s interesting and unique wine selections, why not be able to take them home? Starting Friday October 24th, La Nebbia will launch a new wine to go program, with all the wines on the list available to take home. That “Derthona” timorasso from La Colombera, I will be back for you! One more thing: newly extended hours are now Tue-Sat 5pm-10pm and Sun 4pm-9pm. You can also make reservations on OpenTable. 1781 Church St. at Day, 415-874-9924.

Meanwhile, over in the Castro, LOOKOUT is celebrating its seventh anniversary by bringing on Wes Rowe (yes, that Wes, of the famed Wes Burger) to update and consult on the menu. As of tonight, it now features elevated bar snacks and drink-friendly bites, all made with some really delicious ingredients and a sense of humor (see: dirty balls, the nutsack). There’s Tex-Mex style queso, buffalo wings, and sandwiches like fried chicken, pulled pork, a burger (Wes knows a thing or two about them), and grilled cheese, all on a Pinkie’s challah bun with sides included, like tots or fries. You can still get a pizza, and there are now tacos too. Check out the menu, you may want to save room for the deep-fried bourbon shots, which entail pound cake that is soaked in bourbon and you guessed it, takes a ride in the fryer.

Bartender Michael Breshears, who has poured me too many shots to count over the years, has updated the cocktails, and has added fresher ingredients, housemade syrups, and other touches. 3600 16th St. at Market, 415-431-0306.

ABC License Watch: Takers for the Woodward's Garden Space, Boxing Room Applying for Full Liquor

Based on some ABC license activity, it looks like Jason Perkins—managing partner of Parish Entertainment Group, which operates Place Pigalle in Hayes Valley and Brick & Mortar Music Hall in the Mission, plus a couple of Oakland spots—is planning something for the former Woodward’s Garden space. A call into Parish Entertainment Group didn’t yield any details just yet about what Perkins is planning for the space, but we were promised an update soon. 1700 Mission St. at Division.

Since we’re noting license activity, BOXING ROOM has a full liquor permit lined up, which would be so great for that space. Hopefully it happens soon. Bring on the Sazeracs!

Boxing Room            - 399 Grove St. San Francisco - 415-430-6590

Cawfee Tawk: Rainbow Grocery's Café Opening, Artís Coffee, Ritual Coming to the Haight, More

The city continues to keep on cranking in the café department. This Friday October 25th, RAINBOW GROCERY will be opening its coffee and tea shop in the area in front of the store, serving Stumptown Coffee Roasters and a variety of teas. Come by this Friday for snacks and samples. Hours are Mon-Sat 8am-6pm and Sun 9am-3pm. 1745 Folsom St. at 13th St., 415-863-0620.

Hayes Valley has a new project brewing (sorry, har): ARTÍS COFFEE in Berkeley is going to be opening a second location on Octavia Street. Artís Coffee is known for live-roasting coffee on the spot (and to your taste). Or you can just grab an espresso or coffee and be on your way. Hoodline reports Artís will be opening in the former Reliquary space in 2015. 537 Octavia St. at Ivy.

Eileen Hassi Rinaldi just finished revamping RITUAL COFFEE ROASTERS on Valencia, and next she’s going to be opening a new location at Haight and Central in the Upper Haight (in a former cleaners). This one is a long way out—Hoodline reports we’re looking at July 2015 or thereabouts (permits and renovations take time). There will be outdoor seating too. Looking forward to it. 1300 Haight St. at Central.

A reader wrote in to tell me that TULLY’S COFFEE on Fillmore is reportedly closing on Sunday October 26th due to a severe rent increase. 2455 Fillmore St. at Jackson, 415-929-8808.

Special Dinners: Diwali at Dosa, Sinskey Vineyards at Stones Throw, and More

Celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali at DOSA ON FILLMORE on Thursday October 23rd. There are two seatings, one from 5:30pm-8pm and the second from 8:15pm until closing. Reservations include a three-course, family-style South Indian feast complete with dosas, uttapam, and curries, plus live music, henna tattoos, and traditional Diwali sweets. The second seating also includes a Bollywood and bhangra dance party after dinner. The first seating is $45 per person, and the later seating is $65 per person. Call 415-441-3672 for reservations and more information.

Catch the latest in the Eat Like a Chef, Drink Like a Somm dinner series at STONES THROW on Monday October 27th. The husband-and-wife team of chef Maria Sinskey and winemaker Robert Sinskey will be at the restaurant, preparing a special, autumnal five-course dinner with wine pairings—check out the menu here. Tickets are $75 per person including tax and tip, with wine pairings for an additional $50 per person, and reservations can be made from 6pm-8:45pm. All proceeds benefit the SF-Marin Food Bank, and if you can’t make it this time, next month the series will feature a savory menu from pastry chefs William Werner (Craftsman & Wolves), Matt Tinder (Meadowood), and Bill Corbett (Absinthe Group) on Monday November 17th.

MILLENNIUM is hosting a five-course dinner with Devoto Orchards Cider and Wait Cellars on Wednesday October 29th from 7pm-10pm. The dinner, which is vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, will be paired with pinot noir from Wait Cellars and Devoto’s excellent dry and semi-dry ciders. (Seriously, have you tried them? Do yourself a favor and grab a bottle of their Cidre Noire to toast the last sunny days of October.) Dessert even includes a cider-based cocktail pairing—how very fall is that? The dinner costs $80 per person and includes all food and drink pairings, but not tax and tip. For reservations, call 415-345-3900, ext. 13.

On Tuesday November 4th, enjoy a special farm dinner at SEVEN HILLS with David Little of Little Organic Farm in Petaluma. The five-course menu includes produce sourced almost exclusively from Little’s farm, along with other ingredients from Marin and Sonoma counties. The dinner is $90 per person, including a box of produce from the farm, but not including drinks, tax, or tip. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant. (Psssst, there will be a sunchoke cappuccino with white truffle from Alba.) 1550 Hyde St. at Pacific, 415-775-1550.

Millennium            - 5912 College Ave. Oakland - 510-735-9459

Fall Book Events: Gabrielle Hamilton (!) and Marcus Samuelsson

New York’s amazing chef and author Gabrielle Hamilton will be in the bay next month, promoting her new cookbook, Prune. There are a few ways to catch her; don’t miss one of these delicious events. First, she’ll be at March on Sunday November 9th from 12pm-2pm, signing books and talking about her recipes. Email for more information. 3075 Sacramento St. at Baker, 415-931-7433.

That evening, catch her at a dinner at Left Bank in Larkspur with Book Passage at 6:30pm. Tickets are $125 for one or $185 for a pair, and include food, wine, tax, tip, and a signed copy of the book (just one book for the pair of tickets). 507 Magnolia Ave. at Ward, Larkspur, 415-927-3331.

On Monday November 10th, she’ll be at Shed in Healdsburg, doing a special lunch with recipes from the cookbook and, of course, sharing stories from Prune. Tickets are $95 per person or $145 for a pair, and include lunch, wine, dessert, tax, tip, and one copy of the book. 25 North St. at Foss, Healdsburg, 707-431-7433.

Then, at 6pm on Monday November 10th, she’ll be at Camino sharing even more recipes and dishes. A reception with drinks, a book signing, and snacks starts the evening, followed by dinner at 7pm. Tickets are $136 and include food, wine, tax, and tip. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event. 3917 Grand Ave. at Sunnyslope, Oakland, 510-547-5035.

Marcus Samuelsson will also be in town with a new book, Marcus Off Duty: The Recipes I Cook at Home. On Sunday November 2nd, he’ll be doing a two-part event with Green Apple Books on the Park. First, from 6pm-8pm, catch him at Nopalito on 9th Avenue, where he’ll be at an intimate reception talking about the book with drinks and food from Nopalito. Tickets to the reception are $100 per person and include a copy of the book, two drinks, and all the carnitas, tacos, and pollo al pibil you can manage. From 8pm-9pm, he’ll be at the Green Apple store across the street, signing books and answering questions. The book signing is free and open to the public. Nopalito: 1224 9th Ave. at Lincoln, 415-233-9966. Green Apple Books on the Park: 1231 9th Ave. at Lincoln, 415-742-5833.

510 News: Kushido, Cat Town, Octopus Literary Salon, The Lodge, JJ Burger

KUSHIDO, a new yakitori-style Japanese restaurant, is now open in Temescal. Owner Jonathan Moon’s project is inspired by the izakayas of Japan, where yakitori skewers are served alongside beer and other beverages. Think of it as a drinking place with good food, not the other way around. They’ve got a real binchotan grill that’s visible to diners, where more than 20 types of yakitori are grilled, including bacon-wrapped mochi and different cuts of chicken. They’ve also got several Japanese beers on tap, as well as  sake and shochu. There are also some non-yakitori items on the menu, like sashimi and ramen. Hours are Tue-Sat 5pm-11pm. 4828 Telegraph Ave. at 48th St., Oakland, no phone.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that cats are the new black and soon you’ll be able to hang out with friendly felines at every café and restaurant in the Bay Area. Opening on Saturday (excuse me, Caturday) October 25th is Oakland’s CAT TOWN CAFE, a space where you can get coffee from Bicycle Coffee Co., bagels from Authentic Bagel Co., and sweet pastries from Kitchener Collective. Within the café is the fully contained Cat Zone, where you can take your food and drink and hang out with cats of all sorts. This is not all just for fun, though: the cats at Cat Town are available for adoption through the Cat Town nonprofit, an organization that has been rescuing cats from the East Bay’s overcrowded shelters since 2011. You can even reserve a spot in the Cat Zone for a donation of $10 to the organization. Meow! Café hours are 8am-7pm and Cat Zone hours are 10am-7pm. 2869 Broadway at 29th St., Oakland, 510-915-1454.

Liquor license activity tipped us off to a cool new project opening this winter, called THE OCTOPUS LITERARY SALON. Details are still a bit spare, but the space is inspired by salons and pubs in Europe, where people of all ages gather to eat, drink, discuss literary happenings, and listen to live music. Construction has started and they are targeting a January opening—of course we’ll keep you updated. In the meantime, catch one of their pop-up salons; follow along on Twitter for updates. 2101 Webster St. at 22nd St., Oakland.

Some more liquor license activity: last month we mentioned the upcoming project from Alexeis Filipello (Stag’s Lunchette, Bar Dogwood) and Matt EIseman called THE LODGE, but we couldn’t quite reveal the location just yet. Since license activity has hit the wires, we can now reveal it’s going to be opening in the former Egbert Souse’s in North Oakland. It’s looking like 90 days to build out, so expect a spring opening. To recap: The Lodge will mostly be a bar with classic cocktails and some top-notch bar food/small plates (think Bay Area classics, like oysters on the half shell, plus fish fries, crudo, chowder, and salads). There’s a nice lodge setting and a patio, with about 60 seats in all. We’ll keep you updated! 3758 Piedmont Ave. at MacArthur, Oakland.

It looks like there is a new spot in Grand Lake, called JJ BURGER. East Bay Express reports that the new spot has moved into the former Kung Pao Kitchen and is serving slightly elevated burger, with fresh toppings, brioche buns, and quality meat. There are also lots of patty choices, including chicken, turkey, and an ahi tuna poke burger. Hours are Tue-Sun 11am-9pm. 3415 Grand Ave. at Elwood, Oakland, 510-451-0633.

the sponsor

This Round Is On Me... (hey, thanks!)

(Sponsored): Grand Wine Tasting and Fall Price Crush at The Natural Grocery Company Annex (El Cerrito)

The Natural Grocery Company’s new Prepared Food Annex (note address below) is now a destination for a sizable selection of organic and biodynamic wines and craft beers.

In celebration of the Annex’s inaugural holiday season, wine and beer director Sarah Valor is hosting a Grand Wine Tasting and Fall Price Crush on Sunday October 26th from 2pm-6pm. More than 35 wines from California, France, Italy, Austria, and Germany will be available for customers to try before they buy. Come taste (and buy) wines such as Chateau Le Bergey, Bordeaux, France; Señorío de P. Peciña, Rioja, Spain; or Vincent Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, Oregon. These and many others are available. Mix-and-match case discounts of 20 percent apply that day through the end of the October.

Wine tasting cost: $10 per person, free with purchase of a case (twelve 750ml bottles) on the 26th of October.

While you’re there, grab some Pugs Leap cheese (the only place you can find it outside of Napa) or cheese platters like the Olé, Olé (featuring all Spanish selections) and the Tutti Antipasti, which includes amazing Italian specialties as well as charcuterie. The Winners Table highlights the American Cheese Society’s award-winning cheeses. All platters include the accoutrements one expects with cheese and are priced to sell ($39.99 to $79.99 serving 5 to 25 guests).

Address: 10387 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530

the lush

Bar News & Reviews (put it on my tab)

West Coast Wine-Cheese Now Open in Cow Hollow

Not too long ago, we mentioned WEST COAST WINE-CHEESE was coming to Cow Hollow, a wine and small plates bistro from Chris Wanner and Lindsey Repose. Well, this duo of wine professionals just tied the knot, and now they have opened their stylish hangout (but they will be keeping things unpretentious).

You can take a look at their West Coast-driven wine list and learn about the winemakers (which are listed with each wine). There are plenty of cheeses, salumi, and small plates like rillettes, salads, and a couple of sweets too. You will also find some beers on the list.

And since the Giants are in the World Series (!!!), you can enjoy a glass of the Mumm Napa Brut Prestige (Giants label) sparkling wine while watching the game on the flatscreens in there. Oh yeah, and they added some Saigon-style chicken wings too. Hours are Tue-Fri 4pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-10pm. 2165 Union St. at Fillmore, 415-577-9357.

Liquid Gold Opening on Hyde This Weekend

We have been tracking the progress of LIQUID GOLD since the very beginning, and now owner Tim Lee has let us know the grand opening is this Saturday October 25th.

It’s a casual neighborhood bottle shop and taproom, with 45 seats in all. You can sidle up to the bar, grab a spot in the window or at the loungy couch area, and start taking your pick from breweries like Track 7, Fort Point, Pine Street, and Almanac (there are 30 mostly local craft beers on draft, but they’ll feature some rare ones from around the U.S. as well). Local wineries on tap include the Winery SF, Cellars 33, and Bluxome Street. Even better: Liquid Gold ended up getting their off-sale license for beer and wine after all, so you can bring any discoveries home with you.

Hours for now are Mon-Thu 2pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 2pm-12am, and Sun 1pm-8pm (they may open earlier for sporting events). Speaking of: they have TVs in there, so you can watch the Giants! 1040 Hyde St. at California, 415-660-5142.

Bar Replacing Esta Noche, Bond, Opening in November

After the sad closure of Esta Noche, the Mission bar is now being transformed by the same team behind Wish in SoMa. The new project, called BOND, will be opening in the next three weeks, after renovations are completed. About that name: it’s got nothing to do with 007, but is instead based on “the inner bond that draws one person to another,” a quote from Rumi. The ties that bind us? Yeah, we’re not going in there without a safe word.

As for the renovations, apparently the building used to house a three-story hotel, but the top two floors were destroyed in a fire in the 1970s. Rather than rebuild those levels, the owner turned the space into a one-story building, with a stairwell dead-ending onto the roof. This old architecture has been emphasized and exposed, and the hotel reception area is now restored, along with a lit arch and some windows that have been opened back up. Look for occasional DJ nights and mostly custom-recorded music on the sound system that’s designed by Barry Katz of JK Sound. Hours will likely be daily 4pm-2am. 3079 16th St. at Valencia.

Aperitivo Hour Takes Off

After our tablehopper aperitivo event at 54 Mint in July, we are so happy to see the Italian tradition of aperitivo hour taking off, at 54 Mint (with specials from 4pm-6pm), at Plin on weekends, and now at LOCANDA on Sunday through Thursday from 5:30pm-6:30pm. Drink specials include $8 cocktails, glasses of wine for $6, and $4 Moretti; all drinks come with complimentary marinated olives and chips cacio e pepe.

Locanda            - 557 Valencia St. San Francisco - 415-863-6800

the starlet

Star Sightings in Restaurants (no photos please)

Giant San Francisco Experience

Giants pitchers Jeremy Affeldt and Erik Cordier stopped at quintessential breakfast joint Mama’s Washington Square on Friday morning, and even took photos with staff and patrons. Their morning was made even more classically San Francisco when they got a parking ticket for their troubles. Wah wah.

Not That Kind of Tosca

Writer, comedian, and overall girl-of-the-moment Lena Dunham was at Tosca Cafe last Thursday after doing a book reading at the Nourse theater. Eater reports that she was joined by two lady friends, and, like the millennial she is, posted some quippy photos and tweets while she was there.