One year after helping open three-star Lower Haight gem Maven, chef and partner David Kurtz has resigned. In his place as executive chef is chef de cuisine Isaac Miller (who used to work at Sons & Daughters and Manresa), according to Inside Scoop.
Inside Scoop has more:
The overall concept and menu design of Maven will stay the same, but Miller will make the menu his own, with an eye toward making plates more robust. Though established favorites like the duck sliders will remain, new dishes (Roast Suckling Pig with Earl Grey Prunes; Grapefruit Granita with Chartreuse White Chocolate) are on the menu already.
According to the owner, Jay Bordeleau, they now want to do away with "being precious" and plan on "putting a little more food on the plate." Okay?
On a personal note, Maven was nothing short of delightful. The two very tipsy times we moseyed up the the bar for dinner, we had a shockingly wonderful time, service- and food-wise. Not very descriptive, we know, but... there you have it. And, yeah, the portions were small. Petite. No soup that eats like meal here, guys. Oh, but it's a goddamn darling spot (e.g., living walls!) for taking a date. Valentine's Day approaches, folks.
Maven: 598 Haight (at Steiner), S.F.; 415-829-7982