We've told you about Urban Putt, and it was supposed to open this month, but with just a slight delay, this is really happening, people. The new 14-hole minuature golf course with its own bar and restaurant is debuting on the corner of 22nd and South Van Ness on May 5. Get excited.
It wasn't long ago when the idea of entertainments such as bowling and mini-golf were but pie-in-the-sky dreams for the down and dirty, food- and bar-centric Mission, but now we have both! Or at least we will in a few weeks. (See Mission Bowling Club)
And like Mission Bowling Club, this fun palace would not be complete without a semi-sophisticated bar program, and a chef worth his salt. They hired chef Dane Boryta, most recently of Bottle Cap in North Beach, to do some deep-dish, Chicago-style pizzas, as well as other booze friendly fare like poutine with duck confit, curd cheese, hand-cut fries and peppercorn gravy; a dish of baby back ribs, heirloom cannelloni beans, mustard BBQ sauce and lacinato kale; and a wedge salad with iceberg lettuce, Point Reyes blue cheese, bacon, egg and cherry tomatoes ($9). Pizza options include the Caddy Shack with applewood smoked bacon, jalapeño peppers, broccoli, leeks, ricotta, mozzarella, and tomato sauce.
There's room for about 50 people on the golf course at once, with 70 more in the restaurant and 35 in the bar, and they've got two private dining rooms for larger groups of 15-25.
The renovation of the space, which was formerly a defunct mortuary in a Victorian building that's been vacant for 15 years, was handled by architect Matt Hollis, who also designed Mission Bowling Club.
And, as discussed before, this is all the brainchild of Steve Fox, a former Editorial Director at PC World and CNET who also happens to be a big fan of Rube Goldberg-type contraptions, which should be making appearances on the course. There will be SF-themed holes based on things like "Day of the Dead," earthquakes, Playland on the Beach, and the TransAmerica Pyramid.
Urban Putt will be open, starting May 5, seven days a week for dinner and weekend brunch, with no one under 21 allowed in after 8 p.m.
Exciting, exciting stuff. Start practicing those putts, nerds.
Urban Putt - 1096 South Van Ness Avenue at 22nd - 415-341-1080