Ever since Outerlands decided to part ways with the chef who put them on the map, Brett Cooper, everyone's been curious where he might pop up. In May, Cooper signed on to work for the Daniel Patterson Group (Coi, Alta CA, Plum Bar, Haven), first helping re-jigger Plum as a Japanese spot called Ume, with the promise that he'd be opening his own spot in San Francisco. Now Inside Scoop brings word that Cooper's new spot will be in the space currently home to three-and-a-half-year-old Beast and the Hare (1001 Guerrero Street at 22nd Street).
The restaurant has a November ETA ,but does not yet have a name. Cooper promises it will be along the lines of Outerlands, "a neighborhood restaurant that’s got that homey and comfortable feel, but still doing a little more refined food than a typical neighborhood restaurant."
He and partner Patterson are bringing in an acclaimed pastry chef from across the country, Sean Ehland of McCrady's in Charleston, and one can expect the menu to be a bit more vegetable driven than the largely meat-centric Beast and the Hare, given Cooper's past work.
Since opening in early 2011, Beast and the Hare has been a well received spot in this cusp neighborhood between the Mission, Liberty Hill, and Noe Valley, with a focus on meat and charcuterie from Fatted Calf alum Ian Marks. Along with partner Dylan Denicke, they've even built a small cottage industry around the charcuterie, selling their meats and pates to nearby places like Locanda, Wise Sons Deli, and Mission Cheese. Marks has also been well known for some excellent fried chicken, something that only makes occasional appearances on the menu but which is now part of a Saturday chicken-and-waffle brunch at the restaurant from 8 a.m. to noon only. And I'd recommend you check that out while you still can Beast and the Hare has not yet announced a closing date, but it may be soon.
In other news, former Haven and Plum chef Kim Alter should be next on the docket for opening her own spot in S.F. with the backing of Patterson. More on that later.
[Inside Scoop]
[Eater]
