This week we had the word on Game, which debuted in the former Masa's space on Nob Hill on Thursday, and we also told you about S.F. legend Jeremiah Tower's surprise turn becoming the new chef at New York's Tavern on the Green. Now, here's everything else of note that happened in the local food scene.
Goodbye to all that: After a 14-year run, a three-star rating from Michael Bauer in the early aughts, and most recently, the suspension of its liquor license, Inside Scoop reports that Chenery Park has closed its doors to Glen Park and the world.
On the other hand, the Chron has the story on doors opening at the Westfield Centre's newest restaurant, Tap (415), a(nother) beer garden with not-so-virgin milkshakes from the folks behind 25 Lusk. Schnitzel and smoked ribs are also on order and, embracing the "modern" in "modern beer garden," there are plenty of TVs and promises of mobile payment.
Eater reports of a sushi savant's lunch-only experiment in the Exploratorium, Sachio's Ramen Shop. Chef Sachio Kojima was sotto voce about the move, a departure from his environmentally conscious sashimi, but in keeping with his past work, bowls are reasonably priced and sustainable.
Rotten City Pizza in Emeryville has a new bar on the way and down the street. Next year, it'll be drinks, charcuterie, and cheese focused, says Inside Scoop.
Company parted from its past iteration as the restaurant at Guerrero and 20th became Hoffman's Grill & Rotisserie this week, with meats galore as Eater highlights.
And forget "elevensies" and "fourth meal:" Inside Scoop tells us that Sixth Course on 15th Street between Mission and South Van Ness is the sweets boutique we've been craving. It's taken the crew more than a few years to nail down a brick and mortar location, making truffles and even a porter popsicle all the sweeter.
Week In Reviews:
Anna Roth got historical this week, ducking into Sam's Grill on Bush and Old Ship Saloon at Jackson Square. The former she found "stubbornly old-school" but "surprisingly unromantic." It's a kale-free affair, so Roth advises Sam's Special Seafood Salad, and don't get the hangtown fry, however classic. At Old Ship, where the namesake is buried beneath the bar like so many other vessels, Roth likes the burgers and southern bent.
For his Sunday review, Bauer ate his way through Beso Bistronomia's menu. The new tapas restaurant in a former garage of a Castro Victorian has "a cool zigzagging dining room" where Bisou owners have done "a particularly fine job with the pork belly" and fideau negre, whose "thin segments of pasta, stained black from squid ink, [cling] to the bottom of the cast-iron pan... topped with clams, shrimp, red bell peppers and parsnip." Two and a half stars is the verdict.
Alex Hochman of the Examiner swung by Mid-Market's The Hall. There, he says "if The Hall solely existed as a mechanism to offer The Whole Beast's lamb gyro, I’d be a regular. Smoky, tender shards of lambs neck brought to mind a slightly gamy version of pulled pork." There's good and bad at the temporary hub: for example Mr. Singh’s chicken "fell flat." But overall, the location doesn't fail to excite: "Three cops cuffed and arrested a guy who screamed “What did I do?” repeatedly at the top of his lungs while being hauled out. We never found out - nor did the after-work crowd seem to care - as conversations continued uninterrupted."
This week Bauer also got a taste of the Grateful Dead at original band member Phil Lesh's three-year-old Terrapin Crossroads. He seems to have enjoyed the "exceptional cioppino" and appreciated the "enthusiasm that now permeates the place" under new chef Jason Arbusto. The restaurant lost half a star to land at two and a half, but the headline says the place is platinum.