This week brought us our first peek at Petit Crenn in Hayes Valley, which makes its debut next week, and some new details about Volta, the new French-ish brasserie on its way to the former 'wichcraft space behind Bloomingdales, from the Perbacco team. But here's what else has been over the food wires.
Manny Torres Gimenez, the guy behind The Palace in the Mission, took over the nearby former Savanna Jazz Club space and has already quietly opened a modern Caribbean spot called Coco Frio there, as Inside Scoop reports. With his first full liquor license you'll find a bunch of rum cocktails, and a convivial atmosphere reminiscent of the islands. And like at the Palace and earlier at Mr. Pollo, Gimenez will offer a value-priced three-course prix fixe, currently starting at $29.99.
And you know how Cole Valley's Ice Cream Bar has a spinoff in the works on Castro Street near 18th? Well, it's now slated for fall/winter, and it will be called The Castro Fountain, as Hoodline reports. The BAR just reported that the place got its approvals this week.
Eater brings us the news about the new name and concept for Circa in the Marina, which will now be known as The Dorian, a "modern day parlor" from the Palm House/Bererac team. The focus is American food, as well as whiskey, and they'll be doing "classics like seafood towers, steak tartare and mussel fries."
Big news in Berkeley as the folks behind Comal open their second restaurant there, The Advocate (2635 Ashby), with chef John Griffiths in charge. Inside Scoop brings us both a food and cocktail preview, and you should know the focus is Mediterranean with some North African influence, and of course, it's through a "California lens." The place is officially open as of tonight.
Four-year-old Nojo on Franklin Street is getting some new owners, and rather than focusing on sophisticated robata preparations and such, the place will refocus on ramen going forward, as Hoodline reports.
Hoodline also has a bunch of details about Prohibition, coming to Broadway and Kearny in North Beach, which will feature high-end twists on American comfort food and is hoping to "change the demographic" of the neighborhood when it debuts late this year.
Cafe Claude spinoff Claudine, in the Financial District, is shuttering next week and will be transforming into a fast-casual concept from the same restaurant group, as Inside Scoop reports.
That Japanese curry spot, Fumi Curry, which was mentioned earlier as joining the new "Nano-Tokyo" that is Bernal Heights, has now opened, per Bernalwood.
This Week In Reviews
For his midweek update Michael Bauer returned to longtime Marina fave, Presidio Social Club, which he finds still going strong, and still serving up "charm," despite a few missteps. He raves about the whole roast pig they do on Sundays, but says appetizers are kind of a weak link. Service, however, has improved, and all told he gives them two and a half stars.
And for Sunday the review is of Lord Stanley, the refined and ambitious new Polk Street spot from chef couple Carrie and Rupert Blease, who relocated here from New York. He finds himself duly impressed with the a la carte menu, in particular a deconstructed boulliabaisse. But he's disappointed in his tasting menu experience, and also unimpressed with the desserts. The verdict, though he believes they may improve: two and a half stars.
And much fanfare was given this week to former SF Weekly critic Anna Roth taking on a new Chronicle review series titled “Eat Up,” whichis pretty much a rebranding of “Cheap Eats.” Her first stop, where she's thoroughly impressed with all the sandwich is offerings is B. on the Go.
Over at the Weekly, Pete Kane brings us a review of sushi chef Jackson Yu's new 14-seat restaurant Omakase, where he's thoroughly impressed with the "non-stop nigiri" of many varieties, and the lack of menu choices it's all in the chef's hands, you just choose how many courses you want. The "sexiest" part of the meal, he says, is the unique uni preparation, served barely still alive in its own chopped open exoskeleton.
