In the former Pizza Inferno space at the edge of Japantown, already open, is Academy Bar & Kitchen (1800 Fillmore Street at Sutter), which SFist first learned about back in February. The restaurant is the passion project of chef Nick Pallone who spent the last four years as executive chef at nearby Florio, and in more ways than one it's going to be a family affair.

As The New Fillmore reports, the aforementioned gallery walls of the restaurant are going to play host rotating art shows curated by Pallone's sister, Davina Pallone, beginning with works by Christian Rothenhagen.

Also, Pallone's Dad’s Meatballs and Sunday Gravy made it onto the snack menu, and he says his food career took inspiration from watching his grandmother form gnocchi when he was a kid. And while the Italian influence is apparent in his food, he chose the name for the place specifically so he wouldn't be pinned down ethnically with the food — his dad's job took the family all over the world when he was growing up, and Pallone says, "I [want] to have the freedom to do whatever we want, whenever we want, and be ever-evolving."

The menu, meanwhile, is anchored by pizza, with some selections that are unusual (beet-cured salmon with cream cheese; smoked pork belly with dried heirloom tomato and pickled onion) and a few that more expected (wild mushroom with garlic; fennel sausage with ricotta). But you can also expect a selection of cured meats and fish, as well as salads and vegetables, and two dozen local beers on tap.

Added bonus: You can grab food at Academy pretty late — the kitchen will be open until 10 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends.

Go check them out, and find them on Facebook here.