Two weeks ago, the brand new San Francisco Cooking School (690 Van Ness Avenue) quietly began teaching private classes to non-professionals. Come January, the school will begin professional classes for its first incoming class of prospective chefs. The school was founded by longtime Tante Marie's Cooking School instructor Jodi Liano and her husband Tony, and the primary instructor is chef Catherine Pantsios, who's worked in the kitchens at Zuni, Zola's, and Hayes Street Grill, among others.
The historic Telephone and Telegraph Building.Photo: Wonderlane/Flickr
Grub Street first floated the rumor two months back that Bar Agricole was potentially expanding with a new project at the historic 140 New Montgomery, which is undergoing a massive renovation. Now, following on news that Aziza is relocating to the larger of the two ground-level spaces in the building, the Scoop brings confirmation that Agricole's Thad Vogler has inked a deal for the other space, and will open Whiteside Company there in late 2013. The concept is an all-day café and bar with a simple food program centered around butchery, and a raw bar.
Yep, it shall be the Winter of Ramen. Tablehopper brings word that another ramen establishment called Oodles, from the same group that just opened Root, has just debuted in the Excelsior at 4995 Mission Street (at Italy). Also on the menu: soju. [Tablehopper]
The dog.
Last weekend, a pipe backup in the SoMa Grand building flooded both the lobby and the adjacent Heaven's Dog (1148 Mission Street), and the restaurant has subsequently been closed all week. As the Scoop reports, the cleanup is ongoing and Charles Phan and co. hope to reopen next week, on November 9. There were rumors last year that Phan was intending to make some changes at Heaven's Dog, and maybe he'll use this opportunity? Stay tuned. [Scoop]
Hetfield (left) with two servers.
The space, back when it was Spire.
The new Thai restaurant in the former Spire space (685 Third Street), originally dubbed Baan Thai & Whiskey Lounge, has just opened, but it's now called Root. As Tablehopper reports, they're open for lunch and dinner, serving contemporary Thai cuisine, and the whiskey program is still to come, maybe by the end of the month. Also, they'll eventually do brunch. As for the upstairs bar called The Alchemist, that opening is still TBA. [Tablehopper, Earlier]
Across the street from Redd Wood in Yountville is a new restaurant from Frank Altamura of Altamura Winery. It's called Ciccio (6770 Washington Street), and we first heard about it last year, and as of this week it's open for breakfast only, meaning coffee and pastries. The Scoop reports that the 50-seat trattoria in the former Gordon’s Cafe and Wine Bar will be open for dinner starting November 14, with a selection of pizzas and entrées from the wood-burning oven, as well as a daily pasta and some other snacks, using local ingredients including some from Altamura's own ranch. Also look for a selection of Altamura's own wines, and Italian cocktails as well. [Scoop]
Et Al (2255 Polk Street), the new wine bar from Biondivino owner Ceri Smith, is finally set to open after a number of delays. They'll be softly open tonight from 5 p.m. to midnight pouring wine, however the food side of things won't kick in for at least a week — Amaryll Schwertner and Lori Regis of Boulette's Larder, who are doing the menu, have been stuck in New York this week. Expect an eclectic mix of wines, partly from Biondivino's Italian-focused collection but also featuring others (hence, "et al"), like Rieslings, Champagnes, Georgian wines, and rosés. As Tablehopper reports, regular hours, once everything is in place, will be 7 a.m. to midnight. [Tablehopper, Earlier]
Photo: J. Barmann/Grub Street
The planned expansion of Humphry Slocombe with a bakery/café concept called The Parlour has been nixed, and its place at the 20th and Florida complex will be a new location of Sightglass Coffee instead. Humphry Slocombe partner Sean Vahey tells Eater that the ice creamery has "decided to focus on the opportunities we have to [expand our brand] versus pursuing an entirely new line of business with The Parlour." The plan had been to move in to a space adjacent to the about-to-open bar Trick Dog, from the Bon Vivants as well as Salumeria and Central Kitchen. But it seems like Sightglass will be just as good a fit, and will mean that the burgeoning coffee brand will make its first inroad into the Mission, just two blocks from Blue Bottle's new coffee bar at the Heath factory. [Eater, Earlier]
It's a good thing?
How's this for timing? Executives at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia — the company that puts out all things Martha — announced this week that they'd lay off 70 people from its 600-person staff. Additionally, they'll kill the recipe-focused Everyday Food as a stand-alone magazine and instead wrap it into Martha Stewart Living. The company will also try to sell another of its magazines, health-heavy Whole Living, to someone else. The moves are expected to save the struggling company between $33 and $35 million per year. [Adweek, Daily Intel]
“Billy's Philly”
Billy is only there after 5 pm but if you are around go there and ask for his billy philly, the best philly you'll find this side of the Mississippi.
“Elegant Sauces & Fabulous Bread”
It is the place me and my love go for every intimate moment.
“Are you kidding?”
You have to be totally drunk to think that this is even acceptable as a public watering hole.
