Openings

What to Eat at Frances, Opening in the Castro Tomorrow

The long-awaited Frances from Melissa Perello is scheduled to open tomorrow, finally completing the process that started when she left Fifth Floor on New Year’s Day 2007. After a year off, the last two years have seen her creating a series of special dinners at Sebo as she searched for a place to finally open her dream neighborhood restaurant. Tomorrow we can all go see what that looks like. An early draft of the menu reveals some safe bets like slow-cooked beef and pork confit sharing plates with non-traditional sides like melted Brussels sprouts. The design, from architect Michael Baushke (who also did Ubuntu) features walnut tabletops and counters with an ebony finish. Read on for a look at the full menu, and stop by tomorrow after 5 p.m. to get an early taste.

Bouchées (6.50 each):
Applewood Smoked Bacon Beignets - Crème Fraîche & Chive
‘Albondigas con Salsa Verde’ - Lamb, Pork, Kale and Moorish Spice
Grilled Calamari - Friarelli Peppers, Preserved Lemon and Olive
Crisp Red Kuri Squash - Meyer Lemon and Spiced Aioli
Duck Liver Mousse - Pickled Currants, Cress and Grilled Levain
Caramelized Baby Eggplants - Mint, Fennel & Tzatziki

Appetizers:
Roasted Chestnut Soup - Cipollini Onions and House-Cured Pancetta 9
Star Route Farms Baby Greens- Chanterelles and Crisp Sunchokes 11
County Line Mixed Chicories - Fuyu Persimmon, Almond and Pecorino 10
Semolina Gnocchi - Duck Confit, Red Russian Kale, Grana Padano 12

Entrees:
Slow-Roasted Beef - Creamed Winter Greens, Cipollini & Gremolata 23
Pasture-Raised Chicken - Nectarine & Sweet Herb Farce, Chanterelle Mushrooms 20
Ling Cod Crusted with Boccalone Lardo - Manila Clams & Fingerling Potatoes 23
Lacinato Kale and Crepe Cannelloni - Wild Mushrooms, Leeks and Gouda 17
Crisp Pork Confit - Melted Brussels Sprouts, Rugosa Squash, Mustard Jus 24
Pan-Roasted Ocean Trout - Celery Root Purée, Pink Lady Apple & Cauliflower 24

Sides:
Anson Mills Antebellum Grits 6
Creamed Winter Greens 6
Iacopi Butter Bean and Porcini Ragoût 7

Bread available upon request

Frances, 3870 17th Street nr. Pond St., San Francisco 415-621-3870

Earlier: Perello Looks Ahead to Frances After Sebo Finale [Grub Street SF]

What to Eat at Frances, Opening in the Castro Tomorrow