Previews

The Grub Street S.F. Fall Restaurant Preview

El Paseo, the quaint, formerly Michelin-starred eatery in Mill Valley, will reopen as Tyler Florence's baby in November.
El Paseo, the quaint, formerly Michelin-starred eatery in Mill Valley, will reopen as Tyler Florence’s baby in November.

It’s that time of year again when everyone publishes their Fall Previews, and Grub Street is no exception. Today we round up for you, insofar as our crystal balls allow, everything you have to look forward to in the S.F. food universe in the coming months — from several brand new pizza options, to Quince’s casual cousin, to new steakhouses in the Mission, SoMa, and beyond. Read on, and you’ll have lots to tell your friends.

These dates are, obviously, estimated by all concerned and subject to change.

SEPTEMBER

The Summit (780 Valencia) - The new venture from Poleng Lounge guy Desi Danganan, with food by Eddie Lau, is going to swing open its doors September 7 15 21.

Una Pizza Napoletana - Anthony Mangieri’s much anticipated new S.F. outpost, where he promises the most authentic and perfect Neapolitan pies the city’s yet to see, is aiming for a September 15 opening, beating fall by a couple of weeks. What we can’t wait for: One of Anthony’s signature, simple, mozzarella, tomato, and basil pies with a nice glass of red from Campania. See our sneak peek slideshow here.

Plum (2214 Broadway, Oakland) - One of the most highly anticipated openings of the season comes from Coi chef Daniel Patterson and his team, including Il Cane Rosso chef Lauren Kiino and pastry chef Bill Corbett. The small, neighborhood restaurant up the street from the Paramount in Oakland will feature affordable food with “Coi lineage,” as Patterson told us in the spring. Look for the opening right around mid-September. What we can’t wait for: Sometime in late fall or winter, Plum will expand into the wine bar space next door, adding a full service, fancy cocktail bar with a menu by bar star Scott Beattie as well as a rotating list of guest bartenders from all over the West. Update: The opening has been pushed to late September, and still TBA.

Alexander’s Steakhouse (448 Brannan) - The replacement for Bacar, which should open mid-month with much of Bacar’s staff still intact, is the first of a string of new steakhouses arriving in town. Update: Opening is set for Monday, September 13.

Ragazza (311 Divisadero) - The Gialina empire expands with this new Divisadero Street pizzeria from owner Sharon Ardiana. Tablehopper tells us to look for it in September, and we believe her. Update: They open on September 22.

Arizmendi Bakery (1270 Valencia) - Also on its way, this time over in the Mission next door to Heart, is a new branch of East-Bay-based bread and pizza collective Arizmendi – named for a Basque labor organizer. This won’t be Neapolitan pizza per se, but more California style with a wheat-y crust and farm-fresh toppings, with flavors changing daily.

Fish Story - The new restaurant from the Lark Creek folks in Napa’s Riverfront complex should be ready to roll by mid-month. Update: Open on September 20.

Grub (758 Valencia) - It’s been a long, long time coming, but Grub should be open any week now… complete with burger and mac-and-cheese bars.

Toast (1601 Polk) - The new breakfast-oriented place in the former Bob’s Broiler should be open soonish, we think.

Fresca (737 Irving) - Look for the latest branch of this Nuevo Latino small plates joint to open in the former PJ’s Oysterbed space by early fall.

Trader Vic’s (Emeryville) - The newly remodeled and polished up Tiki spot reopens on September 23 28 with new booths, new tables, and a revamped menu.

Also don’t forget… Cocktail Week kicks off on September 21.


OCTOBER

Cotogna (490 Pacific Street) - The new casual cousin to Quince (the word means ‘quince’ in Italian) in the former Myth Café space will have a rustic Italian menu featuring spit-roasted whole hogs, roasted fish, wood-oven pizza, and pasta that’s a little “looser” than at Quince, with prices topping out at $25. Also, they’ll have a full cocktail program from the Bon Vivants, who also did the bar program at Quince. Though it could still be pushed, Zagat reported back in July that Cotogna was aiming for Labor Day, but our sources tell us it’s going to be a bit later than that.

Dcantr (2124 Folsom) - Saison chef Josh Skenes and wine director Mark Bright are launching a casual wine bar concept in the Stable Café space at the front of their building (the cafe only operates during the day, leaving open much nighttime potential), with the working title Dcantr. The idea is to offer both wine and an a la carte menu, possibly with some stuff cooked in the new outdoor hearth. But all the details remain up in the air.

25 Lusk - This massive new South Beach eatery in a former industrial space will offer “approachable fine dining” from chef Matthew Dolan, formerly of Garibaldi’s and Emeril’s in New Orleans.

Biergarten - By the first or second week of October, the Suppenkuche guys should have their outdoor beer garden concept opening up in the semi-temporary Proxy project in Hayes Valley (Octavia between Hayes and Fell). What we can’t wait for: Octoberfest in an actual, outdoor beer garden. Update: This project, along with the semi-attached Pizzeria Delfina, look to be delayed until the New Year.

Boxing Room (Gough & Grove) - The new venture by the Absinthe and Arlequin team, going into the former Citizen Cake space, will be sort of a middle sister in terms of dining casualness, between the other two restaurants. Also, it will serve as a great place for the overflow bar crowd at Absinthe to go on weekends. They were aiming for late summer, but we’re guessing, judging by the lack of activity in the space, that it’ll be October. What we can’t wait for: A fresh drink program from Carlos Yturria with some hopefully cheap eats to boot. UPDATE: The Scoop is now saying that the project is getting pushed into early 2011, and chef Justin Simoneaux has signed on. The menu will be New Orleans-influenced.

House of Shields (39 New Montgomery) - Perhaps it will arrive earlier? But we’re banking on a mid-fall re-opening for the newly renovated House of Shields, with a food menu (and likely a more adult vibe) from chef Dennis Leary and his new second-in-command Livio Velardo.

Radish (3465 19th Street) - A new “seasonal soul food” restaurant is coming to the space across from the Lexington Club.

Bourbon Steak - Michael Mina’s steakhouse concept, which he’s previously rolled out in places like Miami and Arizona, arrives in the soon-to-be-former Restaurant Michael Mina space in the St. Francis on October 7. What we can’t wait for: His signature butter-poached, slow-roasted steaks.

Jones - The new lounge from the guys behind Mighty, in what’s likely to be a very popular space underneath the Gaylord Suites, will feature a menu from Oola chef Ola Fendert. What we can’t wait for: Drinks on the massive outdoor patio overlooking Geary Street.

Plate Shop - Kim Alter’s hyper-local, garden-to-table restaurant should be opening in the former Gatsby’s space in Sausalito by mid-month. Update: Delayed until January.

Michael Mina (252 California) - The savvy restaurateur is moving his eponymous restaurant to the former Aqua space, stripping out the tablecloths, and reworking the concept into something more casual. Look for the opening around mid- to late-October.

Belle Epoque (1408 Clement Street) - The new, casual, small plate bistro from Chapeau! chef Philippe Gardelle put in a liquor license app way back in March, but we’re going to be optimistic here and put this opening in October. This is the space where Chapeau! used to be, btw. Update: This still hasn’t happened as of December…

Rotisserie & Wine - Tyler Florence’s downtown Napa concept, in the same Riverfront development that is now home to Morimoto Napa, will bring a family-friendly atmosphere with a very simple concept: wines by the glass (including Tyler’s own, new label), and excellently prepared rotisserie meats and sides. What we can’t wait for: An affordable, casual, post-wine-tasting stopover.

NOVEMBER

Black Sheep Pub - Please see this update in re: Alex Jackson.

El Paseo - Tyler Florence’s smaller, more personal project in his new hometown of Mill Valley has morphed from a strictly locavore, farm-to-table concept to more of a “California steakhouse” – maybe closer to the “rustic American tavern” concept originally announced. But never fear: Sammy Hagar is still involved. [Zagat]

Antica Pizzeria Napoletana (18th and Valencia) - The Neapolitan pizza wave will continue with this entry from the Farina team. We feel like it will get confusing, what with Mangieri’s place having such a similar name, but hopefully being in different ‘hoods will keep them out of each others’ customer base. Update: They’re saying “before the holidays,” so that could mean December, or later if things don’t all go smoothly. Update: Probably looking at early 2011.

Seven Hills Restaurant (1550 Hyde) - All we’ve heard is “mid-autumn” for this new restaurant from a new generation of the Alioto family. But we’re going to put them in November, because that’s how these things go.

Long Bar (new name still TBD) - The bistro at Fillmore & Clay was recently bought by bar star Reza Esmaili is getting a new “approachable, American” concept with the help of chef Erik Hopfinger. Look for the place to close for a few days in November for a quick makeover.

DECEMBER

Atelier Crenn (3127 Fillmore) - Refined technique, farm-to-table ideals, highly original and modern dishes, and a fine wine list will certainly make this one of the most buzz-worthy, late-season openers. Dominique Crenn has cut her teeth for years working in Michelin-starred kitchens in France and launching Luce for Intercontinental Hotels, and it’s time for her glory moment, in the cozy former PlumpJack Café space. Update: Delayed until January.

Lark Creek Pizza - The final entry onto the pizza scene will be this, slightly more corporate affair, on the top floor of the Westfield center, next door to Lark Creek Steak. Update: Delayed until early 2011.

Shimo Modern Steak - You sensing a trend? Douglas Keane’s new Cyrus-offshoot steakhouse in downtown Healdsburg takes its name from the word for the “frost” or marbling on Wagyu beef.

Homeroom (400 40th Street, Oakland) - The all mac-and-cheese eatery from Local Lemons blogger Allison Arevalo and her partner Erin Wade will feature lots and lots of dairy. What we can’t wait for: More of the spicy mac-and-cheese we had at Eat Real this weekend, except with a crusty top.

Sympathy for the Devil - A new steakhouse from Corner chef Alex Jackson Please see this update in re: Alex Jackson.

A FEW MORE OUTLIERS

Bracina - The new Jack London Square venture from the Daniel Patterson Group, helmed by chef Lauren Kiino, *might* make it online by December, but we’re guessing it will likely be in the New Year.

Citizen Cake - We’ve given up trying to pin down the relocated venture from Elizabeth Falkner and co. that was supposed to be open in the spring, and activity definitely appeared to have halted up in the former Vivande Porta Via space. We’ll let you know when we do.

Aqua - The Whisk Group bought the name and the assets of the storied restaurant, and have yet to announce where they’ll be relocating it. Stay tuned.

Locanda - It sounds like the opening of Craig Stoll’s much anticipated Roman trattoria in the former Ramblas space has been pushed to January. Nevertheless, there will be a line.

Pizzeria Delfina at Proxy - The aforementioned, semi-temporary structure going in along Octavia Street is moving right along, and Craig Stoll’s wood-fired pizza portion may open anywhere between November and February.

Unnamed Jeremy Fox Project - We’re still not sure where it is, but we hear it could be up in Napa, like his former gig Ubuntu, where he made his name. In any event, he promises “it won’t be what anyone expects,” and he promises to roll out another surprise project soon as well.

Unnamed LGBT Center Roof/Patio Eatery
- Still no concept announced, but they’re taking proposals, and it could move quickly.

Unnamed Charles Phan Project - Phan says it will probably be 2011 before this project comes to light, but there’s a small chance we’ll see a new restaurant with a full bar in the former Slanted Door space before then.

Three Other Jack London Square Bits
- Richard Corbo’s Pizzeria Zanna Bianca has been in an indefinite holding pattern, along with a new Bar Bambino-helmed European delicatessen called Mia Filino. Also, Eater had word that New York’s Michael Bao had inked a lease for a 6500-square-foot space on the second floor of one of the new buildings in the JLS. These might all arrive on Bracina’s coattails.

A Jon’s Street Eats Permanent Restaurant - Look for it in Oakland, and maybe not too soon.

Unnamed Gary Danko Brasserie - They’re aiming for early 2011.

Stowe Lake Boathouse
- Yay, burgers from Chad Newton in Golden Gate Park! They’re saying “mid-winter” as of now.

Leopold’s
(2400 Polk) - A new Austrian-Italian restaurant is coming, possibly not until early 2011, in the Antica Trattoria space. [Scoop]

The Grub Street S.F. Fall Restaurant Preview