As we noted in our Fall Preview, Quince’s casual cousin Cotogna (490 Pacific Avenue), is on track for a mid-October opening. Owners Michael and Lindsay Tusk talk with the Chron today about the restaurant, next door in the former Myth Café space, the name of which means “quince” in Italian. “We wouldn’t have moved if we didn’t have the opportunity to do a casual concept,” Lindsay says, referring to last fall’s relocation of Quince from Pacific Heights to their current location downtown. They’ve hired Chez Panisse alum Ryan Childs as chef, and the plan is for pizza, pastas, and roasted meats from a shiny new wood-fired rotisserie and grill, imported from Tuscany.
Entrée prices will top out around $20, and there’ll be a prix fixe wine list too from wine director David Lynch, with all Italian bottles priced at an even $40. A seasonal cocktail list is in the works from the Bon Vivants, which Scott Baird earlier told us will pair well with the strong, wood-fired flavors of the menu.
Also of note, following up on Grub Street’s July report that Quince’s chef de cuisine Thomas Lents took his leave, the Scoop now learns that his replacement is Tim Caspare, who arrives from New York where he’s been working under Daniel Humm at Eleven Madison Park.
S.F., Meet Cotogna, Quince’s Rustic Little Sis [Inside Scoop/Chron]
More details on Cotogna, the quickly-nearing casual concept from Quince [Scoop]
