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The past 24 hours in gossip, innuendo, and cold hard facts about the San Francisco food scene.

Kasa Indian’s second truck will take to the City’s streets starting tonight. Eater SF reports the truck
SFoodie

SWITCHAROOS — This week, right under our noses, Martin Castillo replaced his 7-year-old Limon Peruvian restaurant with his newer, more profitable concept, Limon Rotisserie. And just like that all of the plates at 524 Valencia St. are under now, and roasting birds are twirling away in the kitchen. [ISSF]

MISSION PIZZA — The dodgy block of Mission between 16th and 17th is getting some more newness beyond Kúuup. Mission Loc@l mentions something called Mission Pizza (2074 Mission) is on the way “soon.” [Mission Local]

POP-UPS — The FiDi branch of Escape From New York Pizza (333 Bush) turns into King Kong Bar every Thursday through Saturday from 6-9 p.m. Cheap drinks ( max) meet comfort classics such as spicy wings and spinach artichoke dip. [SFoodie]

APPROVAL WIRE — It didn’t look good for a minute, but the Local Mission Eatery crew finally got the go-ahead from the SF Planning Commission for Local’s Corner on 23rd and Bryant Streets. The project has been protested by nearby residents who want to keep the corner residential. [Mission Local]

Limon. [Photo: SF Travel]

Eater SF

Never underestimate the will of San Franciscans to save a beloved watering hole.

The last-minute rush to save Union Square’s Gold Dust Lounge is now in high gear, but yesterday’s Historic Preservation Commission meeting didn’t, as predicted, yield any immediate victories. While not outright rejecting the bar owners’ proposal to give landmarks protection to the bar’s interior, the commissioners tabled the item until March 21, because the landlords stepped in to claim they had not been given significant enough warning of the preservation proposal. That delay might, in and of itself, doom the bar to destruction because they have an eviction notice for March 7. But things got a lot more interesting this week, and now Willie Brown’s getting involved!

But owners Jimmy and Tasio Bovis still have a lawsuit in the works, not yet filed, to try to stave off their eviction.

Preservation architect Chris Ver Plank, who prepared similar backup materials in support of the Tonga Room’s preservation, argues that the Gold Dust’s mahogany bar, oak and brass doors, brass light fixtures, ceiling moldings, mirror and murals constitute a unique blend of Art Deco and 1890s Victorian aesthetics. The current ownership dates to the mid-1960s, with a “Since 1933″ sign on the marquis, but the bar has reportedly been in continuous use as a bar since 1906, with some rumored flouting of Prohibition in there as well.

But now there’s a war of words happening in the press as the momentum builds. Just a couple of weeks ago, the landlords’ spokesman referred to the Gold Dust as “a wonderful bar” whose lease was up. Yesterday, however, we see them calling the place “tawdry” in an official statement denouncing that any of its interior could be considered historically significant.

Meanwhile, Willie Brown may have the most telling words to say on the matter. In a vaguely hostile statement, the former mayor and all around power player comes out in support of the bar and suggests, in no uncertain terms, that the building’s owners had better watch out if they try to bulldoze through this process by any legal means necessary. If they do, they may never get approval for whatever they want to build in place of the bar, such as a second-story retail store with an escalator. To wit:

Were I in [landlord Jon Handlery's] position, I wouldn’t shut it down, until I had reached an accord for what I intend to have it replaced with. And I would guess that the Board of Supervisors will not vote, nor the City Planning Commission, to approve the demolition of this place to be replaced by a moving staircase. He’s going to have a lot of trouble. His trouble has not even commenced yet.

When Willie talks, they’re probably going to listen. And we probably haven’t heard the last of the gold-glitter-clad protesters. So maybe this fight isn’t over with simple eviction proceedings after all!

Rush is on to save the Gold Dust [Chron]
“Tawdry” Bar Needs To Go, Say Gold Dust Lounge Landlords [SFist]
Willie Brown comes out in support of the Gold Dust [Scoop]
Earlier: Gold Dust Lounge Supporters to Landlord: ‘This Is Going to Get Ugly’

Historic Gold Dust Lounge May Close In a Couple of Months

Read more posts by Jay Barmann

Filed Under: kerfuffles, bars, endangered, gold dust lounge, willie brown

Grub Street San Francisco

The past 24 hours in gossip, innuendo, and cold hard facts about the San Francisco food scene.

Around a dozen protestors showed their love for ducks and geese last night by marching in front of Palio
SFoodie

​The future of food ordering is upon us. New phone apps offer customers the chance to pre-order so that food and drink will waiting when they arrive. Large-scale Mexican chain Chipotle has been offeri
SFoodie

The former International Club. Things are a little brighter in there after a remodel.

As we mentioned the other day, the folks at Front Porch are opening a bar this weekend in the faux-rock-covered former International Club (80 29th Street) called Rock Bar. Eater’s got the first sneak peek, as well as a look at the drink menu, which has some fun stuff on it. We definitely want to try The Real Thunderberg (Maker’s, Bunderberg ginger beer, Underberg, and lime), and we’re chuckling over Fire in the Hole (beer, shot, charcuterie). [Eater]

Read more posts by Jay Barmann

Filed Under: what to drink, bars, empire buildling, front porch, openings, rock bar

Grub Street San Francisco

BEER WIRE - Just in time for SF Beer Week’s big debut this weekend, Southpaw BBQ is ready to release its first beer brewed in its on-site brewery. It’s a porter, and they’ll be using some of it to braise the brisket in the kitchen too. Hyper-local beer lovers should note they’ll also be getting kegs and growlers in soon, so they can offer their beers for sale. A house-brewed pale ale is probably up next. [EaterWire]

EATER INTERVIEWS- Eater National has some pizza with David Kinch at Pulino’s in New York and they talk about his recent collaboration with Wynton Marsalis, who composed music to go with his dishes. Kinch also says he sometimes thinks the local market was the last to embrace Manresa, check out the full interview here. [Eater National]

POP-UPS – Sir Seoul Patch, Eric Ehler, will be at Dear Mom this Sunday evening, serving up all kinds of comfort food, like a burger with kimchi bacon jam, and short rib dumplings. Take a look at the menu right here. [EaterWire]

WAFFLE WIRE – If you want fresh waffles this weekend, hit up the Ferry Building’s Wine Merchant from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. There will be made-to-order sweet potato and chocolate malted waffles from Christopher Bottorff with bubbly pairings to boot. [EaterWire]

Eater SF

In about an hour we are going to be wandering in to the kickoff party for S.F. Beer Week, which is going to involve a lot of hops quaffing and malty goodness. (Alas, if you don’t have tickets, it’s sold out, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.) Now, because we like to help you out, allow us to recommend a few choice events among the bevy of options open to you over the next nine days. Beginning with…

Saturday, February 11

Rare Beer & Food Pairings
Delarosa
11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. — menu available all week

Lagunitas Flights
Noc Noc, 557 Haight
7 p.m. til close

Double IPA Festival
The Bistro, Hayward
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.,

You like a nice and bitter Double IPA? Check this out, especially if you’re already in the East Bay, and go home with your own commemorative glass.

Sunday, February 12

Beerunch
Public House
11:30am-2:30pm,

A beer-pairing brunch with the highlight being a collaborative herbal ale aged with bacteria from MateVeza and Mill Valley Beerworks.

Sunday BBQ With Anderson Valley and Slow Hand BBQ
La Trappe, 800 Greenwich Street
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

You’re going to need to eat something hearty to get through all that beer, so why not some excellent ribs and brisket from the elusive Slow Hand BBQ pop-up. Wash it down with classic and newly released Anderson Valley brews.

Magnolia Brewery & Nombe Izakaya Beer Pairing
Nombe, 2491 Mission
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, – menu available all week

Tuesday, February 14

Waterloo Bevs, “Belgian Beer Specialist” & Chicks & Love Pizza Pairing
Blackbird, 2124 Market
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm,

Screw Valentine’s Day. Eat some pizza and drink some fine Belgian beer.

Wednesday, February 15

Local Mission Eatery & Almanac Beer Dinner
3111 24th Street
5:30 to 10 p.m.,

Chef Jake Des Voignes will be pairing Almanac’s seasonal ales with an all-local three course meal.

Friday, February 17

Drake’s Jack & Jolly Happy Hour
The Page, 298 Divisadero
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The Page and Drakes Brewing invite you to meet the brewer and tap into an exclusive barrel of Drake’s Jack & Jolly — their renowned Jolly Rodger strong ale aged in used Jack Daniels barrels.

Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19

The 19th Annual Barleywine Festival
Toronado
547 Haight Street
10:00 am – 2:00 am Saturday and Sunday

Don’t know what barleywine is? You should go to this. And try to get there early.

Read more posts by Jay Barmann

Filed Under: beer me, foodievents, sf beer week

Grub Street San Francisco

Alas, we showed you the menu at the new replacement for 2223, Jake’s on Market (2223 Market Street), and now we get a definitive update about the opening: It will be next Wednesday, February 15, at least via reservation. They will be doing a soft-opening on Tuesday, Valentine’s Day, for walk-ins only. [Grub Street]

Read more posts by Jay Barmann

Filed Under: openings, 2223, jake’s on market, menus

Grub Street San Francisco

FOR SALE - In case there was any confusion about the state of Cafe Gratitude in the Mission, here’s a picture of its central kitchen and office on 14th Street with a For Sale sign placed above it. According to the website, Healdsburg, San Rafael, and Harrison street cafes are on the market, while the Santa Cruz, Berkeley and Gracias Madre locations are safe for now. [EaterWire]

POP-UPS – Namu will be popping up at Four Barrel tomorrow night from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Dumplings, bibimbap and cake will be served along with booze. Add in Four Barrel’s taxidermy and you’ve got hipster nirvana. [SFoodie]

THE BRUNCH BUNCH - The good people of Cedar Hill bbq in the Marina have informed Eater that brunch will launch this weekend, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Here is the menu, which has deep fried French toast on it. [EaterWire]

CHEF SHUFFLES – Ristobar‘s new chef is coming at you straight from Italy. Michele Belotti is 25. He last cooked at Michelin-starred Da Guido in Piemonte, and you should try his agnolotti. [ISSF]

EATER BOOK CLUB – Manresa’s David Kinch is working on a cookbook to be published by Ten Speed Press in the Fall of 2013, and boy is he ever not alone. Cookbook season ’13 is shaping up to be the year of the San Francisco cookbook, with titles from Dominique Crenn, Traci Des Jardins, and Josh Skenes, also in the works. Who’s next? [NYT via Eater National]

· All Cafe Gratitude Coverage [~ ESF ~]

Eater SF