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The tower of pork.

Chef Chris Cosentino (Incanto) recently established a Los Angeles presence with the pork-centric portion of the new Umamicatessen, called PIGG. He’s introducing Angelenos to the wonder of crispy pig ears and brainaise, and the place also features a mechanized, Ferris-wheel-type contraption for displaying hams from three countries. [SFoodie, Earlier]

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Filed Under: other cities, chris cosentino, empire building, incanto

Grub Street San Francisco

Polk Gulch: We’ve been wondering since the new year what would replace ongtime punk/metal bar Kimo’s (Polk and Pine), and it now looks to be Playland Bar. Odds are on it being more upscale, and cocktail-y. More to come. [Tablehopper]
North Beach: Bask (Jackson and Columbus), the new Basque place in the former Clown Alley space, appears to be opening Saturday. [Eater]
Berkeley: Kip’s Bar & Grill in Berkeley (2439 Durant), which has been around since 1954, is adding a downstairs restaurant to be called Kip’s Eats with the help of a consulting chef who’s worked at Oliveto and Chez Panisse. [Scoop]
Point Reyes: Osteria Stellina has just hired a new chef de cuisine, Brian Bowen. [Scoop]

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Filed Under: neighborhood watch, bars, bask, openings, osteria stellina, playland, previews

Grub Street San Francisco

Ironside in SoMa. [Photo: Flickr/WCities]

LISTICLES – These OpenTable Diner’s Choice lists are always amusing, so why don’t we take a look at today’s 2012 Best Brunch Winners across the U.S., including seven from the Bay Area: Magic Flute, Garden Court, Ironside, Town’s End and Top of the Mark in San Francisco, and La Note and HS Lordships in Berkeley. Now don’t all rush to reserve at once. [EaterWire]

HAPPY HOUR – Southpaw BBQ (2170 Mission St.) has started up happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. on weeknights and from 3 to 7 p.m. on weekends. Specials include chicken fried smoked ribs, brisket sliders and pork tacos, Moscow mules and the newly released house draft summer session pale ale for . [EaterWire]

THE SHUTTER – The historic Olema Inn & Restaurant has been purchased by some mysterious new owners. It’s now closed for “a short period of time” as they ramp up the new deal. [ISSF]

BAR WIRE – Quince bartender Corey Harrison has added a mint julep, a single barrel “trifecta” of bourbon shots and a bunch of other Kentucky Derby-themed cocktails to the bar menu in honor of this weekend’s race. Drink them in the lounge daily from 5 to 10 p.m. or have them shaken tableside from the restaurant’s new vintage-inspired cocktail cart. [EaterWire]

Eater SF

Iann IvyBoxing Room’s dirty rice.​SFoodie’s countdown of our favorite 50 things to eat and drink, 2012 edition

​Boxing Room’s chef, Justin Simoneaux, brings a California sensibility to traditional
SFoodie

Gamine: Restaurant Info + Video | reviews | full episode video |

Other ways to watch episode online (and on video iPod):
Download episode (requires iTunes or QuickTime)
Subscribe to Video Podcast

View Larger Map

Location:
2223 Union Street (at Fillmore Street)
San Francisco, CA 94123

Parking: Street (difficult)

Phone: 415-771-7771
Email: info@gaminesf.com
Website: gaminesf.com

Restaurant Owners: Stephen Bouillez and Susannah Dempsey

Type of Cuisine: French Bistro
Signature Dishes: Escargot, burger, pork chop, banana and Nutella crêpes
Vegetarian Options: 3+ items
Alcohol Served: Beer and wine
Corkage Fee: per 750 mL
Bottle Limit: 2

Restaurant Hours:
Monday: 5:30pm-10:00pm (dinner)
Tuesday: 5:30pm-10:00pm (dinner)
Wednesday: 5:30pm-10:00pm (dinner)
Thursday: 5:30pm-10:30pm (dinner)
Friday: 11:30am-10:30pm (brunch, lunch, dinner)
Saturday: 11:30am-10:30pm (brunch, lunch, dinner)
Sunday: 11:30am-10:00pm (brunch, lunch, dinner)

Meals Served: Brunch, lunch, dinner
Take-Out: Yes
Delivery: No
Average Dinner Price Range (Per person, full meal, tax, 15% gratuity, w/o alcohol): -
Average Brunch/Lunch Price Range (Per person, full meal, tax, 15% gratuity, w/o alcohol): -
Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, American Express
Accept Reservations: Yes, only for groups of 6+
Do you accept reservations through OpenTable.com? No
Need Reservations: No
How far in advance should reservations be made? 1-2 days

Accommodations for Children: Kid-friendly
Dining Style: Casual
Disabled Access: Yes, ramped entrance, no bathroom access
Restaurant Size: Small (under 30 seats)
Accommodate Groups (10+): Yes
Private Dining Room: Yes, semi-private
Tables with Scenic Views: No
Outdoor Dining: Yes
Entertainment: No

Related posts:

1. Limón: Restaurant Info
2. Aperto: Restaurant Info
3. Scala’s Bistro: Restaurant Info

Check, Please! Bay Area

After name-dropping some “Napa Valley luminaries” he dined beside at Redd Wood, The Bauer Slice deems chef Richard Reddington‘s new St. Helena “upscale pizzeria” worthy of three stars. “Ironically,” he likes a lot of the food better than the pizzas, calling it “superb.” And it’s interesting that he thinks it’s “interesting how the right talent and a tight concept will turn a fledging space into a hot ticket.” [SFGate]

Eater SF

What: Brewtruc’s Charity Beer Garden

When: Saturday, April 28 from 1 to 7 p.m.

Where: 246 Ritch Street

Cost: gets you a glass of ten beers

The Rundown: This Saturday, Brewtruc is teaming up
SFoodie

Check, Please! Bay Area’s seventh season episode 1 (#701) profiles and reviews these three Bay Area restaurants:

1) Gamine: | restaurant information + video | reviews |

2) Bellanico Restaurant and Wine Bar: | restaurant information + video | reviews |

3) Davey Jones Deli: | restaurant information + video | reviews |

Other ways to watch the episode online (and on video iPod):
Download episode (requires iTunes or QuickTime)
Subscribe to Video Podcast

View photo gallery (flickr.com)
Contribute your food photos! (flickr.com)

My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I’m the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I will be sharing my tasting notes about the wine the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. I will also share some wine tips with each episode.

2008 Pepper Bridge “Pepper Bridge Vineyard” red blend, Walla Walla Valley, Washington
Intense, layered, powerful and yet still supple, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot from the iconic Pepper Bridge Vineyard in Washington’s eastern Walla Walla Valley is a wine to covet (especially since less than 500 cases were made).

2010 Amavi Cellars Semillon, Walla Walla Valley, Washington
The winemaker at Pepper Bridge, Jean-Francois Pellet, is one of Washington’s finest and his passion project is Amavi. This aromatic white made with Semillon grapes is a stunner. Juicy fruit notes are supported by vibrant acidity in a wine that pairs perfectly with fiery fare from burritos to curry dishes as well as a variety of cheeses.

2009 Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Washington
Walla Walla Valley in southern Washington along the border with Oregon is home to many of the state’s top wineries, including Amavi. With its combination of dark berry flavors and earthy, spicy aromas this classy red could go for twice the price. Silky tannins create a luxurious texture in a wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared for a few years.

Watch a fun video of Leslie Sbrocco interviewing Jean-Francois Pellet the winemaker from Walla Walla’s Amavi Cellars.

Related posts:

1. Wine Tips: Drink Pink!
2. Davey Jones Deli: Review
3. Davey Jones Deli: Restaurant Info

Check, Please! Bay Area

Lara HataThe wall of photos at the rebuilt Original Joe’s.John Duggan, who owns Original Joe’s with his sister Elena, are the grandchildren of the 75-year-old restaurant’s founder, Ante (Tony) Rodin.
SFoodie

Anthony John Denison as grumpy chef Sal Sartini.

Remember how there was some action at the cursed space that is 500 Jackson last year that caused a bit of an internet stir but turned out to be just a set for a film? Well, that film is called Trattoria, and it’s a comedy, and it just showed at the Sonoma International Film Festival. And watching the trailer we’re thinking maybe the curse extends to fake restaurants too!

It’s still unclear if it will be getting a wide release, but what is clear is that someone (perhaps screenwriters Dawn Rich and Jason Wolos) who worked in the restaurant industry believed that a story about opening a restaurant — with all its stressing over critics, kvelling over tips, and wars between the front and back of house — would make for riveting cinema.

And didn’t they cover the risotto thing in Big Night? Anyway, we’ll try to keep an opening mind since we do enjoy seeing San Francisco on screen. Also, apparently, Elizabeth Falkner and Traci Des Jardins make cameos as themselves.

Watch the trailer for Trattoria, a restaurant movie set in San Francisco
Earlier: Fake Restaurant Takes Over Zinnia Space

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Filed Under: video feed, back of house, videos

Grub Street San Francisco