Welcome back to the Plywood Report, your regular, all-encompassing chronicle of the next generation of restaurants and bars to grace our fair city. Spot something new on your block? Operators are standing by. Bonus points if you include photos.
1) Nopa: Over on Divisadero, things have been pretty quiet at the second location of Bar Crudo for the some time, but we finally have some signs of life in the delayed project. A liquor license is up, red tape is being conquered, and early fall is the latest. [PLYWOOD]
2) The Fillmore: Details are still scarce regarding Bruno's and its world-famous chef, but the someone from the restaurant (right across from Yoshi's) himself emailed the tipline this week to say "we should be open in early october is going to be nice place we are very excite thank you." [PLYWOOD]
Have a tidbit for EaterWire? Do pass along your juice, news, gossip and sightings.
THE MARINA—Tonight Laiola will light a candle for its first birthday. To commemorate the occasion, not only are they are kicking off corkage free Mondays going forward, but from 5pm to 7pm tonight, they will pouring complimentary cava and passing around "nibbles." Stop on by and have a PBR cocktail or three. [EaterWire]
THE RICHMOND—The Richmond District Blog brings news of a few low-profile openings on the far side of town, including Cabana Cafe, First Cake and Royal Market & Bakery: "I will say this: [Royal is] the largest, most spacious of the stores along Geary that specialize in these types of goods. There's a fresh produce aisle, and a young couple seemed ecstatic that they had a certain brand of packaged sausage they (apparently) love." [Richmond Blog]
Lombard Motel Row: Last week, we learned that the shutteredMercury Appetizer Bar found a more spacious home in SoMa, and today we have word that someone has already snatched up the old Merc space on Lombard. Amigo Cantina will be the new occupant, according to the pending licenses. We still think the no man's land location off the corner of Van Ness is a tough one—hell, it's not even in a neighborhood—but the space itself carries some intrigue. To be sure, it's tiny, but the exposed brick adds a nice touch and small restaurants always turn heads (uh, not counting Mercury). Of course, another, more realistic possibility is that it will simply be a bar along the lines of Black Magic next door.
· Plywood Special: Mercury Takes Sneaky Tiki Space [~ESF~]
· The Shutter: Mercury Appetizer Bar Finally Folds [~ESF~]
THE MARINA—The Scoop has a few more details on that new restaurant in the Bistro Yoffi space from Sam Josi, Nate Valentina and Company: "Inspired by the public houses of England, Valentine says they'll turn the restaurant into an American gastropub, with a casual menu served in a setting of button-tufted brown leather banquettes, rustic wood floors and antique lamps. The enticing backyard space will also get a face-lift, becoming a focal point for the restaurant." [Chron, previously]
NAPA—A massive deal has down in the wine world, where Bordeaux's Cos d'Estournel has bought Napa's Chateau Montelena. From Vinography: "While not the first bit of investment from Bordeaux in the Napa Valley, it is certainly a significant one, given both the landmark historical status of Chateau Montelena as well as the prestige and success of Cos d'Estournel, whose star has certainly been rising in Bordeaux over the past decade. Exact details of the transaction aren't available, but speculation of amounts nearing $110 million dollars have been thrown about on various web sites" [Vinography]
THE MARINA—Details are still trickling in on this one, but it looks like another growing restaurant group is on its way to establishing a neighborhood mini-empire of sorts: Nate Valentine and Vintage 415 are teaming up once again with Sam Josi and Stryker Scales (Umami, Mamacita, etc.) for a new project in the Bistro Yoffi space at 2231 Chestnut Street. The two parties previously teamed up (rather successfully) down the block in Mamacita, and we're thinking a change would be good for the (rather attractive) space, which has housed a steadily-declining Bistro Yoffi for the last six-plus years. More details are surely en route... [EaterWire]
Even though The Bauer can't quite figure out the vibe at Bin 38, he definitely likes what he sees from chef Glenn Christiansen: "I went to Bin 38 four times to try to figure out its multiple personalities. While it's fun, the operation can be as professional as a full-service restaurant one minute and as bubbleheaded as a trendy nightclub the next. What really sets Bin 38 apart from the dozen or so other wine bars that have opened recently is that the short menu is ambitious and interesting." Conclusion: Bin 38—"nearly perfect for its location"—gets a nice 2.5 stars. [Chron]
And so we continue with our quest to name the worst table in the city. The votes go neighborhood by neighborhood, so be sure to continue to send in your nominations. Vote early, vote often, vote wisely.
This week's poll: Restaurants in the Marina and Cow Hollow.
Which Marina restaurant is on the market? The clues with which to work: option for 1000 extra square feet, Chestnut Street location, can be run with nine employees, same owner for eight years, open for dinner only, beer/wine license, 49 seats. Go! [Craigslist]
1) North Beach: Our long national froyo nightmare is over: following an actual year of battling red tape and various vehement neighborhood groups, Swirl Culture (née Honeydoo) finally opened yesterday at 11am. As is the growingtradition amongst new frozen yogurt shops, they handed out free gifts—this time, t-shirts—to opening day customers. 1400 Grant Avenue, at Green; (415) 397-9475; website [EaterWire]
2) The Marina: A bit later than planned, neighborhood staple The Grove reopened over the weekend. The "new" space is bigger, having taken over the retail space next door, and as a commenter pointed out during last week's post-plywood report, it bears a much stronger resemblance to the Fillmore Street location. And the WiFi remains, for those interested in such matters. 2250 Chestnut Street, at Avila; (415) 474-4843 [EaterWire]
Today's edition of Week in Reviews is, frankly, a doozy. We've got Bauer visiting a turbulent PlumpJack Cafe for the third time in 16 months, Josh Sens at the new Fifth Floor, and a host of newbies, including Domo and Beretta. If that weren't enough, we've even crowned an official "phrase of the day" from one of the reviews. Buckle up for the ride.
Still, after two Update visits I left somewhat confused; the first dinner was excellent, but the second was marred by several problems. What you still get is very good service from a staff that has been there practically from the beginning, a well-priced wine list, and the handsome, whimsical Leavitt-Weaver decor that features custom metalwork, posh surfaces and wine racks ... On a return visit a few weeks later, the menu had changed slightly and it felt as if the chef had taken the day off. There were unusually long waits between courses and problems in execution.
The Marina: Above is the first peek inside the new and improved Grove Cafe on Chestnut Street. Now shuttered for nearly a month, the popular Marina hangout has been busy converting the retail space next door in order to nearly double its seating capacity and move closer to a restaurant proper. As highlighted by the lovely red arrow (for your viewing convenience), the addendum even includes a new focal point: a sizable stone wall (faux fireplace?). Inspections are today, meaning that if all goes well, The Grove could be back in action as soon as tomorrow or Thursday.
· Cheery Shutter Signage: The Grove Expands, Happily [~ESF~]
· Marina Report: The Grove Expanding? [~ESF~]
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THE MARINA—Tonight Laiola will light a candle for its first birthday. To commemorate the occasion, not only are they are kicking off corkage free Mondays going forward, but from 5pm to 7pm tonight, they will pouring complimentary cava and passing around "nibbles." Stop on by and have a 
THE MARINA—The 
