Union Street Strip May Get More Restaurants
The Board of Supervisors is currently considering a proposal that would eliminate a decades-old ruling that prohibits Cow Hollow storefronts from being converted into new restaurants. If it is passed, five new restaurants would be allowed on the Union Street strip that stretches from Van Ness to Steiner. Local merchants want more eateries because food/foot traffic boosts sales, but neighbors—and, interestingly enough, the GGRA—are staunchly opposed:
"On Friday and Saturday nights, parking is impossible, and additional restaurants ain't going to make it any better," neighbor Jack Branning told commissioners. "We don't need more restaurants — we just need better restaurants."
Some residents were worried that a flood of new liquor-licensed restaurants could turn their neighborhood into more of a party zone, according to Alioto-Pier.
The original proposal had the allowed number of new restaurant set at 10 to "reinvigorate the corridor's economy," but that number was negotiated down to five. On those blocks, the restaurant buzz is pretty much isolated to Palmetto, Umami and Betelnut, with the Bacchus Group's
new brasserie also en route on that block, so Union has definitely fallen behind Chestnut Street as the area's premier restaurant strip. But does the answer lie with
more restaurants?
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New eateries may pop up on Union Street [SFE]
Your thoughts on Union Street in the comments field. Does it need more restaurants?
EaterWire: Whole Foods Updates, Creole in the Sunset (Possibly) and MORE!
All the day's news, gossip and general happiness goes in EaterWire. Have a bit of juice you need to share? The tip line awaits.
[Photo: Eater LA]
THE HAIGHT—Unfortunately for greenery-lovers everywhere—we hear there may be some in the Haight—the forthcoming pair of Whole Foods locations are still a ways off. To be specific, well over a year away. From Curbed SF: "Both of those stores [Haight Street and Noe Valley] won't be opening until 2009. I mean, especially in the Haight— they purchased that whole area and have to completely gut it and renovate." [Curbed SF]
THE SUNSET—Irving Street might—might—be welcoming a Cajun/Creole seafood restaurant in a couple months. San Jose's Boiling Crawfish is trying to expand its operations to a second branch at 2333 Irving, right next door to Ha's Restaurant. However, the Boiling Crawfish people won't make the move to the city unless the liquor license application gets approved. [EaterWire]
Betelnut Reservations Just Became Easier, Next >>
Eater Headhunter: Standardly-Groomed Servers Need Not Apply to Betelnut
Interesting restaurant/bar job openings are highlighted by Eater Headhunter. If you happen to stumble upon something noteworthy, do share.
An industry tipster brings word that Betelnut, long one of the most popular dining destinations in the city, is now looking for servers. But not just any servers:
Experienced Server, Betelnut (marina / cow hollow)
Reply to: see below
Date: 2007-11-07, 1:13PM PST
Betelnut, located on Union Street in San Francisco, is seeking an experienced Server with at least two years fine dining experience. Must be available for flexible schedule including weekends. This is an extremely busy location requiring high-energy Servers with a passion for food, wine and the hospitality industry. Impeccable grooming is required.
What we wouldn't give to discover what "impeccable grooming" entails and how the Betelnut people go about determining it. Will fingernails be checked? Split ends inspected? Why not just say pretty people only?
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Experienced Server, Betelnut (marina / cow hollow) [CL]
The Dish Peninsula Edition: Former Betelnut Chef Debuts
With nearly a dozen restaurants in the "any day now" phase, The Dish, your source for recent restaurant openings, will be getting plenty of action over the next couple weeks. Before we set sights on the city restaurants, some noteworthy newcomers have arrived down in the 650. If you have a morsel for The Dish, please do let us know.
1) Red Lantern: This past weekend saw the debut of Red Lantern, the Southeast Asian home-style restaurant from Daniel Sudar, former chef du cuisine at San Francisco gem Betelnut. The 3700-square-foot space follows all sorts of feng shui principles, and we're nearly certain that it's the only place on the seaboard that boasts "a 20-seat communal table made from petrified wood found in a river bed in the Philippines." 808 Winslow Street, at Broadway, Redwood City; (650) 369-5483 [Eater Inbox]
2) Little Sheep: The glory of the Chinese hot pot chain has reached the friendly confines of San Mateo. From Chowhound: "Little Sheep opened last night on Ellsworth in San Mateo. I went by today but had just had sushi at Hotaru (which was great - best sushi quality/$ ratio in town) - so didn't try it. We did talk with the owner or manager - very friendly, she explained that it took them 10 months to open due to the conversion with PG&E (physical and bureaucratic both apparently) for the gas burners to fire the hotpots. But, they are finally open." 215 S. Ellsworth Avenue, at 2nd Avenue, San Mateo [Chowhound]
[Red Lantern Photo: Chris Schmauch]
