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.
All openings around town are served up on a regular basis via The Dish. Notice a new debut in your neighborhood recently? The tip line awaits your sightings.
1) NoPa: The dessert lounge era is upon us, and leading the charge is Candybar. Debut night was technically over the weekend, but going forward today, the place will be open per normal. By this point, the theme of Candybar is well-known: it's a wine bar with a focus on sweets, though savory food is also served. Local artwork graces the space, which by all accounts has been packed in its various iterations of opening nights. Reservations accepted. 1335 Fulton Street, between Broderick and Divisadero, (415) 673-7078; website [Eater Staff]
2) Hayes Valley: Opening right on schedule tonight is Domo, the tiny sushi joint by Isa's Luke and Kitty Sung and high school bud Kuo Wha that we've tracked since its early stages. As noted elsewhere, tables didn't make the final design cut, so the only seating is about 15 seats at the counter that wraps around the sushi bar and windows along Laguna, but to-go orders (and sushi boxes) will be very much available. 511 Laguna Street, at Linden, (415) 861-8887; website [Eater Staff]
The brown paper is officially off (!) at Luke and Kitty Sung's Domo, and several Hayes Valleyians have already sent along the photographic evidence from Laguna Street to prove it. As noted by Lady Hopstress in her newsletter this week, the Sungs, of Isa fame, are currently looking at officially opening next Tuesday, the 25th, just like our friends at Chez Papa. While you accept that Hayes Valley—hell, that particular two-block radius—looks like it very well might continue its restaurant hot streak (Bar Jules in full swing; Frjtz up next, around the corner), do check out the Domo photo gallery above; domo arigato.
· Plywood Report Update: Hayes Valley's Domo [~ESF~]
· More on Domo: "You Will See a Lot of Wood" [~ESF~]
· Mystery Plywood: Spotted in Hayes Valley [~ESF~]
Here we have our first look behind the scenes at Domo, the traditional sushi joint by Luke and Kitty Sung of Isa. Arrival date is still set for mid to late March, and from the looks of things at Laguna and Linden, we'd say the place is going to be exactly how they described it back in the fall: small space heavy in bar seating, a sushi counter, ~20 seats, room for a just few tables and a good amount of wood.
· More on Domo: "You Will See a Lot of Wood" [~ESF~]
· Mystery Plywood: Spotted in Hayes Valley [~ESF~]
Welcome back to the Plywood Report, your regular, all-encompassing look at the city's next generation of restaurants and bars. See some plywood in your 'hood? Drop us a line, would you? Extra credit and a gold star if you include pretty photos.
1) Hayes Valley: According to a Hayes Valley tipster, things have been busy at Domo, the upcoming sushi joint from Luke and Kitty Sung on Laguna and Linden (pictured). It's still unclear if they are going to keep the bright blue bath tiling adorning the facade, but as you can tell from the photo, they've been doing plenty of upheaval. As mentioned earlier, the traditional place will be small (20-25 seats) and full of wood, lending a casual vibe. [PLYWOOD]
2) Bonus Hayes Valley: Just up the street, the training wheels are nearly off at Bar Jules at 609 Hayes. Friends and family night has come and passed, five-star reviews have been purchased on Yelp, orchids are scattered about, and a preliminary menu is written on the chalkboard. And yes, for the most part, the paint job made it too. [PLYWOOD]
Nearly a month ago, Hayes Valley pedestrians wondered about Domo, the mysterious "Isabelle & Christopher Inc" project taking over the space at 511 Laguna Street on the corner of Linden. Not long thereafter, it was revealed to be a Japanese restaurant from Luke and Kitty Sung of Isa. According to the Sungs, Domo will be a traditional sushi establishment with about 20 seats. The design is still a work in progress but in going for a casual vibe, they do know that "you will see a lot of wood." Unlike at Isa, the Sungs will be more involved in the operational side of things, letting Ku Wa of Millbrae's Osho run chef duties. As for the decision to branch into the ever-developing Hayes Valley, Kitty Sung says it was an easy choice, given the "vibrant" neighborhood. Hear that, Hayes Valley? You're vibrant.
· Isa [Official Site]
· Mystery Plywood: Spotted in Hayes Valley [~ESF~]
· Plywood Update: And Thus Concludes A Pair of Mysteries [~ESF~]
We've got much more plywood later today, but for now, satiate your curiosity with a pair of updates from past reports.
1) Hayes Valley: Last week, a reader sent in a picture of an unknown restaurant in the works on Laguna Street. The only clues were the establishment's name ("Domo") and the (seemingly) anonymous owners, Christopher and Isabelle, Inc. Soon thereafter, another reader chimed in with the answer: "Isabelle and Christopher, Inc.? Oh, yay! Isabelle and Christopher, Inc. are Luke and Kitty Sung of Isa (on Steiner)." So there you have it: readers helping readers. 511 Laguna Street, at Linden [Eater Comments]
2) SoMa: More details are trickling in about the upcoming Local Kitchen and Wine Merchant from Ola Fendert (Oola, Chez Papa). A long, 30' communal table will be involved (required for any new eatery these days), as will a host of organic wines and local, sustainable produce (also required). Truffle-parmesan fries are an eye-catcher on the menu. And yes, we have confirmation of the wood-burning oven. The anticipated opening date is somewhere around the third week of October. 330 First Street, between Folsom and Harrison [Eater Inbox]
Comments
1) NoPa: The dessert lounge era is upon us, and leading the charge is Candybar. Debut night was technically over the weekend, but going forward today, the place will be open per normal. By this point, the theme of Candybar is well-known: it's a wine bar with a focus on sweets, though savory food is also served. Local artwork graces the space, which by all accounts has been packed in its various iterations of opening nights. Reservations accepted. 1335 Fulton Street, between Broderick and Divisadero, (415) 673-7078; 
