SoMa: As mentioned earlier, the revamped version of the 102-year-old Fly Trap will make its return tomorrow night, on the nice round (and lucky) number of 8/8/08. The new awning is a brighter shade of red, and showcases the new name: Zare at Fly Trap. As a special preview, we've gotten our hands on the opening menu, and already in the incipient form, the new influences are very, very evident. Apps range from $8 to $13, entrees $14 to $24. From Zare's Mediterranean/Persian slant and the "menage a foie" to Marisa Churchill's dessert menu with items like goat cheese cheesecake with lavender syrup, the Fly Trap is much changed from the days of veal piccata and coq au vin. The menu follows:
Originally slated for a May 1st debut, the entire Cavallo Point development—including its restaurant Murray Circle and neighboring bar Farley, named after late cartoonist Phil Frank—has been pushed back a month to June 1st. The entire complex, literally a hop across the Golden Gate Bridge, is still under construction and closed to the public. However, Joseph Humphrey, last seen accepting two Michelin stars at Meadowood, has revealed his menu, and looking at the sample online, it's a locavore dandy. In addition to a la carte dishes (listed first by main ingredient and its source, then by preparation), there are two tasting menus: a five-course chef's menu ($95) and a veggie version ($75). The entire dinner menu, as it currently stands, follows:
As mentioned earlier, Poesia opened over the weekend, and now thanks to a tipster, curious folks will be glad to know that we've gotten our hands on the opening menu. In the kitchen is Gregory Leon, ere of Kelly's Mission Rock, and the menu will change on a weekly basis. For those who have already been to the osteria/poetry lounge/bar, do let us know how it went, and if you recited any particularly memorable verses. The menu follows:
A long time coming, menu labeling for San Francisco chain restaurants, also known as Supervisor Tom Ammiano's pet project, was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors yesterday. The ruling is anticipated to affect over 200 local restaurants, ranging from the likes of McDonald's and Starbucks to Pomodoro and Chevy's. However, the big news is that Ammiano and Co. notched the approval of the protesty Golden Gate Restaurant Association, by increasing the chain designation from 15 to 20:
The Golden Gate Restaurant Association, a group representing San Francisco restaurants, initially opposed the bill, but withdrew its opposition after Ammiano agreed to changes ...
"There are some small local companies that will have a little more time to grow prior to being impacted by the ordinance," said Kevin Westlye, executive director of the restaurant association.
NOE VALLEY—Lest you think that Chris Cosentino would only offer his Head to Tail dinner to New York this year, we have word that for the first time ever, Incanto will offer the special dinner for not one, but two nights this year. It's still a ways off, but as of now, the dates are Monday, June 9th and Wednesday, June 11th. [EaterWire]
SAN FRANCISCO—The city is getting closer to approving an ordinance that would require chain restaurants to post nutritional information in their menus, as the measure passed the Board of Supes earlier today. Naturally, the various restaurant associations are not pleased: "While gaining support from health advocates, the legislation is meeting resistance from the restaurant industry, which views the requirements as burdensome and possibly illegal. [the CRA's Lara Diaz] Dunbar said the association is likely to challenge the San Francisco measure in court if it becomes law." [Chron]
TELEVISION—It's nice that Emeril's new show is embracing the whole green movement, but you'd think they could find a better place to shoot the show (you know, like at real farmers markets): "...we can now look forward to Emeril Green, a daily show on Planet Green, the new eco-lifestyle network from Discovery. The new network is launching this Summer and Emeril Green begins in July. The series will highlight Emeril's love of fresh, top quality foods and will be shot entirely on location at Whole Foods locations across the country." [YumSugar]
As mentioned yesterday, mad genius Philippe Gardelle's revamped version of Clementine opened over the weekend. Though the name persists and there have yet to be any massive overhauls on the space (aside from a new bar, bathrooms and plenty of behind-the-scenes maintenance), make no mistake: for better or worse, this is a second, bigger location of Chapeau, not a reimagining of Didier Labbe's Clementine. The complete menu is after the jump, and in this nascent stage, it clearly bears a strong resemblance to Chapeau's menu. Labbe, meanwhile, is sipping on caipirinhas down in his new residence of Rio.
Earlier today, owner Erin Rooney declared Serpentine open for business and now we've got our hands on a copy of the opening lunch and dinner menus. So while the official site stays under construction, if you're curious as to what Slow Club's chef Chris Kronner has up his sleeve for an encore performance, do take the hop.
As mentioned yesterday, opening tonight is plywood vet Bar Jules. Avid readers and diners—not to mention people with eyeballs—will be happy to know that the interior color scheme has been toned down a bit from the initial aesthetic shock we found there some weeks ago. Also, the liquor license has yet to go through, so BJ is BYOB at this point, FYI. Jessica Boncutter is running things at 609 Hayes, and with her pedigree (Zuni, Hog Island, River Cafe), the menu—scrawled on a chalkboard; pic after the jump—will change daily. Be warned though: this might be the most limited menu in the entire city. Witness:
CHINATOWN—Earlier this fall, the passing of the pastry maker, combined with the subsequent "temporary" shuttering of Golden Gate Bakery—home to the best mooncakes on this side of the Pacific—prompted a bit of mass hysteria on the Chowhound boards. Now comes word that the closure has been extended to November 17th. But don't worry, ye 'hounds. It may look dire, but according to the Golden Gate Bakery people, the only reason for the extended closure is that some staff went on vacation to China after the very busy Autumn Moon Festival season and then stayed longer than the anticipated two weeks. No ownerships changes either. Breathe out. [EaterWire, CH]
THE CASTRO—The first fortnight of business under their belts, Chef Randy Lewis and company at the newly-reopened Mecca have finalized their dinner menu. More or less, it's a big overhaul from the last version, with a decidedly Mediterranean tilt replacing the prior modern American one. Highlights include jamon serrano wood-grilled pizza, market fresh pasta and the entire dessert menu. Sadly, foam is not on this incarnation, but we can always hope. Also not on the online menu: prices. Tsk, tsk. Anyone have recent reports on the new Mecca? [Mecca Website]
Despite rumors that the Hotel Kabuki's O Izakaya Lounge was only open to hotel guests this past weekend, we managed to wander in without any trouble, and well, it was very open (more on our experience later today). Flat-screens boasted the day's sporting events while a dozen or so patrons were scattered between the bar and numerous surrounding booths. As for the menu—the complete version is after the jump—the pros are that it's mostly traditional, the yakimono rock and there's a fair amount of Berkshire pork belly across the board (always a good thing by our standards). The bad: it's not as wide-ranging as we expected an izakaya menu to be, and a cheeseburger with bacon and mushrooms costs ... $20?
FILLMORE—The as-yet bare bones website for Fillmore jazz-lounge behemoth 1300 (pictured) has been updated to include Chef David Lawrence's menu. Some individual items had been leaked in the PR blast earlier, but it's always nice to see the full version, complete with prices (nothing is more annoying than an online menu sans prices, right?). Apps are in the $8-$12 range and the entrees are $17-$29. [EaterWire, Official Site]
THE MISSION—Well, look who's back after a brief hiatus. From a tipster: "Senses (1152 Valencia St) has re-opened. In its initial version it tried to hard to pull of some cross-cultural dishes and failed. It closed for several months and then re-opened. It is now more of a Mediterranean style small plates restaurant. It is not breaking any new ground but the food is pretty good. The wine list is pathetic but maybe they will be working on it." [EaterWire Inbox]
The October issue of Radar sees Anthony Bourdain calling out restaurants for (over)serving menu items that are trendy in theory but tired in reality. In addition to foam and branded meats like Berkshire pork and Amish chicken, Bourdain also decries flavored salts, a known commodity of the Ritz's Ron Siegel:
"Be sure to sample our selection of flavored salts, and please await the water sommelier": A chef who offers anything other than sea salt probably refers to himself in the third person. When the water sommelier comes over, I reach for my gun.
Here in San Francisco, while we abhor being compared to the "be seen" dining scene of our SoCal counterparts, surely there exists no shortage of pretentious dishes. Love 'em or hate 'em, there's no denying the inherent humor in some menu items from our dear, dear city. Take, for example, the "flash-fried Antep pistachio encrusted salmon with wasabi cream sauce and unagi sauce drizzle" at the newly-opened Lolo and in the veteran category, Asia de Cuba's "grilled chipotle glazed strip steak with gingered chickpea fries and calabaza melon slaw."
· Anthony Bourdain's Overrated Menu [Radar]
Have food items that you're tired of seeing on menus? See a ridiculous description somewhere? A foam spotting? You know what to do.
Comments
A long time coming, menu labeling for San Francisco chain restaurants, also known as Supervisor Tom Ammiano's pet project, was unanimously 
NOE VALLEY—Lest you think that Chris Cosentino would only offer his Head to Tail dinner to 
CHINATOWN—Earlier this fall, the passing of the pastry maker, combined with the subsequent "temporary" shuttering of Golden Gate Bakery—home to the best mooncakes on this side of the Pacific—prompted a bit of mass hysteria on the Chowhound boards. Now 
FILLMORE—The as-yet bare bones website for Fillmore jazz-lounge behemoth 1300 (pictured) has been updated to include Chef David Lawrence's 
The October issue of 
