1) SPQR: With A16's Nate Appleman and Daniel Holzman at the helm, Plywood-vet SPQR got off the ground this weekend, and early reports are almost overwhelmingly positive. All the dishes received glowing marks, and the prices are slightly lower than at A16, making it one of the best values in town. The pitfalls so far? An abundance of noise, the no-reservations policy and a lack of space, all which sound just like Rome, if you ask us.
2) Lolo: While SPQR is abuzz, the space at 3234 22nd Street said hola to Lolo in a bit of an undercover opening. Reports—or rather, speculations—from Mission tipsters have run the gamut from traditional Turkish to pretentious haute cuisine (ahem, locally-sourced braised beef tongue?). Open nightly for dinner, closed on Tuesdays, no reservations.
