The pretty gal you see here is none other than the very visually-stimulating Gitane. Owner Franck LeClerc and Mister Important's Charles Doell pulled out all the stops for the flashy look of the two-story Claude Lane space. Design details—big and small—are everywhere, from the tapestries overlooking the first-floor bar to the reflective ceilings in the dining area above. LeClerc also closed off the Kearny entrance to isolate Gitane from the uber-urban thoroughfare; a smart move, we think. There aren't many restaurant interiors in San Francisco that could be dubbed sexy, but Gitane is probably one. As fun as the space is, in this town, it often comes down to the food, so it's up to chef (and certified pizzaiolo) Lisa Eyherabide and her Cal-Med menu to sustain the buzz. And there's been lots of buzz so far: in the first fortnight of business, periodic resyfeed check-ins are already in the 5:30 or 9:30 category. Further Gitane reading in the Archives.
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