EaterWire: SoMa Grand False Alarms, Uncorked Nears

SOMA—While the SoMa Grand awaits the incoming Charles Phan project in its bigger restaurant space, the second space—most recently abandoned by Estela's Sandwiches before work began—has seen some action lately. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a false alarm, as the space is being transformed into the new sales center. No word on why the restaurant concept was abandoned (or if it has been ditched for good), but based on the Mission/Seventh Street location (and various other factors), we could toss out a few guesses. [EaterWire]

GHIRARDELLI SQUARE—We mentioned it last month, but this Saturday is the third annual Uncorked Wine Festival, which should be a nice drinking precursor to the Bay to Breakers. Marche on the Square, though not yet open, will be on hand with food. Tickets are $40 beforehand and $45 at the door; more info here. [EaterWire]

FINANCIAL DISTRICT—With the weather warming up, Slow Food Taste Life reminds us all of one of the best happy hour deals in town: "Palio has a great happy hour on weekdays from 4 until 7pm. If you buy 2 or more alcoholic beverages, you can enjoy unlimited and quite tasty free pizza." [SFTL]

SAN FRANCISCO—It's not restaurant-related per se, but it's for a good cause, and we figure there are plenty of folks with a few old cookbooks (maybe even a culinary history of the world or two): "The Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans is asking the Bay Area community of home cooks and culinary professionals to help rebuild its cookbook collection, most of which was lost during Hurricane Katrina. The museum is seeking books ranging from American Southern cooking to culinary histories of the world. Books donated to the museum will be accepted in any condition." [Chron]