Anthony Strong Takes Locanda Research Trip; A16 Offers Tokyo-Inspired Menu Items; Still More Lady GaGa!!

MISSION - Additional details are filtering in on Craig Stoll's Locanda now gunning for a January 2011 opening in the vacant Ramblas location on Valencia Street. According to Zagat, the spirits program will be created by Jardiniere's Brian MacGregor and Anthony Strong will be running the kitchen. This (enthusiastic?) tweet, tells us he's headed to Rome for two months for research. Believe it. [Zagat, Twitter]

MARINA/TOKYO - To celebrate the one-year anniversary of A16's Tokyo location, the Chestnut Street original will be offering menu items inspired by their Japanese sister. Albacore crudo with shiso and pickled plums, tonnarelli with squid, cherry tomatoes and basil; chicken, lamb, and pork meatball yakitori (spiedini); and melon granita with ginger cream will all be offered over the long weekend. This is leading up to that little break we mentioned a bit ago. [EaterWire]

LADY GAGA - Remember when Lady Gaga went to Rosamunde's and everyone freaked out? Now Mission Mission has photo documentation of her order: white wine. You see Gaga was really after Mexican food; so she moved on to a burrito at El Farolito, followed by 7 p.m. reservations at Waterbar. Begin freak out. [Mission Mission]

FRIED PIE! - Tasting Table has penned this saliva-inducing description of the half-moon pies at newbie San Rafael shop, The Pie Palace. There are savory and sweet versions; but what you really need to know is...all of them are deep fried. [TT]

WINE COUNTRY - Petaluma wine shop Vine & Barrel will start serving tapas tomorrow from 11:30 a.m. onwards. Owner Jason Jenkins worked for months with a Spanish cheese importer and Spring Hill Farms to source prosciuttos, cheeses, cured chorizos, and "other amazing charcuterie." He's also continuing with the daily happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at which wines are $2 off regular price. Here's the Web site, should you want more information. [EaterWire]

EAT REAL- The Oakland food and libation celebration is reporting that 100,000 folks showed up over the course of three days. The urban homesteading competition was a huge success, so much so that next year, the county fair will grow with new categories for bitters, moonshine, home-made cheeses, cured meats, and kimchee. Now this is cool: they've also launched an Eat Real iPhone App, a GPS guide to farmers markets, CSAs, u-picks, and other sustainable food vendors near you. [EaterWire]

Locanda chef Anthony Strong. [Photo: FreshChef]