The Hidden Vine Brings A Bocce Court to the FiDi

You may remember The Hidden Vine, that unassuming subterranean wine bar on Cosmo Place that was recently replaced by another wine bar called The Barrel Room. As it turns out The Hidden Vine shall live again. The owners felt it was time to update, so they moved to a much larger space in the Financial District, near Cafe Prague. New GM Danielle Kuzinich and former Bar Bambino beverage manager Becky Pezzullo are heading things up. The most notable comparisons to the original—besides the larger, sidewalk-level space—will be a more fleshed out food menu, and a bocce court.

So yes, a bocce court in the FiDi for the very first time. Finally San Francisco is getting on top of it after being beaten to the punch by Sausalito. Pezzullo says the court will be built-out in an outdoor space between The Hidden Vine and the neighboring building. There will be room for about 20 people to stand, along with some high tables, and a window allowing people to order directly from the bar without coming inside.

The interior will have room for about 70 people in a space they're describing as "wine country living room," with cozy, yet elegant couches, a fireplace, a reclaimed wood table, tapestries and antique wine books scattered about. A zinc bar with room for 8 to 10 people will create another focal point.

They're now putting the finishing touches on a collection of over 140 wine bottles with a heavy emphasis on California and Italy. Forty of these wines will be available by the glass. Looking at the early menu rendition, there's venison pate, duck rillettes, oysters on the half shell, three flatbreads, a peach and tomato salad, and a slider trio on mini Acme rolls, paired with a flight of wine. Of course, there's a lot of cheese and charcuterie too. As of now, the target opening is October 12th.

· Hidden Vine Actually Moving Down Town [GrubStreet]
· All The Hidden Vine Coverage [~ ESF ~]