Pied Piper Saved; Carmona Headed to Peninsula

The famed Pied Piper painting. [Photo: abstemiast/Tumblr]

FINANCIAL DISTRICT—The historic Pied Piper of Hamelin painting by Maxfield Parrish, for which the bar in the Palace Hotel is named, disappeared over the weekend, with property owners Kyo-ya Hotels and Resorts planning to send it to a Christie's auction where it would sell for $3-5 million. But after an Internet outcry, the company backed off on its plans, saying the painting will now return to the hotel after a museum-quality restoration in New York. It may not go back in the bar, though, as the company is concerned about protecting it from liquid damage. [Chron]

MYSTERIOUS PENINSULA LOCALE—Grub Street had their ears to the ground at this weekend's Pigs & Pinot event (to which we were not invited we were at home washing our hair), and learned that former Manresa chef de cuisine and Chron rising star Jean Paul Carmona is plotting a casual restaurant somewhere along the Peninsula, location and cuisine unknown. We hope to learn more about this mystery as it unfolds. [Grub Street]

THE MISSION—If you're one of the many mourners of the long-shuttered underground dining experience that was Mission Gastroclub, you might want to consider checking out brewer Eric Denman's upcoming series of homebrewing classes at 18 Reasons. In addition to teaching the art of crafting and bottling brews, he'll also be discussing food and beer pairing, and his former partner, Ad Hoc alum Neil Davidson, will be providing the cuisine. Tickets are $160 and include all three sessions. [EaterWire]

THE MISSION—West of Pecos is mixing things up by introducing a special "West of Pizza" night each Tuesday, at which they'll be serving a cornmeal-crust personal pizza and a bottle of Lone Star for just $9. This week's pizza flavors are in line with the restaurant's Southwestern influences: sausage-mascarpone-honey and corn, pea, beet, and mozzarella. They're clearing out the private dining room and creating communal tables for the occasion, so head in for your dose of pizza and brew tomorrow night. [EaterWire]