La Ciccia Plots Noe Valley Enoteca, La Nebbia

Beloved Noe Valley Sardinian spot La Ciccia is in expansion mode: they've decide to open a new enoteca, La Nebbia, just a block down Church Street. Chef-owner Massimiliano Conti, who runs La Ciccia with wife Lorella Degan, tells Inside Scoop that the new spot will offer more casual fare than the upscale original. (It's a trend we've been seeing a lot these days in Italian food, with Quince spinning off Cotogna and Acquerello's downscale cousin 1760 planned for next month.)

The focus at La Nebbia will be wine and snacks, with 70-80 bottles available, primarily from Italy but also from France and the U.S. They'll offer 10 or so cured hams from around the globe, allowing diners to taste-test proscuitto di Parma against La Quercia and jamon iberico, and a fresh cheese bar featuring mozzarella, burrata, and ricotta from local and Italian producers. A double-decker pizza oven will put out pies, while Conti, who's a big lasagna enthusiast, hopes to offer 4-5 different types. Roasted vegetables and a daily meat special will round out the menu.

The La Nebbia space is a former consignment store, which means a dreaded change-of-use permit and plenty of construction ahead. The team is targeting fall for right now, but we'll see. As for the name, it's Italian for "the fog," which can alternately refer to the local weather patterns or the condition of your head after a bottle of good Italian red.

· La Ciccia working on a new project nearby: La Nebbia [Inside Scoop]