GLOBAL DOMINATION—Pizza chain Patxi's is the latest locally-born hospitality group to get an infusion of outside cash, which is intended to propel them to 60 new outlets in Seattle, Santa Barbara, and the Bay Area by 2019. They currently have nine locations in the Bay Area and three in Denver. They also apparently have an algorithm that predicts what pizzas are ordered at what time of day. [SF Business Times]
WASHINGTON, D.C.—We weren't aware that Greek Independence Day was celebrated at the White House, but it was, and sister restaurants Kokkari Estatorio (in SF) and Evvia Estatorio (in Palo Alto) were part of the festivities last Friday. Chefs Erik Cosselmon of Kokkari and Mario Ortega of Evvia teamed up with White House chef Cristeta Comerford to cook lamb chops, grilled octopus, and dolmades for 500 people, including President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. [EaterWire]
OUTER SUNSET—The lime shortage continues to force hard choices, and Tommy's Mexican Restaurant has been compelled by the crazy-high prices to jack the cost of their signature margarita by 50 cents to $9. Meanwhile, Tacolicious has dropped its pricier all-lime margarita option and now only offers a lime/Meyer lemon version. [Inside Scoop]
NORTH BEACH—Remember how Capo's chef Matt Molina was recently named World Champion Pizza Maker of the Year? You can try the pie that brought him the title at the restaurant beginning tomorrow. It's called The Dillinger, and it's twice-baked in a cast iron pan with a burnt sharp-cheddar crust and a four-cheese Hangar One vodka alfredo sauce before being topped with chicken, artichoke hearts, sautéed red peppers, bacon, broccolini, red chili flakes, and lemon juice. [EaterWire]
