Volta Drops Lunch Service, Specs' Gets a New Lease, More A.M. Intel

Volta discontinues lunch

SoMa Scandinavian/French spot Volta is changing up their hours of operation and dropping lunch as of today. While the food has been a hit (Bauer gave it three stars), it seems the lunchtime crowds still aren't finding their way into the space on the backside of the Westfield Centre at 5th and Mission Streets. "We gave it a solid try," owner Umberto Gibin told the Chronicle, noting that lunch will probably be back when the neighborhood fills up during convention season. Meanwhile, dinner service and weekend brunch are still on the table.

Specs' is good for another 10 years, at least

The Chronicle's Esther Mobley reports that noted North Beach dive Specs' has just signed a new, 10-year lease. So we can hold off the funeral dirges for that particular dive bar for at least another decade.

Woods Island Club gets some proper beer garden seating

Treasure Island's beachside beer garden from Woods Beer Co. will open on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. starting September 15th. Weekend hours now run from Noon until 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through the end of October. To handle the Indian Summer crowds, the bar has added a whole slew of picnic table seating out by the beer beach and thirsty beer-seeking visitors should stay tuned for a forthcoming nighttime event to coincide with the Treasure Island Music Festival.

Manos Nouveau to shutter

After about two years in the Castro, Manos Nouveau will close in the next two months. Hoodline reports chef-owner Manuel Montalban got an offer to buy out the restaurant and plans to use the cash to travel with his fiancé (congrats!). The new owners plan to re-open as a Thai place and Montalban says he may have investors lined up to launch a new venture when he returns.