FDA Not Convinced Impossible Burgers Are Safe to Eat and More A.M. Intel

Impossible... to get by the FDA?

The meatless burger has been showing up in venerable restaurants around the bay area, including Kronnerburger, Gott’s, and Jardiniere. Now the FDA wonders: Is it safe to eat? The answer is probably, but there’s been some talk about soy leghemoglobin, the ingredient that gives the burgers their pink, meaty quality. The FDA doesn’t think Impossible Foods has done enough testing to rule it out as an allergen; luckily for Impossible though, food manufacturers do not have to seek FDA approval for new ingredients. In a press release, the company claimed that that soy leghemoglobin has now been declared safe by two panels of food safety and allergy experts, has undergone extensive testing, and says it has low potential for allergenicity.

Toy Soldier is marching into Belden Place with a microbrewery

A new restaurant is opening in the former Belden Taverna space, from the same crew. It’s opening in late August with a “military-inspired” menu of cocktails and a microbrewery brewing Toy Soldier IPA. It’ll serve lunch, dinner, happy hour, and eventually brunch in the alley. Most importantly of all, the restaurant plans to stay open til 4 a.m. for late night dining, something the Financial District sorely lacks (though there are plenty of places to drink). Check out the menu, and stay tuned for an opening date.

CIA at Copia has a new chef in the kitchen

Chef Polly Lappetito is now leading the charge at the CIA’s massive Napa project, CIA at Copia. The chef will head up the kitchen at the Restaurant at CIA Copia as well as other TBD venues that will open in the space in the next few moNTHS. Lappetito comes from Ciccio, the much-loved neighborhood Italian restaurant in Yountville, and was previously the head chef at the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant at the CIA’s Greystone campus in St. Helena.

Friends with Benedicts is going all-in on Game of Thrones

The brunch pop-up happens each weekend on Polk Street, and for the next seven weeks it’s all about GoT. The menu will be adjusted weekly to reflect the events of the previous week’s episode (so perhaps this week it will serve s’mores?). There are two locaitons of the pop-up: Mykonos Greek Restaurant at 1433 Polk Street, and Chief Sullivan’s at 622 Green Street. Reservations recommended.

Feast on a Mexican brunch at Outside Lands

Little Chihuahua is hosting a brunch on Saturday, August 12 for Chase Sapphire members. It’s seated, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., and tickets are still available. Seems like a quick way to get fueled up on chilaquiles, breakfast tacos, and Mexican French toast before hitting the ground running.