At last, Thad Vogler’s dream tavern, ~BAR AGRICOLE~ is opening in SoMa on Monday August 16th (many of you will recognize Thad from behind the bar at The Slanted Door, Jardinière, and Beretta). The name (Farm Bar) relates to Vogler’s tendency to trace drinks to their agricultural roots—and it also refers to the famous Agricole Rhums made from sugar cane in the French Caribbean (yeah, he’s a fan).
tablehopper featured Bar Agricole in a hardhat some months ago, but to share further details with you: chef Brandon Jew (Pizzetta 211, Zuni Café, Quince, Magnolia) has put together a meal of “Northern California cuisine” that could include anything from squash fritters to roasted leg of lamb (the menu was designed to respect the whole animal). Bar Agricole has close relationships with two biodynamic farms, Heart Arrow Ranch near Ukiah, and Marian Farms in Fresno. The all-day menu means you can come by for a small bite or a full meal (hours are from 6pm-1am, and daytime hours will be added soon).
Here’s the opening menu (subject to change):
Squash fritters 6 Piccalilli 5 Chopped liver on toast 12 Olives & herbs 5
Leafy salad 13 Tomatoes with bottarga 16 Bigoli with pesto 14 Green beans with mustardy potatoes 12 Rolled chicken and an egg 16 Grilled sardines & avocado 14 Corn pudding with ham 15
Fish soup with aïoli 16 Roasted peppers with shelling beans 17 Stuffed quail 19 Roasted leg of lamb 18
Cheese plate 15 Berries with custard 8 A dozen almond Madeleines 6 Rum raisin ice cream 6
The wine director (and “forager”) is Mark Ellenbogen, who is no longer putting together his well-known wine list at Slanted Door (Paul Einbund has taken his place, and will be overseeing all the Slanted Door, Heaven’s Dog, and Out the Door wine programs). Ellenbogen’s wine list will feature natural wines from 15-20 estates, from California, France, Spain, Italy, and Austria. Guests will be able to taste from four to seven wines from each estate. He will also be tending the herbs and flowers in the tavern’s front garden. German-born Andreas Willausch (Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant, China Moon Cafe, Masa’s, Farallon) will be managing the front of the house.
The bar manager is Eric Johnson (Bourbon & Branch, Heaven’s Dog, Beretta)—take a seat at the 15-seat bar for mixed drinks made with spirits that celebrate the tradition of farmhouse distilling. Thad, Eric, and Mark have also worked with local producers to create custom distillates, including a farmhouse curaçao, biodynamic brandies, and California pure cane rum.
Here’s the opening cocktail list (all $8—yeah, that’s my kind of drink price):
Traditional Sour: Armagnac Blanc, lemon, egg white Brandy Cocktail: curaçao, Italian vermouth, absinthe, and bitters Daiquiri: white rum, lime, grapefruit, maraska, aromatic bitters Jersey Sour: California brandy, lemon, apple, maple, aromatic bitters Whiskey Cocktail: dry vermouth, grenadine, absinthe, orange bitters Tequila Daisy: lemon, vermouth blanc, apricot preserve, chartreuse bitters Petit Zinc: farmhouse vodka, oj, red vermouth, farmhouse curaçao Whiskey Sour: lime, port, and orange bitters Presidente: California agricole, farmhouse curaçao, grenadine, orange bitters White Rum Swizzle: 2 vermouths, lemon, farmhouse curaçao, raspberry Ti Punch: hibiscus bitters Gin Cocktail: riesling and stone fruit bitters Star Daisy: Calvados, gin, grenadine, and lemon Capitan Cocktail: Armagnac Blanc, aromatic bitters, and chinato Dry Pisco Punch: pineapple gum and hibiscus bitters
The 72-seat project features many artisans in its construction and design—and architects Aidlin Darling Design (with Matarozzi/Pelsinger Builders) have created San Francisco’s first LEED-certified Gold building (and are eagerly anticipating the possibility of having the first LEED platinum-certified commercial interior). Please refer to the hardhat for details on the players and many features, like Sebastian Parker’s white oak tables and chairs that were saturated in red wine. It opens Monday—congrats team, it’s gonna be a beaut. And readers, you’re just going to have to take my word on it—sorry there are no pictures to share at the moment.
Bar Agricole’s courtyard fence.
