Good news for SF’s Embarcadero (and for his many lady fans): chef Michael Chiarello of Bottega (Napa), television, book, and NapaStyle fame is going to be opening a Spanish restaurant in spring 2013 in the former Lafitte space at Pier 5. As reported in the Scoop and one-two punch of press releases, it’s going to be Chiarello’s first property in SF. The Spanish theme will include regional dishes from Madrid, Catalonia, the Basque country, and beyond (Chiarello’s daughter lives in Barcelona, and he was inspired by his many trips there). He’s working with architects Alberto Rivera and Michael Guthrie to transform the Pier 5 space: there’s a main dining room, a glass-enclosed outdoor terrace, and it sounds like there are plans for a tapas bar too. Stand by for more in the coming months.
Pier 5; photo courtesy of San Francisco Waterfront Partners.
