Some new chefs in the mix. First, Rachel Herbert at PRECITA PARK CAFE has hired chef Tu David Phu to launch a new dinner menu. Phu has spent the past two years at Saul’s Deli in Berkeley, and he’ll be bringing a similar “make it by hand” ethos to Precita Park Cafe, turning out housemade burrata, mozzarella, pasta, and more. Look for dishes like thin-crust pizzas, fresh ricotta gnocchi, and entrées like sausage-stuffed chicken with braised fennel and romesco sauce ($14), and short ribs with polenta fries, braised greens, and crème fraîche ($15), with sweet potato pie ($3.50) for dessert. There’s also a daily happy hour (4pm-7pm) with wine and beer specials, plus music on weekends after 8pm. 500 Precita Ave. at Alabama, 415-647-7702.
~PICCINO~ in Dogpatch has a new chef after conducting quite the search: Jacob Town. He was previously the executive sous chef at RN74, and prior to that he was sous chef at Spruce. He is beginning to roll out new dishes, while the restaurant is also rolling out new hours: lunch hours are being diminished to Fri-Sun only, and Monday dinner service will be starting soon, so that means you can come by for dinner nightly! If you are bummed about lunch, please note that daily sandwiches and box lunches will be available in the neighboring coffee bar, with pizza available soon.
With the departure of chef Christian Hermsdorf from ~CUPOLA PIZZERIA~, Marc Tennison is taking his place—he was previously the sous chef at the restaurant.
Exterior of Precita Park Cafe. Photo by Rebecca Kinney. © tablehopper.com.