A couple of places whose names celebrate the most magical of animals, the pig, have just opened around town. First up, PORCELLINO is now open in the former Incanto, offering a more informal experience for the Noe Valley neighborhood. Owners Mark Pastore and Chris Cosentino have created a fast-casual spot (you order at the counter), with a simplified all-day menu of small plates ($4-$11), sandwiches ($7-$11), three pasta dishes (all $14), and a few larger plates (tuna conserva, porchetta, and rapini and sausage, all $15-$16). You can also treat the place like a wine bar, since there are plenty of wines by the glass and small plates to go with them (and if there’s a wine you like, you can buy a bottle to bring home with you). There’s also the entire Boccalone line of salumi and sausages available to go. Open Mon and Wed-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-6pm, closed Tue. 1550 Church St. at Duncan, 415-641-4500.
After the neighborhood NIMBY ruckus about the wonderful bacony smells coming from BACON BACON’s shop in Cole Valley shut it down, owner Jim Angelus has reopened the location, with a top-notch “odor abatement system” (I’d call that bacon odor perfume, but that’s me). It has more of a café vibe now, with 13 seats inside and a to-go counter.
On the menu: their popular breakfast sandwich (fried egg, bacon, cheddar, and bacon jam), bacon cheddar scones, a bacon cheeseburger, a bacon fried chicken sandwich with spicy slaw, The LGBT (with bacon, Little Gem lettuce, tomato, and goat cheese spread on French roll), and more. Oh yeah, and chocolate-covered bacon strips for dessert. You’ll also find espresso drinks (they use Roast Co.), Mexican hot chocolate, and more. Open Mon-Fri 7am-3pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm. 205 A Frederick St. at Ashbury, 415-218-4347.
Porcellino’s Italian Dip (meatballs, provolone, marinara). Photo: The Dapper Diner.
