If you want to step your toes into ~SAISON~ without ponying up for the full tasting menu (for $298), you can experience the more approachable Salon menu instead. The à la carte menu features dishes like Monterey Bay abalone, stew of rice and abalone liver, coastal greens, and artichoke ($20), and wood pigeon roasted over cherrywood embers, cherry leaf, dried cherry, and cherry blossom ($38). The menu changes daily, and you also have access to sommelier Mark Bright’s 5,000-bottle wine list, plus the new cocktails served in handblown Japanese glassware. Since there’s only room for 14, reservations are highly recommended.
Manny Gimenez Torres, of Roxy’s and formerly of Mr. Pollo, has opened a new location in the Mission. This time around, it’s THE PALACE, in the former (and cultish) Palace Family Steakhouse. The new place will be protein-focused, with steak as the star. There’s a five-course tasting menu for $50, with meat, seafood, and vegetables, all served “three ways” per plate. There is also an à la carte menu, with different cuts of steak and sides ranging from standard creamed spinach and baked potatoes to plantains and yucca. You’ll also find rotisserie chicken, oysters on the half-shell, and pork chops. Takeout orders are encouraged, and, until the place has a liquor license, BYO is encouraged. The Palace is open Wed-Sun 6pm-10pm for dinner, with a late-night menu available 10pm-12am. 3047 Mission St. at Cesar Chavez, 415-666-5218.
Looks like UMAMI BURGER is going to have a second SF location: it will be opening in the former Burger Joint space in SoMa at the end of the year and will have a bar as well (via Scoop). 242 King St. at 3rd St.
My Russian Hill P.I., Michele Mandell, let me know ANDY’S CHINESE CUISINE, a favorite of many for delivery (well, except me), has closed. Scoop adds that former workers at Andy’s will be opening another restaurant in its place. The Inner Sunset location remains open. 2401 Polk St. at Union.
The bar at Saison. Photo: Bonjwing Lee.
