It’s time to stick our heads inside the upcoming STARBOARD, opening soon on 16th Street, and take a look around. When we first mentioned the project earlier this year, we wrote that local barman Daniel Hyatt was partnering with Patty West (owner of Slate Bar, where he currently works) and Suzanne Ray (who used to bartend with him at The Alembic).
The 49-seat hofbrau will be open late and will serve beer and wine (about 20 wines and 20 beers, all in bottle). The menu is going to start out simple, adding more dishes and specials in time. It’s meant to be accessible and flexible, and as you read through it, you’ll see Hyatt’s cheeky tone that I used to love on The Alembic menu.
You can get scallion hush puppies, jerked and blackened fish, smoked turkey with Parmesan gravy, pork sausage, or roast beef, served as a dinner plate or sandwich. (And that roast beef turns into a French dip sandwich, with pho jus.) Snacks and sides round out the menu.
The space has paper-topped tables (doodling is encouraged), with a punch of color provided by the tufted vermilion banquette along one wall. Along another wall are two large custom pieces by designer and artist Matthew Wyne, a fun exploration in fonts and animal whimsy (you can see him at work here—he also did the custom pieces on the front windows). You can look at this short video of him painting the exterior sign.
In the back is a copper-topped bar, which has a standing area. The space has a fun, eclectic style, with overhead pendant lights that were formerly at Harry’s Hofbrau, and there are mismatched vintage windows and mirrors on the walls. There’s also a pass-through window—you’ll be able to order food while in Slate next door (and there are cocktails there too; look for an expanded list soon).
Inspections are currently in process, but they have everything in place and are excited to open very soon—best-case scenario would be in two or three weeks. Follow along on Instagram in the meantime. Hours will be Tue-Wed 5pm-12am, Thu-Sat 5pm-3am. Eventually they will add Sun and Mon, as well as brunch. 2919 16th St. at S. Van Ness.
Matthew Wyne and his original artwork for the front windows (note the cow “ears”). Photo: © tablehopper.com.
