March 27, 2012 - This week's tablehopper: the hangry games.

This week's tablehopper: the hangry games.                    

The housemade tofu at Izakaya Yuzuki. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

Hello, stormy afternoon. The wet weather definitely has me heading to the movies more often these days—I was so fired up to go see Jiro Dreams of Sushi over the weekend. I know, I know, everyone is talking about it, but really, it’s one of those films many people should see (not just chefs and sushi fanatics). It’s about dedication, craft, family, and a portrait of one of the most astounding work ethics I have ever seen—we’re all a bunch of slackers, let me tell you. It’s supposed to wrap up this week, so get thee to the theater, pronto. (A nice bonus about the Landmark Embarcadero is you get three hours of validated parking, schweet.) And while I didn’t go out for sushi after the film like everyone seems to want to do, I did have a very charming meal at Izakaya Yuzuki—more on that soon.

After a long hiatus, I am happy to announce the return of a tablehopper wine tasting on Saturday April 28th at Café des Amis! The tasting will feature wines from the appellations of the Languedoc, and the very talented Josiah Baldivino, the head sommelier at MICHAEL MINA, will be leading the class. Tickets are limited! We look forward to seeing you there.

My dining lineup this week is looking verrrrrry good, including the OPENharvest Japan at Headlands and a family-style Basque dinner and fundraiser for Forage Kitchen. I know many folks are excited for the opening of Namu Gaji this Saturday as well.

One more thing to make you hungry: today’s episode of You Gotta Eat This features Cosecha Cafe in Oakland. You already read about Cosecha’s tasty tacos on tablehopper, but now you can listen as well.

Catch ya later! Oh, and a hat tip to @thedapperdiner for spoon feeding me today’s title.

Marcia Gagliardi

the chatterbox

Gossip & News (the word on the street)

Local's Corner Opens in the Mission

After a final inspection (slated to happen today), LOCAL’S CORNER should be opening in the next couple days. This latest project from Yaron Milgrom and chef Jake Des Voignes (of Local Mission Eatery on 24th Street) is opening in a former deli space. Since there’s no hood, it will be a bit like a Mission Swan Oyster Depot, featuring many preparations of local seafood.

The sunny corner space has a pleasant turn-of-the-century look, reminding me a bit of Heirloom Café on Folsom. There’s a pressed-tin ceiling, hand-painted wallpaper from Benicia, two levels of paned windows that were put in but look like they’ve been there for years, maroon wainscoting, bent cane chairs and marble-topped tables, and original Douglas fir floors. There’s a seafood counter with five seats, and 28 seats in all in the dining room, with plans to add more seats outside.

The initial menu has a variety of breakfast and brunch items, like baked eggs, green garlic, roasted potatoes, asparagus ($12); soft poached egg, smoked salt, brioche ($6); and granola, yogurt, seasonal fruit ($6). There will also be a bread basket of treats from cult favorite Knead Patisserie (Jake’s wife Shauna has her shop and counter in the back of Local Mission Eatery). Weekends will have a prix-fixe brunch menu. The daytime seafood menu will feature oysters primarily from California, smoked herring that Jake prepared when the season was in full swing, and smoked sturgeon. There’s also an arugula salad with spring vegetables, grapefruit, and confit shallot ($9), and celery root soup, golden beets, and mustard greens ($8); you can order some cheeses and a slice of country pâté as well.

There will be unlimited French press coffee from Sightglass, in addition to a single origin pour over. Once the beer and wine license kicks in, the wine list will be heavy on whites, sparklings, and rosés, plus four beers on tap and a big bottle list. Dinner service will launch at that time as well, which they are hoping will be in three weeks or so. Dinner will be Tue-Sat 5pm-10pm. Hours for now are Tue-Sun 8am-2pm.

Local's Corner            - 2500 Bryant St. San Francisco - 415-800-7945

Criolla Kitchen/Parish Eleven: Not Happening

After Eater and Grub Street posted about a “closed until further notice” sign in the window of CRIOLLA KITCHEN/the upcoming PARISH ELEVEN in the Castro, I heard back from my contacts over there about what’s going on. Yeah, it’s complicated, but basically the deal with the old ownership group didn’t work out, and the ownership made the decision to close. It’s not clear what’s next for chef Randy Lewis; Lewis, who was not an owner, said it’s unfortunate it didn’t work out. Hans Purohit, who was brought on to be part of the Parish Eleven incarnation, said he might be popping up with some of the crew in a space in the Mission; I’ll keep you posted.

Criolla Kitchen            - 2295 Market St. San Francisco - 415-552-5811

E&O Trading Co. Closing for a Renovation

The simultaneous Inside Scoop post and a press release announce E&O TRADING COMPANY is closing on April 15th for a month-long renovation. Architect Tonya Beluschi (District, Picán) is leading the million-dollar makeover, and when it reopens on the intended date of May 18th, it will be E&O Asian Kitchen.

There will be an open lounge and bar, taking up almost half of the property’s space, and a new sleek look. There will also be live music and extended business hours, with a new lounge and bar program by Carlos Yturria, with late-night bites. A new menu is coming from chef Sharon Nahm, who will continue to lead the kitchen while collaborating with consulting chef Arnold Eric Wong.

E&O Trading Company            - 314 Sutter St. San Francisco - 415-693-0303

Coffee News

A tweet announces that the newest PHILZ COFFEE location in Noe Valley is slated to open on Friday March 30th. 4298 24th St. at Douglas.

A friend in the Upper Fillmore tells me THE COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF has closed (a comment on Yelp says it was a lease renewal issue). 2201 Fillmore St. at Sacramento, 415-447-9733.

Jason B. tells me V^105 (the ^ is a spoon in the logo) is taking over the former Jackie’s/Java Wasted space. 105 Valencia St. at McCoppin.

Jason B. also confirms SILVERSTONE COFFEE is now open in the former Carlos Club near 24th Street BART. “Coffee, sandwiches, pastries (from elsewhere).” 3278 24th St. at Mission, 415-285-1512.

A Fun Way to Celebrate Earth Hour on Saturday March 31st

A fun challenge, a good cause, and a chance to win sushi and sake? What’s not to like? The PIED PIPER BAR & GRILL at the Palace Hotel is celebrating Earth Hour from 8:30pm-9:30pm on Saturday March 31st with a blind tasting of sashimi and wine where you’ll have a chance to win dining experiences at Kyo-ya’s sushi and sake bar.

They’ll be turning off the lights and blindfolding guests in teams of two: one team member will try to ID three types of sashimi by taste and smell, and their partner will try to ID three red wines. If you’re both right, you’ll win a $50 gift card to Kyo-ya. If only one of you gets it right, you’ll win a $25 gift card.

So, you gonna give it a shot? It’s $10 per challenge, and proceeds benefit the World Wildlife Fund, whose mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth. To register for the Earth Hour tasting, call 415-546-4126 or email. Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery St. at Market.

Even if you can’t make it to the event, consider turning off the lights anyway for Earth Hour. More info here.

Unlimited Oysters at the B Bar Oyster Bash on April 21st

B BAR SF atop the Yerba Buena Gardens is hosting its first B Bar Oyster Bash on Saturday April 21st. Local oysters from Ports Seafood will be paired with beverages from Trumer Pils, Oro Pisco, and Oakland-based NOCA’s Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Tickets are $25 and include unlimited oysters and three drinks. Additional drink tickets will be available on-site for purchase. There will also be live music, and guests are invited to participate in an oyster shucking contest, with the winner receiving free oysters at B Bar SF for the remainder of 2012. (The first 15 people to sign up upon arrival at the party are the participants.) Buy tickets here. 21 and over event. 12pm-3pm. 720 Howard St. at 3rd St., 415-495-9800.

510 Eats and News

Some 510 tidbits for you: first, the CHOCOLATIER BLUE chocolate shop on Fourth Street in Berkeley is now The Chocolatier Blue Parlor. Pasty chef Danyelle Forte is offering gourmet ice cream and ice cream-based treats, like sundaes, shakes, floats, and freezes. Current ice cream flavors, which change monthly, include young ginger, goat’s milk with Ennis hazelnuts, sweet lime with lemon thyme, and green apple yuzu, plus blood orange with rose geranium sherbet. You can still get Chocolatier Blue chocolates, cookies, and hot chocolate and coffee. Later this spring, built-in seating will be added to the heated patio. Open daily 11am-6pm. 1809 Fourth St. at Virginia, Berkeley, 510-665-9500.

HOT ITALIAN is now open in the Public Market Emeryville. As previously mentioned in tablehopper, there will be pizza, panini, and more. 5959 Shellmound St. at Powell, Berkeley, 510-922-1369.

According to some permits, SIMPLY GREEK appears to be adding a third location at 2929 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley. A call in to one of their locations reveals it’s not a done deal yet, so stand by.

And this post on the Albany Patch announces two new coffee businesses coming to Solano Avenue: an Airstream trailer by Local 123, and Suzette Crepe & Coffee.

New Chef (and a New Name) for Bonny Doon's Cellar Door in Santa Cruz

The CELLAR DOOR, the restaurant in Bonny Doon’s tasting room, has a knack for hiring excellent talent. Since chef Charlie Parker left, the Scoop announces the replacement is Ryan Shelton, who hails from Baumé Restaurant in Palo Alto, as well as Chez TJ in Mountain View, and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.

A press release announces the restaurant will reopen as LE CIGARE VOLANT on Sunday April 1st—the timing coincides with the 25th anniversary of the release of the iconic wine. Open for dinner Wed-Sun and lunch Sat-Sun. Wednesday evenings offer a special prix-fixe, family-style meal. 328 Ingalls St. at Swift, Santa Cruz, 831-425-6771.

the lush

Bar News & Reviews (put it on my tab)

tablehopper Tasting at Café des Amis: The Wines of the Languedoc

TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST!

It has been far too long since the last tablehopper wine tasting, so I am happy to announce this upcoming tablehopper wine tasting and class in conjunction with the CIVL (the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Languedoc, the joint trade council of the AOC wines of Languedoc). We will be tasting a variety of appellations from the Languedoc, and the very talented Josiah Baldivino, currently the head sommelier at MICHAEL MINA, will be leading the tasting.

This Saturday afternoon event will be in the swanky private room of Café des Amis in Cow Hollow, starting with a reception at 2pm, and then we’ll sit down at 2:30pm for the tasting and education session (and Q&A) until 4pm or so—knowing how everyone likes to taste and talk, it will probably run a bit later. Some light hors d’oeuvres will be served during the reception (including green bean beignets and mini versions of my latest obsession at Café des Amis: the French dog!), but it won’t be a replacement for lunch, just FYI.

Did you know the Languedoc-Roussillon region is the largest wine-growing region in the world? It extends along the Mediterranean from the Rhône Delta down to the foot of the Pyrenees. It’s not only the largest wine-growing region, but is also one of the oldest, so there will be much to learn and taste.

Josiah will lead an overview of Languedoc history, climate, cuisine, and culture before delving deeper into the details about the Languedoc growing regions and grapes. As for the wines, we’ll be pouring a variety, from a sparkling wine from Limoux to a white from Clairette to a red from Minervois, including these wines:

• Antech “Brut Nature” Blanquette de Limoux
• 2010 Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet
• 2010 Château de la Negly “La Brise Marine” Coteaux du Languedoc Blanc
• 2011 Château Viranel “Tradition” Saint Chinian Rosé
• 2008 Domaine du Trillol Corbières
• 2009 Château Rigaud Faugères
• 2009 Domaine Grès St-Paul “Antonin” Coteaux du Languedoc
• 2010 L’Olivier de la Rèze Minervois
• Les Petits Grains Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois

There will be plenty to taste, or this wouldn’t be a tablehopper event, ahem. There will also be tips on how to taste wine, and some food and wine pairing pointers with these delicious wines (Josiah passed the advanced sommelier exam last August, so he’ll have a great deal of expert insight for us).

Tickets are $35. Seats are limited (40 total), so get your ticket sooner rather than later.

This special event is a kickoff to L’Aventure Languedoc, from May 1st to May 31st, a month-long and citywide promotion of Languedoc wines at a variety of restaurants and wine shops in San Francisco.

PLEASE NOTE: There are no ticket refunds if you can’t make it to the event (unless we can fill your place, but there are no guarantees about being able to do that).

Also, there is a trade tasting on Monday April 2nd at the Westin St. Francis from 1pm-4pm. Register here.

               Saturday Apr 28, 2012 2pm–4:30pm $35 more info

Café des Amis            - 2000 Union St. San Francisco - 415-563-7700

Two Events this Week for Tequila Fans

This Thursday March 29th, TRES is launching Aficionado, a monthly tequila and food pairing. This month’s edition will feature Tequila Corrido Blanco and a food partnership with La Cocina and Chaac Mool; new bar manager Joel Baker will be introducing three brand-new cocktails. Diners will enjoy five courses of dishes from the Yucatan and tequila pairings: $75 plus tax and gratuity. 6pm-9pm.

On Sunday April 1st, REFORM CLUB is holding a dinner with Mi Casa Tequila and drinks prepared by Ricki Pavia (Rickhouse, Mi Casa Tequila). The menu is $40, plus a drink supplement of $25; a flight of tequila is available for $15.

A Fantastic Dinner Series with Scribe Wines in April

Coming up in April are three very special sunset and wine release dinners at SCRIBE WINERY in Sonoma to celebrate the release of three new estate wines. On Thursday April 12th, Anthony Strong of Locanda will cook to coincide with the sylvaner release; Thursday April 19th is Nick Balla of Bar Tartine for the release of the skin-fermented chardonnay; and Friday April 27th is Sylvan Brackett of Peko-Peko and the riesling release. Click through here for more details and tickets. $125 per supper.

Two Options for Your Beer Radar

On Saturday April 28th, Slow Food San Francisco and the San Francisco Brewers Guild present Slow Beer. Over 25 handcrafted beers by the San Francisco Brewers Guild members will be showcased along with artisanal food provided by local producers. Participants include: ThirstyBear Brewing, Magnolia, Hog Island Oysters, Monk’s Kettle, Abbott’s Cellar, 21st Amendment, Anchor Brewing, Beach Chalet, and Speakeasy. Proceeds from the event will benefit Slow Food San Francisco programs. 1pm-5pm. $50 advance online purchase; $60 at the door. Golden Gate Park County Fair Building, 9th Ave. and Lincoln Way.

Available now through Saturday March 31st, TWENTY FIVE LUSK is offering a beer and bites pairing menu in the lounge area and both bars (upstairs and downstairs). You get three six-ounce pours of Belgian ales (St. Bernardus Wit, Delerium Tremens, and Bacchus), along with three dishes (spiced prawns, a pork belly steam bun, and a roasted duck crêpe with Comté), all for $28.

Twenty Five Lusk            - 25 Lusk St. San Francisco - 415-495-5875

the socialite

Shindigs, Feasts, & Festivals (let's party)

Tasty Ways to Celebrate Passover

Event Info

Friday Apr  6, 2012 – Friday Apr 13, 2012

In 2012, PASSOVER starts at sundown on Friday April 6th. Here’s a little list to get your meal planning started for the celebrations. Many restaurants book up quickly, so make resos now!

For the fifth year, PERBACCO is hosting their annual Italian Passover dinner. Chef-owner Staffan Terje and owner Umberto Gibin have invited special guest chef Joyce Goldstein, who has inspired the four-course menu that includes dishes like brodo con polpette e uova per pesach (Passover soup with chicken dumplings and eggs); stufato di fave, carciofi, e lattuga (spring stew of fava beans, artichokes, and lettuce); and pan di spagna alle nocciole (Passover hazelnut sponge cake). Tuesday April 10th. $49 per person.

DELFINA will serve Passover-inspired menu items all week, including a new item this year: Beauty’s freshly baked matzoh, made in Oakland by their former pizzeria sous chef Blake Joffe. Other holiday dishes will include veal tongue dolce-forte, Delfina’s edible Seder plate, Passover ribollita, some brisket renditions, and the Stoll family matzoh ball soup with walnut-centered matzoh balls.

FIREFLY’s annual Passover offering is an inclusive celebration of family and food, and will have gefilte fish with bi-color horseradish, chopped chicken livers, matzoh ball soup, braised beef brisket with root vegetable tzimmes, two vegetarian entrées, and even gluten-free matzoh.

And some ideas for a celebration at home: WISE SONS DELI is making lots of Passover specialties for catering, check out the menu here. Update: per a tweet, Wise Sons is closed April 4th-14th, reopening on Sunday April 15th. ARIZMENDI BAKERY (multiple locations) is making their chocolate-covered coconut macaroons for Passover again. These treats are wheat-free and available by the piece or box starting April 6th.

Update: OLD WORLD FOOD TRUCK’s pop-up Passover dinner takes place at  La Victoria on Friday April 6th and Saturday April 7th at 7:30pm, with a family-friendly Seder on Saturday at 4:30pm. The menu includes vegetarian options, plus dessert, and it’s BYOB. Tickets are $45, and $25 for children 13 and under. 2937 24th St. at Alabama, 415-642-7120.

Hop Hop Hop: Easter Options

Event Info

Sunday Apr  8, 2012

EASTER SUNDAY is coming up fast on April 8th. Hop on over to any of these dining options for a real Easter treat. In case you’re wondering, yes, you should make a reservation.

Great timing, GRAND CAFÉ will unveil their new weekend brunch on Easter Sunday featuring a new menu, a “Build Your Own Bloody Mary” bar, and of course mimosas. They’ll be introducing brunch items like fried oysters with herbed polenta, braised greens, bacon, and spicy aioli; chorizo verde omelet with avocado  salsa, queso fresco, sour cream black beans, tortillas; and a wild salmon BLTA with bacon, lettuce, tomato chutney, and avocado with spring potato salad. Sat-Sun 10:30am-2:30pm.

Take a seat at 1300 ON FILLMORE’s annual Easter Gospel Brunch at 11am or 1pm to enjoy à la carte items like spicy tasso eggs Benedict and a catfish po’ boy, plus live gospel music with Future Perfect.

Sunday brunch at ABSINTHE BRASSERIE & BAR will present a new Easter special on top of the regular menu: Atkins Ranch lamb breast with brioche-dried fruit stuffing, root vegetables, and garlic-lamb jus. Look for other dishes like their Dungeness crab omelet with hen of the woods mushrooms, spinach, garlic, and Meyer lemon; and Rice & Eggs with crispy pork belly, fried eggs, shrimp, jasmine rice, stir-fried green beans, and soy-marinated chiles.

FOREIGN CINEMA’s three-course prix-fixe will give you choices like Friday Hama Hama oysters with spinach and bacon; Dungeness crab sandwich with tangy mayo, cress fries, and a salad; steak frites; and Sunny Side Comfort with two farm eggs, artichokes, mushrooms, and romesco.

For the kiddies, consider taking them to the THE FAIRMONT SAN FRANCISCO for an Easter egg hunt complete with Easter Bunny appearances and a balloon artist. Quite the spread of Easter Brunch Buffet will be served in the Crown Room from 10am-3pm; $109 plus tax and gratuity per adult, $54.50 plus tax and gratuity per child 6-12, free for children 5 and under. Another option is afternoon Easter Tea at the Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar, 1:30pm-4:30pm; $52 plus tax and gratuity per adult, $26 plus tax and gratuity per child 6-12, free for children 5 and under. Both include a glass of sparkling wine or cider and Easter treats. 950 Mason St. at Sacramento, 415-772-5204.

This one, not so much for the kiddies: BLOODHOUND will hold yet another Easter Sunday Butcherfest. Rick DeBaord of Café Rouge will demonstrate how to break down a whole goat, while you try the goat ham sliders with pickled beet relish and horseradish crème fraîche, the goat sausage (sheep casing) with a preserved lemon salsa verde, and the curried goat flatbread with yogurt, cilantro, and grilled asparagus. Complimentary cocktail included. 3pm-7pm. $50 online. 1145 Folsom St. at 7th St., 415-863-2840.

Enjoy an Easter prix-fixe menu at EPIC ROASTHOUSE with corn and shrimp bisque, ham and cheese beignets, housemade porchetta with hash brown potatoes and poached egg, chocolate truffle tart, and huckleberry crème fraîche cheesecake. Add the EPIC Spicy Bloody Mary cocktail for $8. 10am-3pm. $40 per person, $20 for kids under 12.

Next door at WATERBAR, the three-course menu will feature choices such as citrus-cured Alaskan halibut gravlax, yellowtail jack ceviche with crisp plantains and cilantro, grilled leg of lamb sandwich, and Meyer lemon pudding cake with crème chantilly and candied thyme shortbread. A children’s à la carte menu is also available. $45 per adult.

Meanwhile, the nearby AMERICANO at the Hotel Vitale will have Easter breakfast until 11am and brunch until 1pm. The breakfast menu includes short ribs and green onion hash with poached eggs and pecorino Romano, and banana pancakes served with pecan butter and Vermont maple syrup. The brunch menu includes pizza funghi with Fontina and black truffle oil, and a house-ground hamburger on a housemade brioche bun with spicy Parmesan fries.

Over in Union Square, SCALA’S BISTRO will add Easter specials to their normal brunch menu, including grilled asparagus with soft scrambled egg tartine, crème fraîche, chervil; green eggs and ham with wild nettles and Irish bacon; bacon scones; and a Ramos Gin Fizz.

If you’re looking for a twist on Easter brunch, CHAYA BRASSERIE SAN FRANCISCO is offering a three-course, prix-fixe Euro-Asian brunch. Each course features options like ahi tuna carpaccio with wasabi aioli, avocado mousse, a hard boiled quail egg, and yuzu-tamari soy for the first course; duck confit hash with a fried duck egg for the second; and frozen currant nougat with dried fruits and almond brittle for the third. Add a bottomless mimosa for $10. They’ll also have a young adults Easter platter ($15). 11am-2pm. $35 per person, not including tax and gratuity. This will also be the launch of their new Sunday Brunch menu.

Further afield, Redwood City’s DONATO ENOTECA will offer a three-course prix-fixe menu with entrée choices of roasted Colorado lamb with spring vegetables, yukon potatoes, and aceto balsamico, or baked monkfish filet crusted with squid ink bread crumbs with a saffron sauce. $42; à la carte options also available. 11:30am-10pm. 1041 Middlefield Rd. at Main, Redwood City, 650-701-1000.

Across the Golden Gate, Sausalito’s POGGIO plans to complement their normal menu with some Easter specials: braised Devil’s Gulch rabbit with thick cut tagliatelle, spring lamb cooked over a wood fire with favas, and local strawberries with vanilla- and orange-scented shortcake. A lovely spot worth crossing a bridge for.

And finally, some Easter treats for ya’. Look for STARTER BAKERY’s colomba di Pasqua (Italian Easter Bread, similar to pannetone) at their farmers’ market spots and via pre-order for pick up at the bakery. ARIZMENDI BAKERY gets festive every holiday, Easter being no exception: they’ll have hot cross buns April 6th-8th, available by the piece or dozen (orders encouraged, 415-566-3117). On Sunday April 8th only, JASPER’S CORNER TAP & KITCHEN can supply you with five varieties of their delicious deviled eggs—spicy hummus, BLT, romesco, Caesar salad, garden herb, and sweet pea with crab—for $1.50 each, or choose three eggs for $4.

Hop to it!

Update: 15 ROMOLO is putting together three Easter faves for a Bunny Bourbon Brunch: it’s brunch all day with Easter specials like colored pickled eggs, chicken-fried rabbit and waffles, lamb pastrami and rainbow carrot hash home skillet, and bacon-eared bunny burgers, plus boozy desserts. They’re also having some friends over, like bar manager Darren Crawford from Bourbon & Branch, who will be guest-slingin’ bourbon cocktails and punch. 15 Romolo Place at Broadway, 415-398-1359.

the sugar mama

Giveaways (get some)

(Sponsored): Name the Big Red Guy at the Drake and Win!

Union Square’s Sir Francis Drake, a Kimpton Hotel, needs your help naming the “Big Red Guy” who presides over Bar Drake in the lobby. He’s over 12-feet tall and really needs a name! Enter your best ideas on the Sir Francis Drake’s Facebook page for a chance to win dinner for two at Scala’s Bistro, passes to Harry Denton’s Starlight Room, and a room to crash in at the Drake after the fact.

Enter online now. Must be 21+ to enter; contest ends April 4th at 6pm. Good luck!

the starlet

Star Sightings in Restaurants (no photos please)

The Sundance Kid Swings by Marlowe

Here’s a good one for you: Robert Redford walked in to Marlowe last night with six others around 7:30pm. They shared wine, a few snacks, and laughs—he was reportedly very gracious. Redford is currently filming a documentary with his son called Watershed, in an attempt to raise awareness about the environmental threats to the Colorado River system. (Read more about the doc here.)

Whoa, Was That Britney, Bitch?

Britney Spears and her fiancé, Jason Trawick, were spotted in San Francisco last week. They stayed at the W San Francisco for a couple nights in the Extreme-WOW suite (W’s spin on the Presidential Suite). They stayed relatively low-key during their visit, but were seen shopping nearby at Westfield San Francisco Centre;  Brit reportedly was in town for a meeting with a local beauty site.

Jean Paul Gaultier Hits the Town

The one and only Jean Paul Gaultier was in town for the opening of his fashion retrospective at the de Young, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: from the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. This past Saturday evening, he was spotted at Twenty Five Lusk.

Leave it to my writer pal Marke B. over at the Bay Guardian to have the nightlife details: Gaultier made some stops at “the Some Thing drag show at the Stud on Friday, [and had] a cruisy interlude at the Powerhouse on Saturday.”

Yeah Yeah Yeah!

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who were in town for The Creators Project (still can’t believe I didn’t go!), came in to Rose Pistola for dinner. (Here’s a pic of Karen O’s fab cowgirl ensemble during their performance.)

John Waters, Fan of Foreign Cinema

On his recent stop in San Francisco to perform, John Waters dined with a friend at Foreign Cinema. He is reportedly a regular when he’s in town, and told chef Gayle Pirie, “You have always fed me so well over the years. How can I resist coming here!? I love it!”

He started with the squid appetizer with poblano chilies, chickpeas, and aioli, and his entrée was the Grains & Greens (quinoa, sauce romesco, broccoli rabe, baby turnips, artichokes, pappadam). So healthy!

Busy, Busy at the Grand Café Bar

First up, singer Kelly Clarkson was at the Grand Café bar Sunday night drinking a bloody Mary. Not sure why she was in town, but my spotter just loved that she was drinking a bloody Mary in the evening.

On the same evening, right before the restaurant closed, Jonathan Pryce (who’s the British actor that’s staring in the “Caretaker” over at the Curran), came into the Grand Café bar with a small group. He ordered a Grey Goose on the rocks.

Ordering from the Right Side of the Menu

My spy at Venticello tells me conservative chums Ann Coulter (columnist, commentator, lawyer) and Peter Thiel (PayPal dude, venture capitalist, and philanthropist) had dinner together on Sunday evening. (My spotter also pointed me to this funny Coulter sighting via a Nob Hill blogger.)