April 4, 2017 - This week's tablehopper: book it.

This week's tablehopper: book it.                    

Flying high with an Aviation at the new Sequoia (on the fourth floor of Wayfare Tavern—details in today’s lush). Photo: © tablehopper.com.

Hey, happy/unhappy Equal Pay Day! Women make 20 percent less than men, and the wage gap is even greater for most women of color. Did you know the date symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year? Ugh. That’s a lot of work. Too much! Let’s get closer to January 1st, shall we? #20PercentCounts

Okay, let me kick my apple box to the side, let’s talk about some really cool things happening in the world of spring cookbook releases! Last week, I was happy to attend the launch party for Desmond Tan and Kate Leahy’s Burma Superstar, a beautiful cookbook that features many classic Burmese recipes (not just from the restaurant). If you want to join in on the fun, Green Apple Books is hosting a party/happy hour on Wednesday at 6pm, with snacks and drinks from Burma Superstar and, of course, books for sale. There is also a Cooks with Books event this Thursday at Burma Love.

This evening is a launch party at Heath Ceramics for Elisabeth Prueitt’s newest cookbook, Tartine All Day, with savory and sweet bites from Tartine Manufactory, live music from Gaucho Jazz, and wine from Uphold Winery (FYI, Uphold Winery donates 100 percent of net profits of Rosé for the Women to women’s rights!) and Manufactory Prosecco Punch. Tickets are just $10, and net proceeds benefit the Homeless Prenatal Program. Come buy a book and get it signed by Elisabeth! 5:30pm-7:30pm. See you there?!

Did you have a chance to peep the fantastic dishes I enjoyed at Dosa on Fillmore last week from their special Bengali menu, featuring many dishes from owner Anjan Mitra’s mother (be sure to scroll!)? They feature a special kind of spicing, with the levels dialed differently, like the clove-forward notes of the Bengali lamb curry. You can check it out from now through mid-April, with dishes like mustard chile halibut (so good with the lemon rice—and don’t be afraid to cut some of that green chile into the mix), the unique poppy seed potato (they’re an unrecognizable bright red in this dish), and the coconut-forward prawn malai curry. You can even come in for one of their excellent cocktails (OMG, the Snapchaat with snap pea!) and an appetizer, like the fried Baiguni eggplant fritters.

Lastly, I am finalizing my travel plans to Thailand in May/June (!!), and it looks like I’m going to be hitting the islands of Ko Tao, Ko Samui, and Ko Pha Ngan at the end of my trip. Would so appreciate any housing/travel/beach/food tips there! Whatcha got? Bangkok too. Thanks to everyone who already sent me intel. Mwah.

Oh, and I have some Passover/Easter hoppenings for you.

Hop hop. Marcia Gagliardi

the chatterbox

Gossip & News (the word on the street)

Black Jet Baking Co. Now Open in Bernal

Do you smell the wonderful aroma of morning buns wafting through Bernal Heights? Maybe (probably) it’s because BLACK JET BAKERY has opened! Big congrats to Gillian Shaw and her team, who have expanded the wholesale-only business to their first brick and mortar in the former Sandbox Bakery/Pinkie’s. Shaw says, “It’s such a treat to see people eat your stuff! Everyone has been ridiculously sweet—it’s awesome!”

In addition to their trademark spin on pop tarts, plus cakes, pies, cookies, and bars, there are some new additions on the menu, including croissants (made from the recipe Sandbox’s Mutsumi Takehara used; she is also the landlord!). There are also homages to the former Liberty Cafe in the shape of blueberry corn muffins and raspberry bran muffins, plus banana cream pie. Awwww. Look for hot cross buns for Easter and more.

Shaw pays homage to her Worcester upbringing, starting with some “bulkie” rolls, which are fluffy white rolls she grew up eating from the local Jewish bakery (she says it’s light and airy and like a kaiser roll), and it’s what they’re using for their breakfast sandwiches.

Another fun one is the Boston Beam Croissant—her sister (with the married name of Beam) was the evil inspiration to fill a croissant with pastry cream and then drizzle it with chocolate ganache. Wicked pissah.

And then there’s Shaw’s obsession with Fluff, which they are making their own version of and using in their spin on fluffernutter cookies. But here’s where it gets demented: they’re also doing a Somerville latte, which is a latte with a shot of Fluff!

They have partnered with Ritual Coffee for coffee and espresso service (Ritual was their first account back in the day), and they are also serving Song Tea, including a batch of brewed iced tea that has been popular these past warm days.

There are some benches attached to the building where you can perch. Swing by and welcome them to the neighborhood! Keep up with all the goodies at @blackjetbaker. Initial hours are Wed-Fri 6:30am-3pm-ish and Sat-Sun 7am-3pm-ish. 833 Cortland St. at Gates.

RT Rotisserie Opening in Hayes Valley This Month

Quick update for you on RT ROTISSERIE, the upcoming fast-casual/counter-service rotisserie place opening this month from Evan and Sarah Rich of Rich Table in Hayes Valley.

The menu will feature rotisserie chicken (from Rocky Jr.), porchetta (from Olivier’s Butchery), and cauliflower (yup, also from the rotisserie!), all prepared the same way with a buttermilk brine, umami powder, garlic, and Douglas fir, and then brushed with a smoked, roasted garlic oil, and finished with fresh herbs, including dill, shiso, parsley, and mint, and lemon on the side. There will be four or five sauces, like cilantro chimichurri and avocado ranch, and sides like umami sweet potato fries (dusted with porcini powder and herb mix), charred cabbage slaw, and who can say no to oysters on the half shell while you wait for your dinner?

You can enjoy the mains as sandwiches—served on a house-baked San Francisco-style Dutch crunch bread—or in a salad, with seasonal market greens like Little Gem, kale, or chicories, tossed with a miso vinaigrette and a house herb and seed mix. Beer and wine, including a proprietary pinot noir bottling from Jamie Kutch of Kutch Wines, check.

Dessert includes mint chocolate cookies, crackle sugar-topped molasses cookies, a bowl of market fruit, and a milk ice and seasonal sorbet blend.

The 800-square-foot space will have 46 seats, full of windows and natural light, plus continuing the design style of Rich Table’s white oak walls, although now there’s a chicken logo mural (which Evan’s dad designed, awww).

Hours will be daily 11am-9pm—I’ll keep you posted on the opening date. They will also be offering delivery on Caviar. 101 Oak St. at Franklin.

Sequels: Sababa, Street Taco, and Bernal Cutlery, and Le Marais Bakery Keeps Expanding

There are many cases when two are better than one. You know, like a ménage à trois. Ha-ha, I kid, maybe I’m not, anyway, let’s get back on topic. OKAY. There is going to be a second location of the popular SABABA coming to the Financial District, to 554 Commercial St., just seven minutes away from the original. Lunch service will be coming first, and a seasonal salad will be added. There will also be a larger dining area. Hoodline reports owner Guy Eshel will be able to ramp up more catering and delivery of their fantastic Middle Eastern bowls, hummus plates, and sandwiches in their house-baked pita (the original Kearny Street location is maxed to capacity). Look for a May opening.

Intrepid tipster Jason B. reports there is a second STREET TACO taqueria coming to SoMa at 83 9th St. My inquiries about the opening went unanswered at the original Haight Street location, but I’ll keep you posted as best I can. 83 9th St. at Mission.

You like shiny and sharp things? BERNAL CUTLERY is opening a second location in the Mission, which will be a new sharpening workshop and class space around the corner from their shop on Guerrero. Look for classes from owner Josh Donald on basic Japanese whetstone sharpening (along with free drop-in tutorials), while co-owner Kelly Kozak will be offering workshops for community nutrition educators and knife skills classes for kids and families (“Timmy, don’t point that at mommy!”). April 28th will be a soft opening celebration (at 7pm) with Taka Tozawa and Sea Forager’s Kirk Lombard showing the art of breaking down a fish two ways, along with sidewalk grilling, snacks, and drinks. (Mark you calendar!) Bernal Cutlery Workshop, 3505 17th St. at Guerrero, 415-355-0773.

The LE MARAIS BAKERY team is getting close to opening their second Castro location, and word is out that they’re also going to be opening a new bakery at 1138 Sutter St. in Lower Nob Hill in the former Larkin Street Youth Center. Hoodline mentions the 5,000-square-foot space will also be a production facility, and interestingly, “the youth center’s former offices will be turned into separate tempered rooms for cakes, croissants, and even a small chocolate room.” There will be a 20-seat pastry counter, and even though the offerings will be simplified with brunch, lunch, and pastries, quiches, coffee, and tea, it may scale up in the future. The production component will roll out first in the summer. 1138 Sutter St. at Larkin.

Vendors Coming to Warriors Chase Center, Taker for The Corner Store

It’s a couple of years out—the start of 2019-20 NBA Season—but the lineup of food vendors at the upcoming Chase Center has been announced (through Bon Appétit Management Company and Levy). While watching a Warriors game, you’ll be able to nosh on fried chicken sandwiches from Oakland’s Bakesale Betty, plus food from San Francisco’s Tacolicious, Sam’s Chowder House of Half Moon Bay, the Hot Dog Bill’s Burger Dog (previously available only to members at San Francisco’s Olympic Club Golf Course), and in homage to the Warriors’ history and late NBA Hall-of-Famer Nate Thurmond, Chase Center will revive Big Nate’s BBQ. They wanted to offer an “only in the Bay Area” experience for visitors and will also be including Bay Area restaurants through their Taste Makers at Chase Center program. Mission Bay Blocks 29-32.

If you were curious who’s taking over THE CORNER STORE at Geary and Masonic, Hoodline reports it’s going to be a third location of MO’Z CAFE—you may know the location on 5th Street in SoMa. It’s a pretty straightforward breakfast and lunch place, with brunch classics, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Dinner is also going to be offered, and it will have a casual and family-friendly vibe. Look for an opening in April.

You Can Now Grab Some Lunch at Iza Ramen and Contrada

Want to mix up your usual lunch lineup? Now serving lunch in SoMa is the latest location of IZA RAMEN, serving lunch Thu-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm. Take a peek at the menu. 1155 Folsom St. at 8th St., 628-444-3070.

And then over in Cow Hollow, CONTRADA is serving their lunch/brunch Wed-Sun 11:30am-3pm. Wait until you see their awesome back patio. Here’s the menu. 2136 Union St. at Fillmore, 415-926-8916.

510 News: Humphry Slocombe to Oakland, Kured at Duende, SF's Park Café Group Taking Over Actual Café and Victory Burger, Adesso Closing

Exciting news for ice cream fans: HUMPHRY SLOCOMBE is coming across the bay and is opening a shop in Oakland at the Hive in Uptown, joining Drake’s Brewery, Firebrand Artisan Breads, Red Bay Coffee, and Calavera. Look for an opening this summer, and Nosh reports founders Jake Godby and Sean Vahey will be launching their own Oakland flavor. Can’t wait to see what the Jesus Juice creators come up with. 2335 Broadway at 24th St., Oakland.

Chef-owner Paul Canales of DUENDE is launching Kured this Wednesday April 5th, a fast-casual lunch concept in Duende’s bodega. Come by for cured meat sandwiches, including Paul’s housemade sausages (like boudin blanc, spicy Italian, and merguez), plus the Pork-Betta Sandwich, with crispy cured pork shoulder and belly ($10), and a Crispy Chicken Sandwich ($8). There are also three salads. Open Wed-Fri 11am-2pm. 468 19th St. at Broadway, Oakland.

Rachel Herbert’s San Francisco-based Park Café Group (Dolores Park Café, Precita Park Café, Duboce Park Café) is now expanding to the East Bay and opening PARADISE PARK CAFÉ in the former Actual Café on the Emeryville/North Oakland border, which is an area Herbert was happy to discover is called Paradise Park. She said she knew Actual was a great 49-seat café and an important part of the neighborhood, and she wants to bring something good to the area.

It will have a similar offering to the Precita Park Café menu, with breakfast items, smoothies and juices, sandwiches, salads, and plenty of organic, healthy, and vegan options. They will be serving Equator Coffee and are currently tasting for another small Oakland coffee to highlight as well. Local beer will be on tap (with many of the new brews popping up). They are targeting June, hours will be 7am-8pm. 6334 San Pablo Ave. at Alcatraz, Oakland.

But wait, there’s more! Herbert is also taking over the flanking (and closed) VICTORY BURGER space and will be using the 20-seat space (indoor and outdoor) to host pop-ups, primarily dinner pop-ups. Look for more details on that soon, including a final name. For now, they’re referring to it as Paradise Kitchen Pop-Up. 1099 Alcatraz Ave. at San Pablo Ave., Oakland.

Was sorry to read in the Palmento a Dopo newsletter that the group has decided to close ADESSO after eight years of serving us some awesome salumi and wines and more. They haven’t set a date yet, but will be running some specials in these final weeks. In their note, they say: “We’d love to see and hear from all of you. It’s truly impossible to overstate how much we appreciate all the employees and customers who have made the past eight years possible.” 4395 Piedmont Ave. at Pleasant Valley Rd., Oakland, 510-601-0305.

the sponsor

This Round Is On Me... (hey, thanks!)

(Sponsored): Annual 3-Day Super Sale at TriMark Economy April 20th-22nd

Attention restaurateurs! Don’t miss the annual 3-Day Super Sale at TriMark Economy Restaurant Fixtures, featuring our lowest prices of the year on restaurant equipment and supplies. Live restaurant equipment demonstrations, free valet parking, and thousands of items on sale at ridiculously low prices.

Thursday-Saturday, April 20th-22nd, 8am-5:30pm daily. More information at TriMarkEconomy.com.

the lush

Bar News & Reviews (put it on my tab)

Take a Look at The Sequoia, Now Open at the Top of Wayfare Tavern

The historic 1907 building that houses WAYFARE TAVERN has revealed a new flourish on the fourth floor: THE SEQUOIA. Former offices were converted into this upstairs bar with a vintage SF gentleman’s club feeling, complete with tables that have checkerboard and backgammon designs on them (you can also play dominoes). There’s a bar with five seats, where you can perch next to Adam “Boots” Brogan, who is the lead bartender and can tell you all about the inspiration behind The Night Owl (it’s like a cross between a Vieux Carré, Boulevardier, and Sazerac, made with rye, Cognac, Campari, Bénédictine, absinthe, sweet vermouth, and bitters, and it’s deeeeelicious).

Ken Fulk is behind the design, which includes hand-painted wallpaper in the former gold vault room that looks like malachite—there’s room for about 5 or 6 in that private little spot (and a bunch of whiskey). They also took all the plaster off the walls, revealing some beautiful brick. And they added a skylight, so if you get there after work you’ll be able to admire some beautiful skyscrapers (and natural light coming in). There are a variety of tables with bistro chairs and banquettes, plus a spacious corner booth for a large group and wingback chairs in the corner. The leopard carpet is another nice touch. Rawr. The project took about two years to complete.

You can order quite the spread of Wayfare Tavern favorites off the menu, from the tarragon-spiked deviled eggs ($14) to the much-adored prime beef tartare ($17), which comes with housemade chips. You can also enjoy seafood like oysters (be sure to check the price on those before you order, just a heads-up), shrimp cocktail ($23), and a chilled Maine lobster ($20 for half, $35 whole), or saddle up for a heartier main, including the famed Tavern burger ($22)—get an egg on that bad boy—and the fried chicken ($28), always juicy with its buttermilk brine. Here’s the menu—love the vintage design of it.

The cocktail list ($14) includes some classics, like an Aviation or the lesser-known Scofflaw, or more recent creations, like a Secret Crush (brut rosé, Campari, sugar, bitters) from New York’s Employees Only. They all feature swank touches, including elegant engraved glassware and little brass ball-tipped cocktail picks. There is a selection of wines by the glass and three beers on tap, as well.

For now, The Sequoia is open Thu-Sat only, 5pm-11pm. You can make a reservation online at thesequoia.com through Resy, and then when you arrive, take the elevator to the left of Wayfare Tavern to the fourth floor. They are renting out the 40-seat space for parties (it’s so perfect) and can fit up to 80 for a standing reception. 558 1/2 Sacramento St. at Leidesdorff.

Wayfare Tavern            - 558 Sacramento St. San Francisco - 415-772-9060

the socialite

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

Spring Is Here: Passover and Easter Feaster

Event Info

Monday Apr 10, 2017 – Wednesday Apr 26, 2017

My inbox is overflowing with Passover and Easter happenings (matzo balls and bunnies, oh my!), so I need to tear through this quickly. Here are some highlights below! (Note: if you want your Passover or Easter event/offering listed in next week’s tablehopper, get in touch for details about our event listing offer.)

Passover PERBACCO is hosting their 10th annual Italian Passover dinner with chefs Staffan Terje and Joyce Goldstein collaborating for two evenings: Wednesday April 12th and Thursday April 13th. The four-course menu is $58 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. To make a reservation, call the restaurant at 415-955-0663.

Come by BLUESTEM BRASSERIE for Sunday brunch on April 16th and you’ll find  matzo brei ($14) on the menu (it’s a traditional Jewish dish made from matzo fried with eggs). And you get to take home some chocolate-covered caramelized matzo, sweet.

DELFINA is another SF restaurant known for their Passover festivities. From Monday April 10th-Tuesday April 18th, they will be serving à la carte Passover dishes, including carciofini fritti with artichokes, Meyer lemon, and mint, and lamb osso buco. As for the renowned Stoll Family matzo ball zuppa, it will also be available at every Pizzeria Delfina location: Mission, Pac Heights, Burlingame, and Palo Alto.

WISE SONS DELI is hosting their sixth annual Passover Seder Dinner on April 10th (sold out), 11th, and 12th at 7pm. The $95 ticket includes tax and gratuity. (They also offer catering for your seder table you can schlep home and enjoy.)

Don’t forget that MARKET HALL FOODS always has all kinds of tasty take-home options for Passover and Easter.

Easter

If you’re going out for Easter brunch on Sunday April 16th, here are some options. The first few would be perfect for out-of-town family or if you have grandma in tow, since she always appreciates a place with a nice view or pretty surroundings:

THE COMMISSARY is serving Easter Sunday brunch 11am-3pm; menu here. And then you can go for a nice stroll in the Presidio.

Another Presidio option is PRESIDIO SOCIAL CLUB, serving Easter Brunch specials.

Over on the Embarcadero, both EPIC STEAK and WATERBAR are hosting a three-course Easter brunch for $55 per person, both 11:30am-2:30pm. Here’s EPIC’s menu, which features charred asparagus salad with house-cured gravlax, ricotta, and slow-cooked egg. Waterbar’s menu includes soft poached eggs with spring onion drop biscuit, Gulf shrimp, and miso-brown butter hollandaise.

It’s hard to beat brunch at FOREIGN CINEMA, the SF gold standard for patio perfection. Brunch is $70; $25 for the kiddos. Call and see if there are any reservations at 415-648-7600 or book via the website. 10:30am-2:30pm.

Want your Easter to have a French accent? RN74 is making croque-madame gougères (MON DIEU), pomme fondue beignets, and more; menu here. Open a littler earlier too: 10:30am-2:30pm.

Don’t want to deal with Easter brunch crowds? Treat yo’self to the annual Easter ham sandwich at 4505 MEATS BURGERS AND BBQ on Easter Sunday instead. They get heritage pork legs, split, brine, and smoke them in-house. The ham is shaved thin, bread and butter pickles are piled on with sliced Gruyère, crispy onion strings, and it’s all sandwiched inside an Acme pain de mie roll. Available for delivery and dining in.

Feel like picking up some special baked goods (for others—or just yourself—to enjoy)? Swing by JANE for goodies to fill Easter baskets, plus hot cross buns, housemade Peeps, and spring quiches.

You know who else goes bonkers on Easter? RECCHIUTI CONFECTIONS! They carry Force Noir Chocolate Eggs, Hopster Bunnies (you can just guess why I am partial to these), and more. Order online, or pick up from the flagship shop in the Ferry Building or from the Recchiuti at theLab retail shop in Dogpatch.

And as a kickoff to Easter weekend, be sure to visit the FERRY BUILDING on Saturday April 15th for Goatchella, aka CUESA’s Goat Festival. There’s a goat petting stable, a cooking demo featuring goat cheese by Sophina Uong of Mestiza Taqueria, a discussion about sustainable and humane animal care, featuring local ranchers from Achadinha Cheese Company and Root Down Farm, and more goaty things. It’s a free event but includes some ticketed activities. Details, schedule, and tickets here. 9am-2pm.