This is just kinda sad: In a major act of retroactive CYA, Kevin Montgomery -- after going all bro-douchey on local coverage of the detention of Amuse Bouche vendor Murat Celebi-Ariner last week (an important story in the, uh, Mission) -- of Mission Mission shows new concern for the plight of the immigrant.
Obviously this isn't going to turn into an immigration blog because of one post, but I invited people to share their stories of real immigration struggles. This is one of those stories.Follows a long story from a reader, presumably, about a kid scooped up and thrown into ICE detention. And you wanted us to know this because?
Caudle also said Celebi-Ariner planned to apply for a green card this afternoon.
We're no fans of the optimistic predictions that the recession is over. But October saw the fewest closures of San Francisco restaurants in the past six months. And for the ones that did close, new tenants were generally already in line.
After changing Hawthorne Lane to the more casual Two a couple of years ago, David Gingrass announced that, along with the end of his lease at the close of this year, he'd be vacating the premises while pondering his next move. French Laundry vet Corey Lee has already secured the space for the upcoming Benu. Two (22 Hawthorne at Howard) remains open through December.Meanwhile, the erstwhile San Francisco Brewing Company will become the Comstock Saloon, a new venture from the owners of Absinthe.
No plans have been announced for the next incarnation of the space atop the Embarcadero Center that spent two decades as Chevys. Nor for the storefront next to Lupa, whose owner -- Stefano Coppola -- tried out Bistro 24 for three months (Coppola's City Grill previously occupied the space for only six months). Got a sec? Read the short list of the 86ed (after the jump).
If you're looking for something less traditional for Thanksgiving than a heritage gobbler, consider turducken from 4505 Meats. Rock star butcher Ryan Farr is taking orders for the turkey-duck-chicken mashups (stuffed with cornbread-chicken sausage stuffing) through Nov. 20. The birds are organic and free range, and the turducken comes in two sizes: 15 pounds ($200) and 20 pounds ($250). You'll have to pick it up in Potrero Hill, or opt for overnight shipping (which is extra). Place an order by e-mailing Meats@4505Meats.com. Cash or check only.
[Full disclosure: Mary Ladd does occasional work for Bi-Rite's catering department.]
"When we say no holds barred that means we'll be doing some really interesting things determined by the events," Lawrence said. Meaning, the guest chef and what's available at the time will shape the menu. She said Fox would lend a hand at the Tuesday dinners, which are expected to run through the spring, when Ubuntu's gardens will be back in full production. Lawrence said some 95 percent of Ubuntu's produce comes from its gardens.
As for the possibility of flesh, Lawrence -- who's not a vegetarian herself -- said she's more concerned with sustainability than the ethics of meat. Ubuntu (1140 Main at Pearl, Napa) recently snagged its first Michelin star. On Sunday, Fox is appearing with N.Y. chef David Chang at Omnivore Books Don't be surprised if the Momofuku chef takes a future guest turn at one of Ubuntu's Tuesday nights.
In late September, Hopfinger became a casualty of the ownership change at Circa (2001 Chestnut at Fillmore). His cooking, however, goes on and on, via Nova's brunch menu (served 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat-Sun), tagged "Hoppy's Brunch." It's scrawled with Hopfinger's comfort-food signatures, circa Circa: fruit cobbler French toast, spicy chicken wings, over-the-top mac 'n' cheese, tomato soup with mini grilled cheese. Plan on nothing more taxing than iced tea and salad for the rest of the day because, clearly, you'll leave uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, recent Top Chef ejectee Laurine Wickett is behind the range at Coffee Bar (1890 Bryant at 17th St.) this Saturday, Nov. 7, and next Tuesday, Nov. 10, for a three-course prix fixe ($35, $55 with wine pairings). Check out the menu and seating times here. But act fast, since, well, unlike revenge, Top Chef glory is best served up hot.
A few ladies were tearing into saucy-looking specimens when we arrived, bellowing wordless incantations of glee between bites. Nominal vegetarians, they were also grilling the cook with regard to the old meatless standby's premature extinction. He relinquished no ground, describing the whole vegan burger endeavor as "too prohibitive" for the work he and his comrades were doing, and suggesting cheerfully that mourners should "get over it."
A perfect response, we thought, as we packed away a foil-wrapped parcel to haul home. We remembered something a good friend -- incidentally, also a good cook -- said a long time ago, back when our vegetarianism was in the grips of a death knell, a once-firm consumption-shaped identity fizzling fainter and fainter with each carnivorous undertaking. We were still wary of pork then, hesitant to throw down for ribs to cook at a backyard barbecue. "Don't get chicken!" he'd exclaimed as we'd walked towards the store, flabbergasted we were even entertaining the idea. "Chicken's a vegetable!"
Brand: Jade Chocolates
Origin: San Francisco
Found at: Chocolate Covered (4069 24th St. at Noe)
Cost: $12
Ingredients: Bittersweet chocolate, dry roasted edamame, sea salt.
Calories per serving: Not listed
The word: Local independent confectioner Jade Chocolates packages these party-sized treats in Chinese take-out boxes. Edamame, the green soybeans that are a staple at sushi joints, are roasted, dipped in dark chocolate and dusted with cocoa powder.
Tasting notes: Go the slow route and suck the chocolate off first to really experience the nutty soybean flavor. If that sounds too freaky, you'll just get a nice sweet crunch if you chew it up quickly. Win-win.
Buy it again? Yes, although the price point will limit the frequency. (Maybe they'll consider offering a smaller size at some point?)
Extra credit: They're vegan!
