COW HOLLOW
If you’re lucky, you may have already met the charming sisters behind The Caviar Co. (1954 Union Street), Petra and Saskia Bergstein, at some swish culinary events around town. They supply national customers and a number of chefs and restaurants with their caviar, and care deeply about sourcing sustainable and quality caviar, but they also like to offer affordable options so everyone can enjoy it.
The sisters are opening their first brick-and-mortar shop on Union Street, by Perry’s and right in the thick of things (they have just been online up to now). Visitors to the store will be able to ask questions and buy caviar and caviar-related items, like potato chips and mother-of-pearl spoons. The shop will stock their best sellers, like white sturgeon, local hackleback, spendier golden osetra, and smoked trout roe — perfect for your weekend brunch at home. And because they pack to order, their product is always fresh. Guests will also be able to pick up special orders at the shop, and their caviar club members will be greeted with a glass of Champagne (it will be their Caviar Clubhouse).
The room will be very Hollywood glam, with velvet and a large marble table (with brass legs!) with room for 10, which is where they will hold special caviar tastings. When you book the experience, guests will have their own small jars to taste from and explore. Don’t have 10 friends to taste with? No problem, just talk to the sisters about what you want to do, and they’ll work with you. They also offer caviar catering for events and private parties and have a custom trike for events that you will see in the shop as well.
They plan to open the first weekend in March. Hours are TBD, but are looking like 10 a.m.–6 p.m. for now.
RUSSIAN HILL
Night owls and partiers: Mezcalito (2323 Polk Street, 415-441-2323) is now open late, until 2 a.m., with food available until 11 p.m., like octopus tostadas, tacos de pescado, and confit pork belly tacos!
Affordable and awesome meals are always appreciated, so here are a few to have on your radar. At Belcampo (1998 Polk Street, 415-660-5573) they are starting a weekly Home-Cooked Sunday Supper series, a comforting three-course dinner for $35 per person. Each week, the menu will feature a recipe from Belcampo founder and CEO Anya Fernald’s cookbook, Home Cooked (and with the purchase of the Home-Cooked Sunday Supper, diners will receive 50 percent off the cookbook). Sample dishes include beef tartare or market salad, steak frites, spaghetti Bolognese, the Belcampo Burger, wild-caught fish, and dessert (like warm seasonal crisp or flourless chocolate cake).
FILLMORE
First Fridays is when 1300 On Fillmore (1300 Fillmore Street, 415-771-7100) hosts Fried Chicken Friday. You get a three-course prix-fixe menu for $29: mixed green salad, David’s fried chicken with mashed potatoes, and chef’s selection of dessert. And look at that: This Friday, March 3 is a first Friday. Bwok!
NORTH BEACH
Rose Pistola (532 Columbus Avenue) has decided to close its doors after 21 years in business in North Beach. In their farewell note, they say, “While it’s been an amazing experience, with many friends and great memories made over the years, we have decided that due to rising costs it is no longer feasible to continue to operate. We have loved being part of this neighborhood and are so grateful for the support of the North Beach community over the past two decades. Many thanks to all our employees, vendors, and customers for their support and patronage over the years.”
Kudos to the team for such a long run. Rose Pistola was an integral part of the North Beach scene and the home of so many memories for people, both locals and tourists who would return again and again. I remember being so in love with their wood-fired pizzas and family-style dishes, the jazz and cocktails, and outdoor seating. They did a lot of things right, and chef Steve Walker was doing a great job with his salumi and pasta dishes. Thanks to the team for taking such good care of so many people over the years.
