The Marina gets a new wine bar, and get ready to celebrate Perry’s on Union’s 50th birthday for the month of August, plus happy hour news, and the Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf gets a new look and bar-restaurant.
MARINA
A new wine bar has taken the place of Nectar Wine Lounge (which closed at the end of 2018, after 14 years!) called Essi Wine Bar (3330 Steiner Street, 415-624-3588), now with some dramatic indigo lighting and TV screens to watch big sporting events, plus a couple picnic tables outside. Come by for Winemaker Mondays, and there’s a pretty extensive (and hearty) menu, including deviled eggs, tuna tartare, smoked salmon or vegetable flatbread, and truffle lobster mac and cheese.
Boho (3321 Steiner St., 415-891-0242, cafebohosf.com) has retooled their menu and concept from upscale to casual dining. Small plates feature a variety of seafood (ceviche, tuna tartare, fresh oysters, mussels, grilled octopus, and lobster), duck liver mousse toast, house-made sausages, and more. Main courses include more seafood (branzino, king salmon, and Dungeness crab with pappardelle) plus meat (Liberty duck, steak, lamb, American Homestead pork chop), with vegetarian and gluten-free dishes also available. Bottomless mimosas are on the weekend brunch menu and the Sip & Bite happy hour menu offers wine and beer at half price and craft cocktails. Dinner Tuesday–Thursday 5:30–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 5:30–11 p.m., and Sunday 5:30–10 p.m.; brunch Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; happy hour Tuesday–Sunday 5:30–7 p.m.
COW HOLLOW
Mark your calendar for Aug. 20, which will be the 50th anniversary of Perry’s on Union (since 1969)! Perry’s (1944 Union Street, 415-922-9022, perryssf.com) has organized a series of events beginning Wednesday, Aug. 14, with an all-star lineup of celebrity and guest bartenders who will serve classic Perry’s cocktails nightly through Saturday, Aug. 17. Throwback menu offerings, including items from the original Perry’s menu, will be offered throughout the summer, and the entire month of August will feature half-priced wine every day. It all culminates with a big block party Aug. 18, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on Union Street, between Buchanan and Laguna Streets. Open to the public, the block party will feature three live bands and signature Perry’s fare, cocktails, beer, and wine. Perry’s will donate all proceeds from the block party to Make a Wish Greater Bay Area.
FISHERMAN’S WHARF
The next time you have some folks visiting from out of town and you want them nearby, there have been some big changes over at Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf (2500 Mason Street, marriott.com, 415-362-5500) — they just completed a $30 million property redesign, which includes a reconfigured lobby and bar, and the opening of Northpoint Bar & Restaurant, offering craft cocktails, local brews, and California wines. The menu from chef Robert Lyman pays tribute to the wharf’s seafood with classic dishes like a San Francisco clam chowder; Dungeness crab bisque infused with sherry and cream; Dungeness crab cakes with chipotle lime aioli; San Francisco shrimp roll (fresh sourdough roll, savory dill and shrimp salad); and pan-fried Petrale sole on a bed of garlic-smashed potatoes and broccolini, lemon-tarragon aioli, and fried caper berries. There are also flatbreads, salads, and shared plates. Indoor seating includes an 18-seat U-shaped bar, and there’s outdoor seating in a semi-enclosed area with six gas fireplaces, plus live entertainment in the lounge every Wednesday through Saturday from 4:30–6:30 p.m. Restaurant open daily 6:30 a.m.–midnight; bar 11 a.m.–midnight.
NORTH BEACH
Over in North Beach, The Showdown (1268 Grant Avenue, 415-772-0933, thepourguys.com) has opened in the former Tamarind Hall from The Pour Guys (Tempest, Louie’s, and Connecticut Yankee). It has a classic saloon atmosphere, with a pool table added, and there’s a kitchen serving dishes that go beyond the usual bar food, like duck fat popcorn, Tempest potato skins, a variety of seasonal fruit dishes (like summer melon with Espelette, sea salt, and olive oil), salads, and larger dishes, including a burger, Thai chicken banh mi, and drunken noodles. Bar open daily noon–2 a.m.; kitchen Monday–Tuesday 3 p.m.–1 a.m., Wednesday–Sunday noon–1 a.m.
EMBARCADERO
And just for fun, how about a weekend happy hour? Waterbar (399 The Embarcadero, 415-284-9922, waterbarsf.com) has expanded their happy hour to Saturday and Sunday, from 2–5:30 p.m. You’ll find $4 beer, $7 wine, $8–$9 cocktails, and dishes like Alaskan halibut crudo, oven-baked Golden Fog oysters, and more. And let’s not forget the daily featured oyster, for just $1.05 every day from 11:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Enjoy happy hour at the oyster bar or waterfront patio.
Marcia Gagliardi writes a popular insider weekly e-column, Tablehopper. Follow @tablehopper on Twitter and Instagram.
