State Bird Provisions made its debut on New Year's Eve at 1529 Fillmore.
PROVING ONCE AGAIN that more casual eateries are gaining in popularity in the neighborhood, a number of new restaurants opened just in time for the new year. Among them are spots helmed by two husband-and-wife teams with impeccable pedigrees:
Roostertail — a new restaurant specializing in free-range chicken cooked on a rotisserie spit — is now open for lunch and dinner at 1963 Sutter Street, formerly the longtime home of Cafe Kati. With its snappy logo and slightly naughty name, Roostertail is the brainchild of Gerard Darian, formerly of Bix, and Tracy Green, formerly of Chapeau. They met while working at Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio. The menu is heavy on free-range chicken and wings, but also offers beef brisket and pulled pork sandwiches and a number of chopped salads. The space has been totally revamped and now sports a modern, airy feeling with an open kitchen, walnut tables and a black granite counter with red stools. A patio out back will open soon.
State Bird Provisions — the first of three restaurants to open in the old Progress Theater building at 1529 Fillmore in the jazz district — brings a new concept and a new home for former Rubicon chefs Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski. A number of staffers from Rubicon, their far more formal Financial District mainstay, have joined them. The concept focuses mostly on small plates offered on carts and trays. It’s named for California’s state bird, which stars in Brioza’s signature crispy spiced quail dish. The restaurant opened on New Year’s Eve and serves dinner every night except Tuesday.
The space next door at 1527 Fillmore later this year will become the home of Hapa, from Nopa veteran Richie Nakano, who will keep his Hapa Ramen stand at the Ferry Building. Still to be announced: plans for the even more ambitious restaurant coming to 1525 Fillmore.
Across the street at 1552 Fillmore, Holy Dog has opened as primarily a carry-out shop downstairs offering sausages, hamburgers and wings. Upstairs there’s a dining room for eating in. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight and until 2 a.m. on weekends.
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