What's New and What's On the SF Food Maven Radar?

Wow, You go away for little while and things are a-changin'.
So much to catch up on!

Here are a few juicy tidbits that I have learned from other food writers around the Bay...

I know that Myth had closed and there had been a lot of speculation as to who and what would take over. Well, I just heard on the grapevine from my favorite eMagazinista, Marcia Gagliardi of Tablehopper that Quince is to takeover the space. I am super excited about that because I really like Quince and it's going to be right around the corner from my day job's hood. Sweet!

Also, in the works is a new Philly Cheesesteak place in the Mission on Mission at 24th Street, that totes the use of Amoroso Rolls, Whiz and all.  There is also talk of the use of organic ingredients.  Which should be interesting...  It's gonna be called Phat Philly (nice..) and it is slated to open at the end of July beginning August.  Not too far away...  Let's hope they can truly represent with a name like Phat Philly.  Will have to get over there when it opens to test their 'Steaks for the 'Cheesy Goodness Factor'.  Very very important stuff.  See my write up on it here to get a feel for what that means.

Now, let's talk about places that are either new, or a little older, but I have yet to try.  Let's call these spots - Places on the SF Food Maven Radar...
My #1 spot to try is Beretta.  This place has gotten rave reviews and you better believe that I will be frequenting the joint as reasearch for a future write up on here.  Tough job.  I know...
Another spot that I have been meaning to try for years now is RNM.  Bauer wrote about this place recently and says that the place is the 'blueprint' for combining casual & upscale, which is right up my alley.  Will report once I've had a chance to try it out a few times...
Also on the slacker Food Maven list is Nopa...  I know, I know, how have I not tried this place yet?
Cut me some slack, will ya?  I've been out of the country and out of commission for the last couple months...
Must get in to try Canteen as well.  I have been dying to try Dennis Leary's food for quite awhile now.
One other spot is Cafe Majestic... I have heard some great things about this place, mainly about Chef Ian Begg and company, and I plan on finding out if that is the case...
Update: Ok, so I just read on EaterSF that Ian Begg along with his Sous and GM/Sommelier Ryan Maxey are leaving the Cafe Majestic due to management differences.  Bummer...  Will be anxious to see where this toted trio ends up next...

Juicy Tidbit:  Word on the Street is that Morton's Steakhouse down by Union Square is giving away free, yes your heard right, free Filet Mignon Steak Sandwiches at happy hour from 5-7pm weekdays to lure in happy hour crowds.  Who wants to investigate the veracity of this 'juicy tidbit' with me?

As always, I am open to any suggestions that any of you may have...
I love hearing people say, 'Have you tried such and such?  They have the BEST yadda yadda I've ever had!'  So don't be shy people...  I want to hear from you...

Stay Tuned...
I am working on a plethora of write ups from Bix to the Thomas Keller-catered Prada Store grand opening that I attended last week...
I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Yours in Food,

SF Food Maven

PS - If you would like to read about the state of SF cuisine today, you should read SF Magazine's article about it by Josh Sens.  Click here.  I think his writing style is genius...

From Raptor's Delight to SF Food Maven...

Things are in major transition as you can imagine... Having been gone for the last month or so, things have been crazed since my return. Mainly been trying to get back into the swing of things from where I left off last May. It is now the end of July, has it really been that long? Time has flown by and now I am in the midst of playing some serious catch-up.

One major change, as those of you who have been keeping up with me, is the change from the Raptor's Delight to SF Food Maven. This has only contributed to the back up in the transition from one to the other. Raptor's Delight will now be my 'Raptor's Random Musings' on anything and everything from Life to Travel and of course, Food, in which I plan to write on that blog in 'my own voice'. SF Food Maven will serve as my more serious and hopefully more professional writing medium for myself as an aspiring writer. Both will provide good exercises in composition, I think... and I hope you as my loyal readers, both old and new, will stick with me in this transition and give me support.

So bear with me in this transition and work-in-progress, and I hope to have things moving much more smoothly as I get settled back into life as the Raptor & Food Maven. There are lots of delicious things going on, so stay tuned...

Yours In Food...

SF Food Maven aka The Raptor