Once again
Quack House, Evan Kinori, Pacific Heights real estate, standout local designers, SF Symphony, La Bahia Hotel, MORE
RESTAURANTS • First Word
Fowl play
The Skinny: Brothers Eric and Simon Cheung closed their iconic Hing Lung Company in Chinatown last spring, but returned with Go Duck Yourself in Bernal Heights soon after, bringing their legendary Cantonese roast duck to a new generation and service style. They’ve just expanded with Quack House, which opened last month in the historic Beaux Arts building last home to Stanlee Gatti’s Meraki Market.
The Vibe: Gatti took two years to renovate the Quack House’s hundred-year-old structure, painstakingly restoring its beams, plaster cherubs, and arched windows. Its latest tenants haven’t done much to change the former upscale retail space, which boasts lofty ceilings, warm exposed brick, and marble floors.
The Food: Walk in and order from an iPad, or chat with staff for recommendations. Obviously, you’re here for the duck, famously stuffed with aromatics, dry-aged for four days, and cleaver chopped, but the crispy pork belly, char siu, and ribs all have devoted fans, too. They’re all available either by the pound or tucked into a box with jasmine rice, garlicky greens, and sweet and savory sauces.
The Verdict: A fantastic new addition to the Tenderloin’s stable of lo-fi-high-impact eateries and a new first-ballot answer for scratching the Chinese BBQ itch, from a team with plenty of experience doing so already. Keep your eye on the apps: They’re firing up delivery, so sometime soon, expect these ducks to be flying all over town. –Becky Duffett
→ Quack House (Tenderloin) • 927 Post St • Mon, Wed, Sat-Sun 11a-8p, Thu 11-5p.
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
Three properties that came to market in Pacific Heights in the last 30 days.
→ 2315 Van Ness Ave #7 (Pacific Heights) • 2BR/1.1BA, 980 SF condo • Ask: $1.350M • top floor unit in boutique building, Golden Gate Bridge views • Days on market: 16 • Agent: Michael Keane-Stack, Vanguard.
→ 1623 Vallejo St #2 (Pacific Heights) • 3BR/2.1BA, 1542 SF TIC • Ask: $1.495M • 1900 build w/ non-shared backyard + parking • Days on market: 27 • Agent: David Chan, Jodi Group.
→ 2550 Baker St (Pacific Heights, above) • 5BR/4.1BA, 3843 SF • Ask: $9.995M • 1910 build from City Hall architects Bakewell & Brown • Days on market: 11 • Agent: Lowrie MacLean, Corcoran.
REAL ESTATE LINKS: New heights for home values in the FiDi • Downtown’s stalled Oceanwide Center development sells for $95M • The Bay Area’s rental agents to the stars.
FOUND GIFT GUIDE • The Nines
Designers, local
The Nines are FOUND’s distilled lists of the best in the Bay Area and surrounds. Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or found@itsfoundsf.com. For the full archives, click here.
Lan Jaenicke (Jackson Square), rushed cashmere sweaters, column dresses, bespoke jackets
Evan Kinori (Mission), beloved designer’s moody utility clothes made w/ high-quality fabrics in muted color palette, intel here
Abacus Row (Nob Hill), delicate, memorable jewelry, precious stones and beads, upscale friendship bracelets
Nooworks (Mission, above), boho dresses and overalls in mood-lifting prints
Bryr Studio (Dogpatch), locally manufactured comfortable and stylish clogs of various shapes and styles
Neverend, upcycled and handmade pants and bralettes, dainty tops from fabric scraps, pre-order only
Cats Cats of California, gender-neutral sweatshirts and pants, matching kid and parent sets, accessories
Harper, veg leather bags and wallets, asymmetric fanny packs, US made
Jenny Lemons, food-themed hair clips, hats, earrings, keychains
CULTURE & LEISURE • Ya Filthy Animal
DL Hughley • San Jose Improv (San Jose) • Fri @ 6p • VIP, $114per
Home Alone • live score from the San Francisco Symphony • Davies Hall (Civic Center) • Sat @ 2p • LOGE, $212 per
Hasan Hates Ronny | Ronny Hates Hasan • The Masonic (Nob Hill) • Sun @ 7p • FLR, $212 per
CULTURE & LEISURE LINKS: John Malkovich to roast Beethoven with the SF Symphony • Decentered Arts reopens in a new SoMa space • Moscone Center’s first-ever EDM show set for this weekend.
GETAWAYS • Santa Cruz
Beyond the boardwalk
When the new La Bahia Hotel & Spa in Santa Cruz opened this past September, it made news around town. The historic property across the street from the Boardwalk sat dormant, run down, abandoned for decades. Ensemble Hospitality’s makeover of the century-old beachside retreat preserved elements from architect William C. Hays’s original plans — most notably, its ornate bell tower. Other aspects are a full update: the design team adhered to a coastal color palette, inspired by the waves crashing right across the street.
As a Santa Cruz County resident, I booked a staycation at La Bahia to check it out for a couple of nights with my daughter. We found our lovely corner room super luxe, with touches such as complimentary snacks (local saltwater taffy!), quality bath products, and comfy padded slides you’re encouraged to pilfer. (My daughter scored a pair in her small size, along with an octopus plushy plucked from a treasure chest at check-in.)
Onsite dining options are plentiful, including higher-end tasting menu spot High Tide upstairs, and all-day cafe Low Tide Bar & Grill below, serving souffle pancakes and giant benedicts.
After my daughter went home, I spent the afternoon at the central pool area tucked into the middle of the hotel’s third floor, far from beachside traffic and commotion. A hot tub is located directly above the street, with maximum views of passersby, wharf and ocean in the distance. Bubblegum pink towels and striped yellow umbrellas pop around the pool bar Plunge, which serves a small menu of cocktails, local beer, and wine, as well as ceviche, tacos, and fries.
My staycation ended on the bottom floor within the design-forward lobby space at Pearl, an upscale cocktail bar inspired by the spirit of a London Champagne bar. Low lighting, loungy seating, and shiny glints off the bubble chandelier and classy glassware added to the sleek ambiance as I sipped a farewell drink. –Amber Turpin
→ La Bahia Hotel & Spa (Santa Cruz) • 215 Beach St • From $496/night/Dec weekend.
GETAWAYS LINKS: Improvements on the road to Burning Man • Maui makes its vacation rental phaseout official • Hotels on Southern Rim of Grand Canyon are reopening • The real reason you should dress up for the airport.
LOST & FOUND • Behind the paywall
→ A handful of favorite Bay Area restaurants from new subscribers: Tadich Grill (FiDi) • Norcina (Marina) • Rintaro (Mission) • Hardwood Bar & Smokery (SoMa) • Copra (Fillmore).
The Quack House story is agreat example of how established food businesses can scale without losing their identity. Dry-aging duck for four days shows serious commitment to technique, especailly when expanding from one location to two. What I find intresting is how they kept the building's historic character intact while adapting it for fast-casual service. The iPad ordering in a space with plaster cherubs feels like the most SF thing ever. I'm curious how delivery will work with these kinds of volume orders though, duck doesn't travel as well as some other takeout.