Eating out is such a big part of the Bay Area social scene, it’s only natural to make the dining experience more accessible and of-the-moment. Which explains the proliferation of pop-up restaurants in our area. For chefs, the phenomenon means freedom to experiment; for diners, it means opportunities to socialize and eat with fellow foodies—often at bargain prices.
Pop-up establishments have one thing in common: they’re temporary—here then gone. Some have a regular schedule. Some are one-time-only. They can appear in private homes, other restaurants, markets, galleries, courtyards, street corners, abandoned buildings or even parking structures. The whole spontaneous vibe is even more exciting when the setting is unexpected. In Marin County, the venues are more in the realm of farm fields and vineyards. The concept will often take advantage of typically slow nights in the restaurant biz to fire up an underused kitchen and pack in the foodies.
So how can you get in on the pop-up action? Because these eateries are, by nature, ephemeral, it’s essential to get on the right e-mail lists. Word of these opportunities is usually spread virally via web. Do some poking around, then follow the ones that interest you on Twitter. Check these out for starters:
Phoenix Supper Club
Founded by Chef Tommy Halvorson (formerly of Gary Danko and Bix), Phoenix Supper Club has been around since 2009, making it the grandmother of all pop-up experiences. A restaurant is created every Saturday night in a historic building, mansion or gallery. Locations are often kept secret until the last minute. Menus are inspired by sustainable local ingredients.
EAT
This pop up appears at The Ambassador every third Wednesday of the month and at 111 Minna Gallery on Wednesdays. The next EAT is at 111 Minna on Wednesday, June 30th. Think of it as the rave of the restaurant world.
Radio Africa & Kitchen
This self-described “nomadic restaurant” operates out of Coffee Bar every Friday. Meals are family style.
Pal’s Takeaway
A counter inside Tony’s Market on 24th Street in The Mission, Pal’s is a tribute to clean, honest food. Sink-your-teeth-into-it items—like pulled chicken sandwiches and lemongrass pork ball banh mi—are featured on the limited menu, which changes daily.
Pop-Up General Store
A Chez Panisse alumni association of cooks makes pastas, baked goods, olive oils and sweets and sells them in a small, impromptu marketplace in Oakland. The time and venue are announced a few days ahead of time, so be sure to sign up on their web site.
Sources:
bayarea.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/pop-up-restaurants-an-experiment-in-experimental-cooking/
www.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/dining/12sfdine.html
www.contracostatimes.com/ci_15221815?nclick_check=1
