from this week's tablehopper. www.tablehopper.com/2007/06/...2007.html

as well as a quick blurb about the new 'nickies': www.tablehopper.com/2007/06/...kies.html


"In the Lower Haight, ~BAGHDAD 1,001 NIGHTS~, an Iraqi restaurant, is opening August 1, just next door to Zuzu Petals. The owner of the building, Husain Nasir, has dreamed for the past 12 years of having his own place that would serve Iraqi-style Arabic cuisine, so he’s beyond excited. The chef is coming from Iraq, and will be preparing authentic dishes like biryani and one called snobar with lamb, pine nuts, and walnuts, plus okra with lamb and tomato sauce. Many dishes will come from the tandoori, including some naan breads. The two-level will have 49 seats. It’s meant to be spacious, comfy, and casual, with an exotic and colorful look. Dinner to start, with lunch later on. Beer and wine will be available. And expect some belly dancing shows. 682 Haight St. at Pierce.

More changes in the 94117: ~LE MÉTRO CAFÉ~ on Divisadero served their last Frenchie dinner on Sunday night, June 10. They are closing for a (hoped-for) two weeks, and when they reopen, according to my source, it will be called Kathmandu, serving small plates of Nepalese food for $10 and under, with plans to stay open late, until 1am. (Owner Roshan and his wife Sharadha are from Nepal.) I see some future confusion with the tiny family-run Kathmandu Café, just a few blocks away, on Fulton and Divis. 311 Divisadero St. at Page, 415-552-0903.

Another dueling business arrangement on Divisadero will be happening when a ~yet-unnamed Texas-style BBQ joint~ opens on Divisadero at McAllister, just two blocks away from Lilly’s-Bar-B-Que (formerly known as Brother-In-Laws, AKA the pit that I can smell from my apartment when the wind is right). I have to say, my mouth began to water when I started hearing the line-up: slooooooow-smoked brisket, pork ribs, chicken, and links made by someone specially chosen for the task, so the casing will be less tough/more refined. There will be 20 seats, with a long banquette and tables—the space is being designed by Architects II (who also recently did Mexico DF—more on that in a sec). The project is from Regional Burrell and Al Bourges, friends who met playing racquetball some 20 years ago. Beer and wine will be served, and the plan is to be able to phone/fax in orders for take-out. Opening is slated for September. 853 Divisadero St. at McAllister."