Zagat Buzz

Inspired by Italy’s casual neighborhood enotecas, chef Gary Rulli has transformed the former Marina location of Emporio Rulli into Ristobar, an Italian small-plater offering a midpriced menu that runs from agrodolce-style lamb meatballs to crackling-thin artisanal pizzas to show-stopping dolci; when you’re not craning your neck to view the majestic frescoes on the soaring ceiling, check out the newly installed Enomatic machines behind the marble-topped bar.

2300 Chestnut St., San Francisco; 415-923-6464

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The SoMa newcomer Marlowe dishes up a weekday lunch and dinner menu of affordable New American bistro fare like burgers, roast chicken and steak frites, accompanied by a nicely priced wine list; the rustic-chic setting includes whitewashed brick walls, a chalkboard menu and popular food quotes – chosen by the public via Twitter – etched into the front window.

330 Townsend St., Suite 101, San Francisco; 415-974-5599

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On the first day of “friends and family” at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s newest juggernaut, Mark Restaurant, in the hotel of the same name, there were plenty of expected industry types like Lana Trevisan who oversees the Standard Grill and Lure Fishbar owner John McDonald in attendance. But there were also boldfaced names like Samantha Boardman, Patrick DeMarchelier, Isabel Rattazzi and Chuck Scarborough – not the types you want to iron out too many kinks with. “Mick Jagger just walked in with a friend who was invited,” noted Vongerichten on the second night’s crowd. “He showed up and we had no idea he was coming.”

No expense was spared in the dining area, where kind peach light filters through Mondrian glass and bounces off copper paneling in the main room, and a soaring skylight gives an expansive feel to the back. “The chairs were $1200,” whispered an interior designer, “I’ve never known anyone to spend more than $600.” Meanwhile, the lounge area has been given a fanciful look with pony-painted fabric on the seats, a curved bar (making it easy for people to face each other) and silver light fixtures that had guests free-associating everything from “shooting stars!” to “disco balls!” to “colanders!”. Several guests described the overall vibe as “the new Le Cirque.” More

Speaking of EVOO, we’ve got more from owners Peter and Colleen McCarthy about their plans to reopen their popular Eclectic eatery in larger Kendall Square digs. Opening March 1, with a new location of Za next door, the space will accommodate 20 more seats than the old location, and sports a 15-stool full bar with a greater selection of beers on tap. “It’ll be nice to have a bar that’s not in the middle of the dining room,” Peter tells the Buzz.

There will also be a private dining room, outdoor seating, an exhibition kitchen and the McCarthys hope to roll out lunch service in early April (the restaurant was previously dinner-only). Housed in The Watermark apartment building, which is registered to be LEED-certified, the restaurant will incorporate more eco-friendly touches like compressed, recycled paper on its tables, while Za will feature an industrial look with reclaimed wood tables. “It’s two restaurants run independently that have some shared infrastructure,” says Peter (350 Third St.).

Speaking of EVOO, we've got more from owners Peter and Colleen McCarthy about their plans to reopen their popular Eclectic eatery in larger Kendall Square digs. Opening March 1, with a new location of Za next door, the space will accommodate 20 more seats than the old location, and
sports a 15-stool full bar with a greater selection of beers on tap. “It’ll be nice to have a bar that’s not in the middle of the dining
room,” Peter tells the Buzz. There will also be a private dining room, outdoor seating, an
exhibition kitchen and the McCarthys hope to roll out lunch service in
early April (the restaurant was previously dinner-only). Housed in The Watermark apartment building, which is
registered to be LEED-certified, the restaurant will incorporate more eco-friendly touches like compressed, recycled
paper on its tables, while Za will feature an industrial look with reclaimed wood tables.
“It’s two restaurants run independently that have some shared
infrastructure,” says Peter (350 Third St.).

This spring, the temperatures aren't the only thing rising – check out these three openings sure to heat up the Boston food-and-drink scene.

Jacky Robert and Loic LeGarrec, the two Frenchmen who brought us Petit Robert Bistro, will open Chez Jacky, a family-style French bistro later this spring in Brighton's former Zocalo space (1414 Commonwealth Ave.).

Bergamot, a “progressive American” named after the citrus fruit used in Earl Grey tea, will be taking over the old EVOO space in Somerville. The power team behind the restaurant, chef/co-owner Keith Pooler (Harvest, Scampo) and GM/co-owner Servio Garcia (Craigie on Main), are aiming to open its doors mid-March (118 Beacon St.).

Finally, Rebecca Roth (The Biltmore Bar & Grille) will be taking over the South End space that was previously Sage to create what sounds like another great pub, The Gallows. No opening date has been set yet (1395 Washington St.).

Debuting next week in the up-and-coming Mount Vernon Square neighborhood is Kushi, a Japanese izakaya serving simply seasoned, charcoal-grilled skewers of meats and vegetables, accompanied by sushi and fashionable drinks – think exclusive small-batch sakes, shochus and Japanese microbrews on tap; its lofty, industrial space sports polished steel, reclaimed woods and trendy pendant lighting, with huge sake casks and calligraphy adding intriguing decor touches (465 K St. NW; 202-682-3123).

Returning to London after an eight-year sojourn in Australia, esteemed chef Bruno Loubet has landed at Bistrot Bruno Loubet in Clerkenwell’s trendy Zetter Hotel, offering a pricey menu featuring modern twists on his trademark gutsy bistro cooking – think hot pots, snails and game; the curved dining room is flooded in natural light and sprinkled with rustic design touches.

86-88 Clerkenwell Rd. EC1M; 020-7324-4455

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Beckoning one and all from its location opposite Putney Rail Station, the ‘drinkery and eating house’ Citizen Smith shares its name with a ’70s television comedy about a South London socialist, and the booze and food that it offers is fittingly revolutionary for the area, with an admirable selection of affordable cocktails, wines, U.K. and U.S. beers and creative thin-crust pizzas baked in a stone oven; as for the decor, the reddish boudoir lighting, arty murals and nooks and crannies call to mind the bar from Cheers as reimagined by Dita Von Teese.

106 Putney High St., 020-8780-2235

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There’s much to choose at Doma, a tranquil, Zen-infused BYO in Logan Square, where the midpriced menu mixes Japanese specialties (uni appetizers, bento boxes), Korean staples (kimchi, kalbi) and combinations of the two – bibimbop rolls, anyone?; the staff is well-versed in the copious varieties of sushi prepared by two chefs working the counter.

1822 Callowhill St.; 215-564-1114

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Garces Trading Company, the latest concept from Jose Garces, combines a cafe, a wine shop and a grocery store all under one roof in Wash West’s Western Union Building; patrons can dine casually in a center seating area or browse the cases for charcuterie, oils, coffee, bread and prepared foods for take-out.

1111 Locust St.; 215-574-1099

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