Tuesday tidbits - a mini review of Outerlands and more

July 7, 10:21 AMSF Restaurant ExaminerDina Brooks

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It is said that the former Range and Serpentine chef makes soup that warms the soul

Outerlands, owned by Lana Porcello and David Muller, has received favorable nods from the New York Times and San Francisco Chronicle recently so we decided to stop in for brunch on Sunday.  The space is small but inviting and the people are friendly.  You get the sense when you walk into this place that it was carefully thought out and built with love by the husband and wife duo, from the driftwood lined walls to the brief menu which changes often.  While I hate to say it, we weren't blown away by the food we sampled.  We selected a savory Dutch pancake with bacon ($8) and a Dutch pancake with carmelized apples ($8) which were like eating dull Yorkshire pudding yearning for something more to impart flavor.  My baked eggs ($7) with rosemary and parmesan should probably have been cooked a little less to avoid having the yolk become dry and hard.  A small green salad that accompanied the eggs was doused in mouth-puckeringly sour dressing, we could only take a couple of bites.  House made levain and bacon were nice, both were chewy and satisfying.  They don't brew coffee on the weekends so they sent my husband to purchase some at a coffeeshop a couple doors down.  Our orange juice was served a modest third of the way full in Mason jars.  Despite our lackluster brunch, we realize that we missed out on their soups and macaroni and cheese which are a couple of the must-try items here.  So, the jury is out until we have a chance to try lunch and dinner.  Outerlands.  4001 Judah at 45th Avenue.  415.661.6140.                                             

Be sure to head to the Ferry Plaza and nibble your way through the Thursday street food market which kicked off last week.  Some of the tasty treats available between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. are chipotle chicken and Coca-Cola braised short rib tacos from Tacolicious, rotisserie roast beef sandwiches from Roli Roti, and pies from Pizza Politana.  Joining the pack this week are dogs, chicharrones and peanut butter-bacon brownies from Ryan Farr's 4505 Meats.  1 Ferry Building.  For more information, go here.

The Castro's Home has a new executive chef, Jim Wimborough, who used to head up the kitchen at Evvia in Palo Alto and has worked in well known spots such as Kokkari, Grand Cafe, Boulevard and Rubicon.  A combination of Wimborough's new rustic dishes and Home's classic comfort food are on the summer menu now.  Home.  2100 Market Street at Church.  415.503.0333.

Joining Belden Place's eclectic restaurant row is Trademark Grill which opened yesterday for lunch.  Sharing company with the likes of Plouf, B44 and Cafe Bastille, The Elite Cafe sibling serves contemporary American fare conjured up by executive chef Jerry Mendoza.  Trademark.  56 Belden Place.  415.397.8800.  Hours:  Lunch:  Monday - Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Dinner:  Monday - Thursday, 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.; Friday - Saturday, 5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.  "Closing Bell Happy Hour", Monday - Friday, 2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.  $1 oysters and other food and drink specials.

"Breathtakingly high ceilings and majestic white columns" greet visitors at Five in the newly remodelled Hotel Shattuck Plaza in Downtown Berkeley.  Executive chef Scott Howard and chef de cuisine Bob Simontacchi have created a menu that is focused on local, sustainable and organic ingredients, so you can feel good about dining here.  The restaurant and lounge are open seven days a week.  Five.  2086 Allston Way, Berkeley.  510.845.7300.

The guys behind Bourbon & Branch now bring you Rickhouse -  named after the  barrels in which bourbon is stored and aged - that soft opened on Wednesday.  You will find only fresh juices, natural sugars and local produce in their lovely libations.  Rickhouse.  246 Kearny Street at Sutter.  415.398.2827.

To celebrate its 50th Anniversary, Round Table Pizza will give you a medium, one-topping pizza for just 50 cents when you order a large or extra-large pie.  Founded in Menlo Park in 1959 by Bill Larson, Round Table now has over 500 franchised and company-owned locations in the western United States.  Price and participation may vary, check your local restaurant for details.

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