Annals of gentrification: new restaurant on a sketchy block
I was getting my car washed this afternoon at the big car wash on 16th and SVN and decided to find someplace to have a late lunch. When I walked past a brand new luxe restaurant on 16th St., I did a double-take. Here was a prettily designed bistro with tasteful lighting on one of the sketchiest corners in the Mission — just off Capp, across 16th St. from Theatre Rhinocerous — for the first time I can remember in my 25-plus years in the city, a decent restaurant on the block.
The place was called Bar Bambino. It was bereft of customers at 1:30 pm, but a friendly waiter named Jeremy invited me in, showed me around, and got me some lunch. My lunch was simple so I don’t have a big gourmet review to give, but the bruschetta was exquisite, and the pasta was perfectly cooked. The place is nice — just opened a few days ago.
Judging by this excited blog entry on snooty city site 7×7, the bourgeoisie has been salivating about the place. And since I’m usually too intimidated to go into trendy restaurants — I’ve never had the nerve to go into Zuni, for example — I might never have stopped in if the waiter hadn’t invited me in.
So, they’re friendly. The owner’s dad was in there doing handyman work. I’m going back.
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That is nice that there is a “high class” restaurant in the Mission and near the theater.I go to the Mission to eat Mexican and thrift shop at Thrift Town,Community Thrift,and Goodwill.I also hit the dollar stores as they have a better variety than downtown dollar stores do.I have eaten at Zuni and it was nice..I also took my sister and niece to Cocoa 500,Fleur De Lys, Empress of China,Dottie’s,and even down to Original Joes.Have you been to those places? Very nice also,and the tourist’s stand in line outside Dottie’s everyday it is open..it is longer on the weekends.I am all for a new gentrified neighborhood and good food and friendly service.