Way back in February we heard that the Slanted Door’s Charles Phan was ramping up a new restaurant project at Pier 3, next door to The Plant Cafe, that was going to be New Orleans-inspired. Today the Chron brings word of the restaurant’s name: Hard Water. Phan is aiming for an opening next month, in December, and it will be a first for Phan in terms of a non-Asian concept. It will also mark Phan’s eighth business in the city, including his two locations of Out the Door, the upcoming cafe at the SFJAZZ center on Franklin, Wo Hing General Store, Heaven’s Dog, and The Moss Room.
Here’s what we know about the project, beyond the theme:
There will be a canoe: Designer Olle Lundberg is using a canoe from his personal collection for inspiration, so we’re expecting wood paneling. Maybe oars.
There will be cocktails: Bar manager Erik Adkins (who’s just been working on a side project called the Bull Valley Roadhouse in Port Costa) is taking his inspiration from the 1937 cocktail tome Famous New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ‘Em by Stanley Arthur. And the focus will be on whiskey.
The place will be small: It’s only 1,300 square feet, so don’t expect anything of Slanted Door proportions.
We’ll update you as soon as we can scare up more menu details.
Tony Gemignani’s Capo’s to have old-school vibe [Chron]
Earlier: Charles Phan to Open New Orleans Bar/Restaurant on Embarcadero
