By Carrie Seidman

I guess it's just a sign of the times, but I have to admit I felt a twinge of sadness when I drove by Bob's Fish and Chips Downtown, just east of the Artichoke Cafe, and noticed a real estate sign out front today. It was only a matter of time, I suppose, before the EDO revolution gobbled up the dingy, old school former drive-in which, admittedly, had seen much better days. Still, it was always comforting to know you could eschew the new wave of hot, hip and pricier restaurants in the area and satisfy your hunger for a couple bucks with some "planks" and fries, or a foot-long hot dog. Even if you had to eat it sitting on the picnic table in the run-down parking lot. Now I'm going to have to go to Sonic for my downscale food lusts...

Meanwhile, having met with Mark Curran, formerly of Larkspur restaurant in Vail and the new chef at Scalo (stay tuned for a Chef's Sampler feature on him in the Trib Aug. 18), I learned of another tres chic eaterie, due to open in September. (It's a joint venture of several partners, including Curran and Steve Paternoster, Scalo's owner.) It will be located in Nob Hill in the former Stella Blue (Dartmouth and Central NE) and called La Provence. The menu will be traditional French brasserie -- mussels, sole meuniere, steak frites, etc. -- with a beer and wine menu to complement. "It's the kind of place I'd like to go to when I get off work," says Curran, who recently moved here with his wife and four (!) children. By the way, Curran, who's devoted to seasonal cooking, has made quite a few changes in Scalo's menu -- and plans more. Check it out.

Posted by Carrie Seidman at 02:02 PM | Permalink