Former Lisa Hemenway collaborator Suzan Fleissner is preparing to open a new restaurant and bar in downtown Santa Rosa at the former Worth Our Weight space on Third Street. Following up on a tip from a BiteClubber, I hear that Fleissner (a vegetarian) plans to focus the menu around earth and sea — local seafood, produce and mostly meatless fare. No opening date has officially been set, but the hope is that GG’s will be ready for customers by late August or (more likely) September.
…Also from the tip line: Stony Point’s Pho Vietnam has expanded into the vacant next-door restaurant space, mercifully expanding its soup-slurping potential. The insidery pho-fix spot has always been a tight squeeze and the wait for tables can get downright frustrating. Which is why I always call ahead for takeout. But hey, now you’ve got a little more elbow room should you choose to do your spring-roll munching onsite. 711 Stony Point Rd # 8, Santa Rosa – (707) 571-7687.
…After what seems like a ridiculous amount of waiting, Elements Restaurant in Napa is set to open to the public in early September. BiteClub got wind of the restaurant early last spring, but we hear that some permitting issues kept renovations at the former PIzza Azzurro spot from getting the spot open sooner. The restaurant/enoteca has former ZuZu chef Charles Weber in the kitchen and wine and food guy Rich Poliak at the helm. The restaurant is doing a few test runs for friends in late August, so stay tuned. Elements Restaurant and Enoteca, 1400 Second St., Napa.
…Finally, Redhare101 wants to know if there’s anything happening with Cloverdale’s white-napkin restaurant scene. “All my friends would die fora great steak/chop house!!!” he tells BiteClub. I’ve heard nothing. Stark’s Steakhouse north, perhaps?
…Contact me: biteclub AT pressdemo.com