Opened on August 16, Bar Agricole is the new kid on the block of the San Francisco restaurant scene.
Bay area veteran Thad Vogler brought together a winning team with Wine Director Mark Ellenbogen, Chef Brandon Jew, Bar Manager Eric Johnson, and Manager Andreas Willausch.
Jon Bonne took a close look at Mark Ellenbogen's wine list for Inside Scoop SF on August 17.
In a nutshell, Jon Bonne shares that "rather than be sprawling, Ellenbogen has hand-picked set of small producers who make wine in traditional, minimalist ways, often relying on organic or biodynamic farming. Each producer is represented with several wines on the list, so what the list lacks in sprawling breadth — 20 gazillion Rieslings by the glass — it compensates for in depth."
Wines are from California, France, Spain, Italy, and Austria. Four to seven wines from each estate will be offered.
Mark also wears the 'forager' hat for the restaurant and as such "visits farms from the Central Valley to Mendocino, where he works directly with farmers planning what is raised for Bar Agricole. He also grows herbs and flowers in the tavern¹s front garden."
The name Bar Agricole was inspired by Rhum Agricole from French Caribbean Islands so cocktails are part of the mix.
To keep it local they have worked with homegrown producers to create custom distillates, including a farmhouse Curaçao, Biodynamic brandies and California pure cane rum.
You find these California goods in the Petit Zinc (farmhouse vodka, oj, red vermouth, farmhouse curaçao) and Jersey Sour (California brandy, lemon, apple, maple, aromatic bitters).
I also noted 2 Armagnac based cocktails including Capitan Cocktail (Armagnac Blanc, aromatic bitters and chinato). All these fairly priced at $8.
Foodwise, eggs, chicken and lamb come from Heart Arrow Ranch part of Golden Vineyards near Ukiah while farmhouse spirits, fruit and nuts are from Marian Farms in Fresno. Both farms are byodynamic certified.
One of the dishes where that natural fare found its way is the Roasted Leg of Lamb (pictured below).
Location, location, location, Bar Agricole is at 355 Eleventh St in SoMa (between Harrison and Folsom) in the former warehouse for the Jackson Brewery, circa 1900, building is on The National Register of Historic Places.
2 things I like most about the design are the skylights by Nikolas Weinstein Studios (below) and urbanscapes by San Francisco photographer Thomas Winz behind the bar.
Currently Bar Agricole is opened daily from 6Pm to 1 AM.
This modern tavern seats 15 at the bar and 72 in dining room.
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