Butterflied Jan. 15 was staff post-holiday party night at various restaurants around town, and along with the revelry came the requisite rivalry. But the fisticuffs that occurred between two guests of the kitchen staff at the Le Colonial party was nothing compared to the stabbing of one bystander when a scuffle erupted at Butterfly during its employee bash (shared with that of Marina restaurant Eastside West). The victim, a young man unaffiliated with either restaurant, was released from the hospital the next day. And since the cops couldn't get anyone on the scene to ID the perpetrator, no arrests were made. Harry's suggestion for other local restaurant owners: Perhaps the best way to help employees blow off post-festivity steam is to skip the same old food and libation celebration and kick in with the bonus checks.
V-Day in PJs Haven't secured a plan for the annual love celebration? Consider slipping into pajamas for a little party over at the Lord of Balls Lounge at Dot Restaurant. If you know anything about owner Nicholas Graham (the founder of Joe Boxer), you know you can expect a real negligee soiree. To balance the mayhem, chef Noel Pavia will offer menus de amore with courses divided into categories such as "Amuse," "Romance," and "Impassion." The night includes some less edible offerings, including Joe Boxer loungewear and so-called "intimacy packets" (Harry doesn't even want to think about what's included in those).
A calmer, clothing-required option would be a bay view table at Lapis, where chef Thomas Ricci is offering three prix fixe menus, including a vegetarian tasting menu for those trying to remain svelte for their sweeties. Personally, Harry plans to grab a bottle of wine, some fresh-cooked crab, and a loaf of sourdough, then head to the end of the pier at Fort Point to watch the sunset with his hottie.
Market Value For a second there Harry was worried he'd have to find a new spot to eavesdrop on the city's largest population of drunk tourists. But no worries. The Buena Vista Cafe may be changing ownership, but it will still serve its famous Irish coffees and draw visitors from far-flung locales. Bay Area restaurant entrepreneur Robert Freeman (California Cafe), who purchased the BV from Kansas City-based Houlihan's restaurant group on Jan. 10, said, "It's the classic "If it's not broken, don't fix it' situation."
Across town, Infusion Bar and Restaurant owner Rob Robinson flinched when his five-year lease came up for renewal in January with a $50K increase attached. Still, Robinson feels that the price is a deal, given the still-booming Second Street location. Harry bets that the restaurant's life span will be longer than that of many of its dot-com neighbors.
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