Yield Wine Bar, 2490 3rd Street, Dogpatch, San Francisco

Have you ever been to Dogpatch?

Nov 2006 Yield Update Link

Yield to your curiosity. Dogpatch is an upcoming neighbourhood that is begging to be checked out.

Some of my favourite people are forward thinking enough to live in the lesser known San Francisco neighbourhood called Dogpatch, nestled at the bottom of Potrero Hill towards the Bay. Vinny of Chicken Scarpelli fame lives here, Jeanne of 615 Project is fashionable in these parts, Brian does Industrial Works here, including building the interior of Farmer Browns. My favourite charcuterie makers have their kitchen in Dogpatch and, last but not least, this very blog is created here, too. Dogpatch is home to myself and Fred.

We are usually met with blank stares when we tell a San Franciscan that we live in Dogpatch. It's true that this largely Industrial area is not that well known. But there are several reasons why it deserves to be on the map: Brunch at Just For You which I love a little more every time I go there, appeals to a wider demographic than just the neighbours. Who hasn't spent a lazy Sunday afternoon at The Ramp with live music and gorgeous views of the water? Our lifesaver - Moshi Moshi comes through when we have no food in the house with their neighbourhood sushi or the 'Fred Special' - gyoza followed by pork chop salad. Dogpatch Saloon is a unique, must-try experience for listening to Sunday afternoon Jazz with an eclectic and entertaining audience. Not only that, every year Burning Man celebrate their Decompression Party with an incredible street fair. Don't miss it this year, in just over a week, on October 8th.

Yield is the latest addition to the Dogpatch neigbourhood and we love it. It doesn't hurt that only a couple of blocks walk away we now have a friendly winebar sporting an interesting wine list, made up entirely of biodynamic, organic or sustainable wines. My personal favourite from the current menu is an unusual sparkling, sweet red Gamay from the Savoyard region of France. Scrumptious and far too easy to drink!

We have not been shy about familiarizing ourselves with Yield, which is a plain but inviting space made up of two rooms. The first is lounge-like with low seating, comfy dark brown leather chairs and pale suedette ottomans. Long wooden beams, a little awkwardly set at knee level, once you are in a seated postion, serve as tables on which to rest your glasses or bottle. The other room, soon to be made over with the addition of a fire place, sports a couple of (sometimes wobbly) high tables and accompanying bar stools, great for groups of half a dozen people to get together and catch up over a drink and snack.

Talking of snacks, although Yield is not a food destination, per se, bowls of nuts, olives, chocolate or cheese plates and salad have always been available as something to nibble on alongside the wines. Chris the very friendly manager, has just bought a little oven and added hot flatbreads to the menu on Thursdays through Saturdays which is good news. Although the four cheese topped with prosciutto sounds exactly what would be my immediate first choice, the vegan version with olives, tomatoes, basil and cashew nut cream is, to my surprise, even more delicious. Very tasty indeed.

I am not quite sure how it evolved, but Fred and I are now on first name terms with manager Chris. I guess that's what becomes of becoming a regular at a neighbourhood spot. But even if you are not in the hood, Yield is worth a trip, especially if you are looking for a friendly, unpretentious, uncrowded place to unwind and gossip over a decent glass of wine in a relaxed atmosphere. Plenty of street parking is available, too, for the unenviable designated driver in your group. Maybe some of these good people will weigh in with their first impressions in the comments from a less-local point of view.




PS - yesterday I went to the newly opened Westfield Center where I hoped to sample Tom Colicchio's San Francisco take on 'Wichcraft, but contrary to reports, it wasn't yet open. Intrepid (and newly infamous) reporter, the Bunrab, reports on where we ended up eating instead.

PPS - Thanks to everyone who helped my mum out with ideas for her retirement party buffet a couple of weeks ago. You can read and see pictures of some of the food she rustled up, here.

Further Reading:
Yield, Mapped
The story of Dogpatch
Dogpatch Walking Tour

Archive:
2005 | Nook 1500 Hyde, San Francisco.

Food | Wine Bar | San Francisco | Bay Area | Dogpatch

Yield Wine Bar, 2490 3rd Street, Dogpatch, San Francisco