OTD Bush Street throws a neighborhood party

Charles Phan did the neighborly thing and invited Fillmore District residents in Thursday night for a first look at his newest San Francisco venture -- OTD Bush Street. (Previously, we referred to it as Out the Door.)

Under any name, the space has a good feel. It is urban and sophisticated, not unlike his Slanted Door at the Ferry Building, though in a significantly smaller space.

Despite being small, the space at 2232 Bush St. has an openness brought about by the minimalist design and furnishings. The long eastern wall is light wood wainscot, and the back wall is simple ceramic tiling, as is the floor.

The food was phenomenal. Waiters worked the room steadily plying the guests with trays full of succulent, bite-sized samples and the sauces to go with them. Among the offerings were a deliciously doughy pork-filled dumpling, a veggie spring roll with a big shot of mint and a small shot of peanut sauce, sweet bacon quiche and a shrimp and pork eggroll.

What caught the biggest attention of our eyes -- and our palates -- were the lamb lollipops. Lamb chops grilled and flavored with a distinct honey-hoisin barbecue sauce that lingered nicely after the dishes were cleared.

Chef de Cuisine is Grace Nguyen, who has moved over from a role at Slanted Door. She will be serving breakfast (including a duck egg dish that I can't wait to try), lunch and dinner.

It was a glorious party, the first of several introductory gatherings and one that set the tone for OTD becoming a destination establishment in the Fillmore District. Official opening is next Thursday (Oct. 1).

Working through the three dozen

A few morsels from the pleasant task of eating our way through the list of more than three dozen restaurants along and near Fillmore Street in our San Francisco neighborhood.

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Does anything surpass the mini-baguette sandwiches at La Boulange on Pine Street? OK, the full-sized baguettes themselves, but for a light lunch, go for a mini.

The BLTs we had at mid-day on Friday came straight from the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears: They were just right!

The baguette itself had the perfect crust. The tomatoes were fresh and lettuce crisp. And what substance on Earth beats bacon for flavor?

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An encounter with Charles Phan in the mist late Saturday afternoon secured a first-person status report on his newest Out the Door restaurant location.

Phan said the much-awaited eatery at 2232 Bush St. will open in "a month" in the storefront on which he has been working for quite a while.

Seeing my reaction, Phan piqued the anticipation by adding: "We will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner."

We knew that, but hearing it from Phan himself made it real.

What will the genius behind the acclaimed Slanted Door offer for breakfast, Vietnamese style?

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Many say Massimo, and not the Italian food from his kitchen, is the show at Via Veneto, 2244 Fillmore St. We have had better Italian right in the neighborhood, but Via Veneto was good enough that we will return.

Our first experience was for Saturday lunch, a time quiet enough for good conversation and a relaxing meal. The grilled salmon at the center of the seafood salad special was cooked just right, retaining its moistness and flavor. The prosciutto in the focaccia was sweet and savory, just the way it should be.

The server was attentive without hovering. We'll be back, having eyed the lengthy list of pasta selections and being easy marks for a well-made alfredo sauce. That will be the true test for us.