Thanks to @olidreamer, we got tipped off that there might be an Italian restaurant and wine bar moving into the old Hama-Ko location on Carl Street. Hama-Ko, a delicious hole-in-the-wall sushi restaurant, closed it's doors fall 2012 and it has been vacant ever since. Recently, we saw some parchment paper go up on the windows which is a good sign that someone has rented it out and is starting to do construction. Hard to imagine how a new restaurant would look because it is such a small space. If anyone has any other information about what might this storefront be (more specifics), please mention us on Twitter, use the #colevalley, and let us know!

UPDATE: We now have gotten confirmation that there will indeed be a new Italian wine bar opening into the old Hama-Ko location on Carl Street. Perbacco's long-time wine director, Claudio Villani, is going off on his own to open a “contemporary enoteca” called InoVino. The small 30-seat spot will be going into 108 Carl Street —right across the street from the now ridiculously popular Padrecito. Villani says his inspiration for the business comes from this friendly, well-known Florentine panini spot called ‘ino. Villani is going to offer wines from all over the world (Greece, Spain, South America, Italy, France). The price of bottles will range from $25 to $65, and there will be at least 30 wines by the glass for $8 to $15. The menu will consist mostly of cheeses and charcuterie from local and international producers, along with crostini, bruschette, and crudo. Villani will spend next month in Italy for some more inspiration. He plans to open InoVino in July.


Source: SF Magazine

Thanks to our fellow bloggers at Uppercasing, we have gotten the low down on next steps to reinvision the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.

In 2011, the Haight Ashbury Merchant's Association (HAMA), the Haight Ashbury Improvement Association (HAIA), the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council (HANC), and our lovely Cole Valley Improvement Association (CVIA) came together to discuss a new plan for the neighborhood. They wanted to create a more functional and enjoyable neighborhood for both people who live and work in the area, without "gentrifying or altering the character of the neighborhood." You may have seen some parklets and tons more bike racks along Haight, especially near Martin Macks and Haight Street Market. Now, fast forward last night when the neighborhood associations came together to work with Supervisor Olague to further discuss the plans to move forward on the long term project to improve the public spaces along Haight from Central to Stanyan Street. 

Uppercasng spoke with a rep of HAMA that the rep stressed that, "they don't want to turn the Haight into a pedestrian mall or tourist trap. What they want to do is to make it so that 'the street reflects the vibrant community that lives and works in the neighborhood.'" 

Below is a list of some of the improvements the plan will include:

• improved street lights
• decorations for the holidays (think lights on trees, banners, flags, etc)
• public art installations (think the side of buildings, and the 'listen to this wall' concept)
• planned street closures (think Sunday Streets, fairs, neighborhood events)

Tentatively, the goal for completion for this  plan is envisioned for the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, aka 2017. 

If you want to get involved and come to one of the community meetings, the next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 24th from 6-7:30pm at Urban School. The HAMA "urge you to 'share your ideas for how the neighborhood's streets and sidewalks function and how to make them more enjoyable, safe, and convenient for residents, workers, and visitors.'"



Blog adapted from Uppercasing's article, "More Details on the Haight Ashbury Improvement Plans."