Americano Restaurant & Bar Crafts Three Signature Premium Wines

Hotel Vitale’s Landmark Restaurant Teams up with Community Winery Crushpad To Develop Wines for Ultimate Food and Wine Pairing Experience

SAN FRANCISCO (February, 2006) – Many restaurants put considerable thought and expense into their wine programs, but few go to the extra effort to craft their very own wines – Americano Restaurant & Bar has done just that with the help of San Francisco-based community winery Crushpad.

Americano will release the “Dreamer” 2004 Las Madres Vineyard Syrah from Mendocino in late September 2006, followed by two additional single vineyard “Dreamer” 2005 Syrahs –Thompson and Whitehawk from Santa Barbara county – in September 2007. In an effort to provide guests with the definitive restaurant wine experience, Americano’s general manager and executive chef were involved in every aspect of the winemaking process from sourcing the grapes to selecting the length of fermentation and barrel types to blending and label design.

“Chef Paul Arenstam and I are both very passionate about wine and Crushpad gave us the unique opportunity to craft wines that perfectly complement the style of cuisine we serve at Americano,” explains Morgan Plant, general manager of Americano. “This is more than just putting our name on a winery’s third or fourth label wine; we have invested considerable time and money into this project and are proud to offer these premium wines to our customers.”

Each of the three customized wines will complement Americano’s menu of rustic-Italian influenced Northern California cuisine in distinct ways. The 2005 Thompson Syrah is delicate, restrained, and complex to complement subtle dishes, where the 2005 Whitehawk Syrah will be bolder and more fruit forward, pairing well with flavorful dishes. The restaurant’s first release, the 2004 Las Madres Vineyard Syrah features dark fruit, mild French oak expression of vanilla and cardamom, and medium acidity. This timeless, year-round charmer will balance with the flavorful and rustic style of Americano’s cuisine and will complement a wide variety of dishes including Pumpkin and Pancetta Baker’s Pie with Roasted Sugar Pie Pumpkin Crema, Beet Greens, Crispy Pancetta and Caramelized Onions and Roasted Venison Saddle with Celery Root Gratin, Baby Mustard Greens and Meyer Lemon Mustarda.

“We saw this as a great opportunity to position Americano as not only a serious restaurant for food, but as a serious restaurant for wine,” said Executive Chef Paul Arenstam. “We think our customers, who are as passionate about food and wine as we are, will appreciate the extra effort we’ve gone to in order to create a perfectly tailored dining experience.”

The name and label design for the “Dreamer” collection reflects one of the restaurant’s most unique interior design features. In the creation of the restaurant’s name, Americano was derived as reminiscent of a post-World War II time when so many around the world dreamed of a better life in America. Gaze at the ceiling while dining at Americano Restaurant and discover life-sized portraits of four “Americano Dreamers.” Each wine label in the “Dreamer” series will feature a different portrait. The wines will retail for approximately $15/glass or $60/bottle and will be available exclusively at Americano.

Americano Restaurant & Bar is located at 8 Mission Street at Hotel Vitale. All major credit cards are accepted. Breakfast hours are Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Brunch is available on weekends from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch hours are Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner hours are Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The bar is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to last call. For more information, please visit www.americanorestaurant.com. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (415) 278-3700, or by visiting www.opentable.com.

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Gayot.com

SAN FRANCISCO (May, 2005) – Hotel Vitale, a modern urban retreat situated along the reinvigorated Embarcadero, house one of the hottest restaurants in town with a menu designed by prolific restauranteur Pascal Rigo. The setting is as impressive as the hotel itself, featuring antique pine and leather accents that evoke the feel of an exclusive hunting lodge. In a touch of whimsey, life-sized images of immigrants who've made their mark on San Francisco watch diners from the ceiling, eerily evocative of the portraits at Disney's Haunted House. Americano's menu utilizes fresh ingredients from the nearby Ferry Plaza Farmer's Marketplace and focuses on Northern California-influenced cuisine. Standouts include a simple but spectacular green garlic broth with grilled peasant bread, shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano and a perfectly runny poached egg; and braised pork "bollito misto," comprised of tender country ribs and unctuous mouthwatering pork belly that arrives with a crackling exterior reminiscent of a gourmet pork rind. The flaky, buttery crust of the baker's apple pie sets it apart from the usual upscale pizza. Our selection---topped with mozerella, roasted wild mushrooms, sage and shaved black truffles--was heavenly and slightly addictive. For dessert, don't miss the fried zeppole, served with warm chocolate-pistachio dipping sauce.

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Chip Conley and Chef Paul Arenstam Join Forces To Open Americano Restaurant & Bar in San Francisco

Beautiful Waterfront Location Across from Ferry Building Delights Locals and Visitors

SAN FRANCISCO (May 2005) -- Hotelier Chip Conley, founder and CEO of the Joie de Vivre boutique hotel company, and Executive Chef Paul Arenstam have partnered together to open Americano Restaurant & Bar at the corner of Mission and the Embarcadero. Americano Restaurant & Bar, which opened on March 14, enjoys a spectacular location along San Francisco’s waterfront across from the historic Ferry Building and the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market.

“The combination of Paul’s innovative approach and the restaurant’s striking interiors and Bay views has made Americano Restaurant & Bar an enticing new destination restaurant for discerning San Franciscans and visitors alike,” said Conley.

Americano Restaurant & Bar focuses on a northern Californian cuisine with a rustic Italian sensibility, presenting creative interpretations of Italian classics using fresh ingredients from the local San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Marketplace and a variety of Bay Area artisan producers. Chef Arenstam, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, worked at such illustrious restaurants as Fennel in Santa Monica and Patina in Los Angeles before moving to San Francisco to cook at Rubicon, where he fell in love with the Bay Area’s bounty of fresh, seasonal produce. After opening his own restaurant, Belon, to glowing reviews, Paul went on to become executive chef of the Grand Café.

Highlights from the seasonal menu include Pizza "Margarita," made with Fontina, Nopales, Jalapeno and Lime; Pappardelle with Slow Braised Rabbit “Ragu”, Braised Escarole and Salsa Verde; Roasted Natural Chicken Breast with Corn and Salted Caramel Flan; and for dessert Ice Cream Sandwich “Neapolitan”: Layers of Chocolate, Raspberry and Vanilla Gelati topped with Baked Italian Meringue.

Americano Restaurant & Bar represents the second endeavor undertaken by Conley, founder and CEO of the highly successful Joie de Vivre boutique hotel company, and Pascal Rigo, Bay Area restaurateur and co-owner of Bay Breads, who joined Conley two years ago with the critically-acclaimed Cortez Restaurant at the Hotel Adagio and partnered on the development and execution of Americano Restaurant & Bar.

Morgan Plant, general manager of Americano Restaurant & Bar, draws from more than a decade of wine knowledge, including training as a sommelier, and experience at top West Coast restaurants such as Mistral and Red Star to create a wine program that focuses on California varietals and rare finds from Italy. An extensive by-the-glass selection complements the eclectic menu. The unique cocktail list also incorporates aperitifs from Italy and around the world.

The restaurant’s décor evinces a sophisticated palette, with antique pine and leather accents evoking a rustic warmth and charm. In the circular cocktail lounge area, touches of bold, vibrant colors, a striking chandelier, and plush seating create a lively atmosphere, all strikingly set off by panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge.

Providing seating for 125 guests, the long, narrow dining room is flanked on one side by an elegant bar with comfortable barstools for single diners and ample seating and standing space. An outdoor patio is open for lunch and nightly cocktails as well as for private receptions for up to 60 guests. Colum McCartan of San Francisco-based interior design firm MCCARTAN has made extensive use of natural materials to create a comfortably elegant setting with a modern sensibility.

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Media contacts: Courtney Vaughn, Glodow Nead Communications at (415) 394-6500 or courtney@glodownead.com.