Panam, a Parisian Bistro and Lounge, is Opening in the Castro Next Week

The restaurant occupies the space downstairs from The Café.

​The luxe bar trend that swept through the Castro earlier this year just might be finding its equivalent in eateries. The restaurant space on the ground floor below recently refurbished The Café (2369 Market at 17th St.) is slated to open next week as Panam, a stylish French bistro with an affordable menu that'll dally with global influences. The name is Parisian slang for the French capital, according to owners Mickael Azoulay and Laurent Guillaume, the team behind Chouquet's in Pac Heights and Blush! Wine Bar on nearby Castro Street.

The former Frisee space (2367 Market at 17th St.), which seats 80, will be open for dinner seven days, and offer brunch on weekends. Full bar and, according to an email by a spokesman for the place, "at night, Panam will transform into a hip Castro lounge, with DJs spinning beats from around the world." A glance at Guillaume's preliminary menu suggests a prevalence of chic French comfort foods: frogs' legs persillade, duck ravioli with chanterelles and port-raisin jus, seven-hour baked lamb shoulder with truffled mashed potatoes, and chicken grand-mère stuffed with duxelles and served with braised salsify. The restaurant will also provide nibbles for VIP guests upstairs at The Café.