Ex-Top Chef Player (and Circa Chef) Erik Hopfinger Resurfaces at Brunch
What happens to former Top Chef contestants when the memory of their last elimination challenge has faded into some bitter barstool tale of judges' prejudice and shitty luck? In the case of ex-Circa chef Erik Hopfinger, they eventually hunker down making Benedicts. For the past month or so, the Top Chef Season Four contestant has been masterminding weekend brunch at the AT&T-proximate Nova Bar and Restaurant (555 Second St. at Brannan).
Mary Ladd Then-Circa chef Hopfinger at the SF Chefs. Food. Wine. opening party in August.
In late September, Hopfinger became a casualty of the ownership change at Circa (2001 Chestnut at Fillmore). His cooking, however, goes on and on, via Nova's brunch menu (served 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat-Sun), tagged "Hoppy's Brunch." It's scrawled with Hopfinger's comfort-food signatures, circa Circa: fruit cobbler French toast, spicy chicken wings, over-the-top mac 'n' cheese, tomato soup with mini grilled cheese. Plan on nothing more taxing than iced tea and salad for the rest of the day because, clearly, you'll leave uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, recent Top Chef ejectee Laurine Wickett is behind the range at Coffee Bar (1890 Bryant at 17th St.) this Saturday, Nov. 7, and next Tuesday, Nov. 10, for a three-course prix fixe ($35, $55 with wine pairings). Check out the menu and seating times here. But act fast, since, well, unlike revenge, Top Chef glory is best served up hot.
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