San Francisco - March 02, 2009

Con Artist

Contigo Restaurant Opens

You’re practically fluent in Spanish. That is, if tongue tango after ten pitchers of sangria makes you a master in the language of love.

Take a lesson in foreign affairs from the folks at Contigo restaurant, opening tomorrow in Noe Valley.

The cozy new joint with its own vegetable and herb garden pays homage to Barcelona, thanks to locally procured Spanish and Catalan-inspired fare.

Pica-pica (nibbles) like oxtail croquetas, larger plates of chorizo burgers, butter beans with pork belly, and slow-roasted duck for two proudly emerge from the sleek stainless steel open kitchen with bar seating. White walls with redwood accents frame tables made partially from salvaged Levi Strauss & Co. factory beams.

Pair imported cavas and sherries with churros con chocolate on the quaint heated back patio.

But no Frenching, por favor.

Contigo, 1320 Castro Street, at 24th Street (415-285-0250 or contigosf.com).