Cal-Med Aperitif and Tapas Bar La Bande Debuts at San Francisco Proper Hotel

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San Francisco Proper made a splash when it opened its doors in 2017, but the newest edition to the restored 1908 Market Street flatiron is something special. In September, the hotel unveiled its new Cal-Med aperitif and tapas bar, La Bande, on the ground floor adjacent to VIllon restaurant-bar, with both an inspired indoor space and outdoor patio.

Photo credit: Alina Tyulyu

La Bande’s outdoor space evokes the look and feel of the European cafe scene. Echoing Proper’s rooftop bar, Charmaine’s, the street-side eatery celebrates its surroundings while bringing in a brand new energy.

La Bande focuses on gourmet tapas and Galician conservas inspired by the Mediterranean coast, the streets of Barcelona and La Boqueria Market, curated and prepared by executive chef Jason Fox. The craft aperitif cocktails and a vermouth program by BVHospitality features old world wines, European draft beers, and a retail section including a selection of imported European goods. La Bande also features a stunning vertical selection of century old Madeira, a fortified wine from the beautiful island off the coast of Portugal.

Photo credit: Alina Tyulyu

Kelly Wearstler was at the helm of the interior decor located within the landmark Beaux-Arts flatiron building. Inspired by French minimalist artist Daniel Buren, the double-height space is covered in hand-glazed vert tiles punctuated by black and white vertical striping in patterns (the graphic interplay inspired the restaurant’s name, La Bande, which is the French word for “stripe.”).

Additional details include brass, porcelain, cerused wood and natural stone, with carved Italian Cipollino marble and Bauhaus-inspired metal stools at the centerpiece bar.

Photo credit: Alina Tyulyu

Fox, formerly of Michelin-starred Commonwealth, brings a menu of Mediterranean-inspired tapas and small plates menu to La Bande featuring seasonal and house-made ingredients. Following years of frequent trips to Barcelona to visit his brother, Fox developed a menu that invokes the counter service culture found throughout the cafés and bars in Catalonia, offering simple, high quality dishes.

Photo credit: Alina Tyulyu

Some of the location’s standout dishes include Eggplant Tarts, Green Garlic Churros, Squid on the Plancha, Housemade Merguez Sausage, and Little Pigs of Heaven. High-end Spanish seafood conservas such as smoked sardines with olive oil, razor clams in brine, and tuna belly in confit are served with house-made sourdough bread, olive oil and homemade hot sauce, and visitors love the Spanish-inspired pinchos and hand-sliced Pata Negra.

Photo credit: Alina Tyulyu

La Bande’s beverage menu features aperitif cocktails in collaboration with BVHospitality, along with notable Old World wines and draft beers. Cocktails include the Draft Negroni and Special Gin & Tonic Service and the curated wine list features Sohm & Kracher Gruner Veltliner from Weinviertel, Austria; Senorio de P.Pecina Crianza from Rioja, Spain; and Domaine du Pelican Trois Capage Rouge from Jura, France. European beers and ciders on draft include Cuvée des Jacobins Rouge Sour, Saison DuPont Farmhouse Ale and Aval Cider Rose.

Photo credit: Alina Tyulyu
Photo credit: Alina Tyulyu
Photo credit: Alina Tyulyu

La Bande is located at 1100 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. Call 415.735.7777 or visit properhotel.com/hotels/san-francisco for more information.