Partners Michael Bilger, Executive Chef, and Evin Gelleri, Business and General Manager, are aiming for a late-August opening for their new venture, Sessions at the Presidio in San Francisco.
Construction is underway, overseen by Lundberg Design, and a new entrance to the 3500 square foot space has been built into the Presidio landscape at the Chestnut & Lyon Street gate.
The concept for Sessions, rooted in Bilger and Gelleri’s shared interest in the craft beer movement, is gaining steam as they have just announced that Master Cicerone Nicole Erny will craft the beer program at Sessions. Nicole is the fourth Master Cicerone and the first woman to earn the title, a difficult, exam-based certification akin to master sommelier. Currently there are only 9 Master Cicerones in the world.
Nicole’s passion for craft beer began when she started sampling beer from the rapidly growing Bay Area beer scene and also from home brewing between study sessions while at college. An Oakland Native, she attributes growing up in the Bay Area to her fascination with flavor. While working at the well-known beer hall, The Trappist, Nicole immersed herself in the study of all things brewed and fermented.
She became a Certified Cicerone in 2009, and achieved the Master designation 2 short years later. She now works with bars, restaurants and breweries to bring the best possible beers to thirsty customers. Nicole’s mastery has not gone unnoticed. In 2013 she made the “40 under 40: America’s Tastemakers” in Wine Enthusiast Magazine as well as Zagat’s 2012 “30 Under 30 San Francisco.”
Nicole will bring enthusiasm and education to staff and customers alike. Nicole says the aim of the program is not just to cater to beer geeks, but also to provide a variety of interesting beers for every palate, ranging from delightfully accessible to deliciously esoteric. Sessions’ list will feature 24 rotating taps which will also include some ciders, nitro beers and of course, a good sampling of “sessionable” beer styles. The bottle list, which will round out the total offerings to around 100, will be focused around spectacular larger formats (22 oz and 750ml), intended to be shared by the table as a part of the convivial “Session.”
Bilger and Gelleri also emphasize that while craft beer will be a focal point, equally important will be Bilger’s cuisine, as well as the craft cocktail and wine lists– the Full Monty.
Located just inside the Chestnut Street gate to the Presidio, the space will have indoor and outdoor seating, as well as private dining options. Sessions at the Presidio will be open daily for lunch and dinner and Saturday and Sunday brunch. Visit them online at www.SessionsSF.com, SessionsSF on Facebook and @SessionsSF on Twitter and Instagram.
Note: The above was taken directly from an official press release
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