A.G. Ferrari Foods Closes For Major Revamp

A.G. Ferrari Foods Closes For Major RevampPhoto: Roy McKenzie/Hoodline
Roy
Published on September 23, 2014
When reader Doug P. tipped us off to the fact that A.G. Ferrari Foods, the Italian specialty grocer at 468 Castro Street, had closed, we headed down there posthaste to investigate. As it turns out, the grocer has only closed temporarily, with all Bay Area locations of the specialty foods shop shutting down in preparation for a grand reopening later this month.
A.G. Ferrari specializes in imported Italian food and ingredients including pasta, chocolate, olive oil, cheese, cookies, wine, salami and more. Their Castro location includes a deli that serves freshly prepared soups, salads and pasta dishes, and the shop is also host to regular wine tastings.

A new sign in the window teases the new concept thusly: "A.G. Ferrari. Progressive Italian. Coming Soon." We reached out to the company to learn more, and a representative responded to let us know that customers "can expect a fundamentally different customer experience, with changes including updated store designs, an entirely new menu, an elevated wine program and the introduction of an in-house chef and new leadership team."

The grocer's new management team has brought on Chef Ira Meyer (Woodlands Market, Draeger's) to curate a fresh menu of specialty goods and prepared foods like salads, sides, flatbreads, entrees, hot and cold sandwiches and desserts. 

The new menu will include sandwich options that cover a broad range of Italian deli items, from roast pork loin to prosciutto and burrata to a turkey, fig jam and ricotta option. Salads will change seasonally, and there will also be a selection heartier dishes on offer, such as baked ricotta and beef meatballs, chicken cacciatore and more. 

In addition to the new food menu, A.G. Ferrari has brought in sommelier and wine consultant Tim Baumann (formerly an A16 somm) to enhance the grocer's wine list, with special attention paid to wines that pair well with food.

Here what CEO Jarett Peppard has to say about the upcoming changes:

"This is an exciting time for A.G. Ferrari. This 'grand opening' event will showcase the culmination of our efforts to reinvigorate this historic brand. We are unveiling a fundamentally different customer experience. Everything from the food to the service will change. Our goal is to offer an enhanced neighborhood market-café feel with an emphasis on quality to-go items in addition to an exciting and broad selection of imported goods from dedicated Italian purveyors."

The new A.G. Ferrari is expected to reopen later this month, so stay tuned for updates shortly.