Bar Bambino Announces Two Staff Promotions – Pastry Chef and GM

Alyce Shields promoted to Pastry Chef and Margot Bloch promoted to General Manager

September 9, 2010 – San Francisco, CA – Christopher Losa, Proprietor and Wine Director of Bar Bambino, one of the San Francisco Chronicle’s “Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants” three years running and one of Bon Appetit Magazine’s “Top 10 Wine Bars” in the United States, announces two key staff promotions.

Alyce Shields
As a child, Alyce Shields discovered her passion for baking while spending time in the kitchen with her grandmother baking for friends and family in the Texas Hill County. She landed her first job in a professional kitchen at age sixteen. She completed a series of pastry stages in Manhattan including five-months at Café Boulud. Alyce then moved to Napa where she became the Viennoiserie chef at St. Helena’s Model Bakery.

It wasn’t too long after that Alyce moved to San Francisco, lured by the food and wine scene. Starting at Noe Valley’s Firefly Restaurant and Waterbar , she soon joined Bar Bambino one year ago. “Alyce’s immediate attitude and know-how of our mission, concept and execution is incredible. It has been a great, natural progression for her and us,” says Losa.

Some of her current dolci available at Bar Bambino are late summer panna cotta, pluot almond cake with Sangiovese sauce, and French Bourbon vanilla gelato with crushed lavender, olive oil, and sea salt. Alyce will also be running the pastry program for “Pronto by Bar Bambino” at the new Oberlin Dance Collective (ODC) Theater in the Mission opening early next year. In addition to café treats, Alyce will expand the current program to include breakfast pastries such as croissants, muffins and sweet brioche.

Margot Bloch
Before Bar Bambino, Margot worked in social policy in Washington, D.C. proceeded by work in Buenos Aires to help with workforce development programs. Argentina’s vivacious food and wine culture inspired Margot to move to California to see what San Francisco had to offer. She joined Bar Bambino in late 2008, initially working as a host. Margot was quickly promoted from hostess to server to Operations Assistant then Floor Manager and this summer became General Manager. “From the minute I met Margot she was incredibly passionate about food, wine, and service. Understanding our business and fine dinning service is natural for her. She is intelligent, a quick learner and, most importantly, cares deeply for each guest and their experience. I can’t say enough about what an amazing job she has done,” says Losa.

About Bar Bambino
Nestled on an edgy urban block of San Francisco’s Mission District lies Bar Bambino, a neighborhood eatery that brings simple, elegant food and wine to the table in a convivial gathering spot. Inspired by years living in Europe, owner Christopher Losa has created a restaurant the San Francisco Chronicle has hailed as “a true oasis with a sexy, speakeasy vibe”. Embracing the idea that life is better around the table, Bar Bambino offers seasonally inspired Italian classics served in an lively and informal, urban atmosphere. Featuring locally and sustainably sourced produce and meats, house-made pastas, and inspired desserts, Executive Chef Elizabeth Binder demonstrates a thorough knowledge of regional Italian cuisine while her understated touch brings a lightness and elegance to traditional recipes. Opened in April 2007, Bar Bambino has garnered local and national accolades, repeatedly named as a San Francisco Chronicle Top 100 restaurant and as one of Bon Appetit Magazine’s Top 10 Wine Bars in the nation.
For more information and reservations please call Bar Bambino at 415/701 VINO (8466) or email info@barbambino.com For media inquiries, interviews or information, please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415/701 9463.