Street

Street is a neighborhood restaurant serving New American Cuisine, boutique wines and a full complement of alcoholic beverages.

Designed and built by owners Lynn Ramsey and John Lamkin, along with help from friends, Street occupies the space that previously housed Sweet Heat, a Mexican fast food restaurant. The space was almost entirely gutted and rebuilt after Sweat Heat closed in December 2000. All elements of design were conceived by the partners--from the Babinga wood bar to the handmade light fixtures created by chef /owner John Lamkin. Supplemented by custom wood and metal, Lamkin's pet red wall with textured green accent dominates the space and warms the room with an organic quality that complements the opposing poured cement wall.

The open kitchen, with Lamkin at the helm, produces a broad array of home-style foods from around the world. The notion is that of a dining experience on any street of any city worldwide depending on the dish one is served. Pacific Rim, Mediterranean, Pan-Latin, and especially American classic cuisine comprise the starters, entrees and desserts that change daily. Lamkin prides himself on the house-made artisan breads, sausages, pates, smoked meats and fish, and desserts.

The highest quality raw ingredients are the cornerstone of Street. Over the last two decades, Lamkin and Ramsey have developed a network of local farmers, ranchers, cheesemakers and fishermen that provide the components for daily fare. In addition, they can be found gathering ingredients at the many bay area farmer's markets several times a week or picking peaches and tomatoes on a delta farm or apples from a Sierra foothill orchard. When not spending long hours at the restaurant, Ramsey and Lamkin enjoy snow skiing or relaxing at their family cabin in the Sierra.

As 20-year residents in the upper Polk Street neighborhood where Street is located, John and Lynn felt they had a specific idea of what was lacking there. Offering a dining experience that they had personally desired has helped them develop a loyal neighborhood customer base.