Marcia Gagliardi

Last week, I had the opportunity to tour and experience a preview meal at LEADER HOUSE, the somewhat mysterious new project opening in the former Payne Mansion on Sutter Street. It’s a beautiful and grand building, built in 1881—perhaps you have attended an event there (it has most…

Due to open on Wednesday December 18th is VERBENA in the former Marbella/Rex Cafe space on Polk. The project is from Berkeley’s Gather team, with chef Sean Baker leading the kitchen. You can look at the contemporary and seasonal California menu here, which has some bites ($5-$7)…

Yesterday I had a chance to swing by the about-to-open PRESIDIO PIZZA COMPANY that’s opening in the former Frankie’s Bohemian Café space, and they had just passed their inspections. Which means this new pizza spot will be opening for business this Thursday December 19th at 11am! I already…

The Lower Haight is getting a new microbrewery, called BLACK SANDS, according to Haighteration. The new venture is from Robert Patterson, co-owner of shops Revolver and Voyager, as well as the Mission’s Ken Ken Ramen. Some brewing friends of Patterson’s will be assisting with the project, and it…

Even though Sebo sadly closed, fans of Michael Black’s talented touch with seafood will be happy to know he’s involved at LOCAL MISSION MARKET as the fishmonger, and he just launched chirazushi (some say “chirashi”) on Mondays and Wednesdays for lunch. You’ll get a serving of “scattered…

We received word that FERRY PLAZA SEAFOOD will be closing their Ferry Plaza Marketplace location on the eve of Sunday December 22nd. They are planning for a late spring/early summer 2014 opening at their new location at 653 Union Street, where construction has already begun. Castro Biscuit caught the…

This is some very sad news: Bob Kantor, the founder and owner of MEMPHIS MINNIE’S, has passed away. He apparently died of a heart attack while scuba diving with his wife in the Caribbean last Monday, so tragic. Minnie’s Facebook page has the announcement, and Haighteration has a…

For those of you who remember the amazing Meetinghouse biscuits from years ago, the talented maker of them, Joanna Karlinsky, has been going through a rough time lately. Yeah, the big C tried to take her down in the form of a very rare and usually fatal sarcoma on her…

With the holiday season upon us, we’re all enjoying a lot of little luxuries and some culinary excess. But it’s also a good time to remember how fortunate we are, and to think about passing on some of our bounty to others in our community. FOOD RUNNERS, an…