Marcia Gagliardi

A report by Dana Massey-Todd. Back in July, we did a hardhat preview of LA URBANA, the modern cantina and mezcaleria on Divisadero. The new spot officially opens on Wednesday September 4th, after several nights of test runs and friends and family dinners. I had a chance to check it…

Last week I heard through the grapevine that chef Jan Birnbaum was leaving ~EPIC ROASTHOUSE~. By the time the PR team decided to confirm my fact checking, it was past my column post time, so here we are. Sadly, Birnbaum is in fact leaving after his six years at the…

I was happy to learn via Zagat that the kind (and talented) chef Guddu—previously running the tasty Pakistani show at ~LAHORE KARAHI~ in the Tenderloin—is going to be opening his own place in the Outer Sunset. Yes, we get to have his cooking again! Chef Zulfiqar “Guddu” Haider…

It’s wine o’clock! As intended, INOVINO is opening in Cole Valley on Friday September 6th, starting at 5pm! You can come by for the soft opening the night before, also at 5pm—hat tip to Cole Valley blog for the heads-up. For a recap of Claudio Villani’s…

~A16 ROCKRIDGE~ is beginning Sunday brunch service on September 8th. From 11am-2pm, look for Southern Italian-inspired brunch dishes, including sfogliatelle (can’t wait to try this, it’s the pastry I miss most in Italy), zeppole donuts with strawberry jam, a changing frittata of the day, and fried ceci beans…

The CHEESE SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO is getting a new home this fall: they’re moving from their Powell Street location to Folsom in the Mission. As of October 1st, all their classes will be at the new space, where they’ll have more space, an outdoor courtyard, and a…

The national tour of Asian food festival LUCKY RICE hits San Francisco on Friday September 6th, at the ~FERRY BUILDING~. The event features local chefs serving a variety of Asian dishes, including folks like the amazing Azalina’s, Cassava, Chubby Noodle, ICHI Sushi, and Juhu Beach Club. There are also…

Chef Joshua Skenes of ~SAISON~ is hosting a week of dinners with guest chefs at the restaurant in early October, from Tuesday October 8th-Saturday October 12th. Each evening will feature a 12-course tasting menu, with courses alternating between the guest chef and Skenes. Here’s the lineup: * Tuesday October 8th:…