Marcia Gagliardi

Russian Hill and Nob Hill residents have been wondering for a while what was opening in the former Pasha space (and short-lived Cossu) on Broadway. The owner is Giovanni Toracca, a name many North Beach longtimers know well. He’s opening TAPS, a 170-seat restaurant that will have…

Hello, my fellow singles who love food and wine. Did you catch the news last week? It’s time for round two of the tablehopper singles events! This time it’s for the gents, specifically gay men who are in the age range of 35-55 (whether you choose to…

Hallelujah, I finally don’t have to answer any more emails asking me, “When is PALMER’S TAVERN going to open?” The GM I left my card with didn’t follow up with information, and owners Albert and Klaus Rainer (Leopold’s) were very good at never returning calls or…

Over a year ago, we reported on the closure of SAM WO. The Chinatown institution had been around for more than 100 years, and was famed for its colorful clientele and staff, including Edsel Ford Fong, the world’s rudest waiter. The restaurant was shut down back in April 2012…

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…

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’…