Marcia Gagliardi

On Friday evening I had a chance to check out HARD WATER, Charles Phan’s new bar and kitchen at Pier 3 that is opening Thursday March 14th. (Every time I mentioned it to someone this past weekend, I had to say the name in my best Don LaFontaine voice,…

Right on schedule, the transition from Betelnut to HUTONG has happened after a one-week closure, with the restaurant opening last night (Monday) for its first dinner service. As mentioned previously, the new “back alley” look (hutong means “alley”) includes wall treatments with layers of paper, newspaper, posters, and clippings,…

A tipster let me know that chef Richard Blais (of Top Chef fame, and currently touring his first cookbook, Try This at Home: Recipes from My Head to Your Plate) is going to be opening a new restaurant in the Bay Area sometime in the not-too-distant future. He…

Petaluma’s ACRE COFFEE has expanded into San Francisco with a location in the Public Utility Commission building in the Civic Center, providing workers and tourists in the area with a new option for Four Barrel coffee, breakfast, and lunch. For breakfast, look for granola and pastries, and for lunch,…

After a commendable 27-year run, TOMMY TOY’S will be closing on Saturday March 30th, according to Scoop. People can call the room and dining style dated, but I actually wish someone with some kick-ass Chinese chops would take it over and rock it. The opulent and over-…

Those ~LA COCINA~ alums just don’t quit: Elvia Buendia of LA LUNA CUPCAKES is opening a brick-and-mortar location in the Crocker Galleria on Thursday March 21st. She’ll be serving her sweet and savory cupcakes, from carrot cake cupcakes to savory ones, like bacon and eggs, and…

Boris Portnoy of SATELLITE REPUBLIC will be popping up again in Oakland at THE PUNCHDOWN WINE BAR, with his fabulous Georgian food. On Saturday March 16th, he’ll be serving a nine-course family-style dinner for $50 per person (seriously, you better come hungry). Wine pairings will be available…

Tuesday March 19th is Italian Father’s Day (La Festa di San Giuseppe), and to celebrate, ~PALIO D’ASTI~ is serving a feast worthy of a serious papa bear. The meal will be served family style, with antipasti, three types of risotto, four entrées, and Sicilian cheesecake for dessert. The…