The Chatterbox

Some new service for you around town, starting with Saturday brunch at Bernal’s year-old OLD BUS TAVERN. Think oatmeal-maple pancakes with brown butter syrup, seasonal berries, praline, and oatmeal crunch, and a pulled pork eggs Benedict (menu here). Don’t forget they have full liquor, so you can get…

Here’s a quick roundup of special dinners, events, and more happening this September: If you’re around Labor Day weekend, HOMESTEAD in Oakland is hosting a Sunday Supper BBQ on September 4th from 4:30pm-8:30pm. Think chopped salad, baby back ribs, smoked brisket, corn on the cob, baked…

Last Thursday, I walked up to the brand-new TARTINE MANUFACTORY, the line snaking out of the building on day two, full of the many friends and fans of this unique San Francisco company made of some of our very best craftspeople. Tartine is one of our city’s proudest culinary…

After Joël Robuchon Las Vegas executive chef Claude Le-Tohic left the restaurant earlier this year, word was that he was going to be opening his own project in San Francisco. Mon dieu! I have been keeping tabs on the chef (read: social media stalking), and it looks like he’s…

Let’s take a quick look at some upcoming projects, shall we? After departing Russian Hill’s 1760, opening chef Adam Tortosa went on to work at badass sushi HQ Akiko’s while formulating plans for his next venture, which will be THE STARLING, coming to Hayes Valley. Tortosa will…

Some news tidbits for you. The lunch crew who used to get their wonton soup at The Silver Star Deli have a new option: bahn mi and spring rolls and vermicelli bowls at NEW SILVER STAR DELI. The new owners are also keeping things affordable: everything is $7.25 and…

Potrero Hill residents are going to be losing MARKET & RYE at the end of August, after five years of business. Chef Ryan Scott is busy focusing on his new project opening in October, Finn Town—he just hired his chef de cuisine, Jason Raffin (previously Bin 38, Evvia in…

Exciting news: Kim Alter is finally opening NIGHTBIRD, her first solo project in Hayes Valley, in the former Stelline and Las Estrellas location. Eater reports it should open this Thursday August 18th. Back in March, I mentioned the 38-seat room will have custom tables and chairs, with a frosted glass…

I have heard from a couple of sources that ~PIZZETTA 211~ has taken over the laundromat that was next door to the restaurant (on the corner of 23rd Avenue and California Street) and will be opening a Mediterranean-based restaurant, with pastas and seafood. (Nope, sorry, you don’t get expanded…

Officially opening on Wednesday August 17th is BARZOTTO in the former St. Vincent space on Valencia. Chef Michelle Minori (previously executive sous chef of the Ne Timeas Restaurant Group: Flour + Water, Aatxe, Cafe du Nord, Salumeria, and Central Kitchen) is working with Marko Sotto (most recently director of operations for…