The Chatterbox

Earlier this month, David Lynch of ~ST. VINCENT~ in the Mission announced he was going to be changing the format to more of an enoteca/wine bar—with a focus on retail sales—and less of a restaurant. He is unveiling the new format this week, after hosting chef-farmer-author Chris…

After popping up for about two years at Blowfish Sushi, IZA RAMEN is opening in the former Squat & Gobble in the Lower Haight. Chef and partner Ritsuo Tsuchida—who has also been the chef-partner at Blowfish Sushi in the Mission since it opened—was originally a sushi chef in…

Back in April, we shared details about the new location for old-timer SAM WO RESTAURANT AND BAKERY, reopening in the former Anna Bakery space in Chinatown. After three years of being closed out of their previous ramshackle location (which opened shortly after the 1906 quake), they reopened last week, on…

Some exciting news for Dogpatch residents (and people like me who love the neighborhood): local social dining marketplace Feastly is going to be hosting weekly pop-ups Wednesday through Sunday nights in Recchiuti’s THE LAB (previously the cozy Piccino space). Different chefs will be rotating on different nights, so one…

Some changes are happening at ICHI KAKIYA, which will be going dark after service (and handing out candy!) on Halloween. Partners Tim and Erin Archuleta will be experimenting with hosting pop-up dinners in the space in early 2016, as well as featuring other collaborations with chefs and friends. You’ll…

Just this past Sunday, ~CALA~ launched Sunday brunch service. It’s a beautiful, airy space, so it will be quite the chic spot for brunch. The menu includes some of the seafood-focused dinner items, like the sopes playeros con pescado adobado, but you’ll also see some meatier items, like…

A report by Dana Eastland: Back in March, we shared the news that the Vardakastanis family, who owns Noriega Produce in the Sunset and Haight Street Market, would be opening a new grocery store in the Mission, called GUS’S COMMUNITY MARKET. I had a chance to swing by recently…

Since it’s fall cookbook season, here are a few chefs and authors on tour you won’t want to miss. On Monday November 2nd is a dinner to celebrate Donabe: Classic and Modern Japanese Clay Pot Cooking (Ten Speed Press), by Japanese home-cooking expert and teacher Naoko Takei Moore…

After BAY WOLF closed in September, many were left wondering who would be the next taker for the historic space. It ends up it is Rich and Rebekah Wood of Wood Tavern and Southie, who just signed the lease on Friday. Rich said, “It’s a dream come true” and…

Fans of the classic and kitschy PINE CONE DINER (and its delicious chilaquiles and pancakes) will be dismayed to hear it has closed after 19 years. No reason was given, but some posts on their Facebook page allude to some restructuring and difficulties finding a line cook. (Point Reyes Light…