The Chatterbox

Exciting times in Hayes Valley. Last week we mentioned that ~MONSIEUR BENJAMIN~ was opening, and I got to attend a preview meal to experience it firsthand the day before it opened (I know, I’m a lucky lady). Corey Lee (Benu) has brought on chef Jason Berthold (RN74)—the two…

A couple of follow-ups for you on some openings we mentioned were coming. First, let’s circle back around to LOLÓ CEVICHERÍA, which we broke the news about last week. Opening this Wednesday July 16th in the original Loló space, you’ll notice owner Lorena Zertuche has updated the space…

As previously reported on tablehopper, chef Brett Cooper joined forces with the Daniel Patterson Group after his departure from Outerlands. Now, Scoop reports that ~BEAST AND THE HARE~ in the Mission is closing, and Cooper and DPG are moving in. They’re planning to open a neighborhood restaurant, but with…

The new outlet of BELCAMPO MEAT CO. is now open for lunch from 11:30am-3pm daily. The menu includes sandwich choices like the fried chicken sandwich with slaw or a French dip with jus, a chopped salad, and of course their cheeseburger. 1998 Polk St. at Pacific, 415-660-5573. CAUSWELLS is…

As previously reported on tablehopper, Loretta Keller has sold ~COCO500~. It is now officially closed (sniff), and the Marlowe team will be moving into the space in the coming months. HOTEI in the Inner Sunset is closing after more than 15 years in business. Owner Steve Fujii, who also owns…

Tipster Adam T. wrote in to let us know that there is a new Northeastern-style Chinese restaurant in the Excelsior, called SUNGARI DUMPLING HOUSE. The chef hails from Dongbei, and the menu offers specialties from that region. Look for Northern ribs, braised duck, and hand-pulled soup noodles. The menu is…

How’s this for faaaabulous? While ~QUINCE~ is closed for renovations (from July 25th until September 19th), the restaurant will be holding a series of pop-up dinners just across the street at Hedge Gallery, called curATE (the experience will be designed and produced by the one-and-only Stanlee Gatti). And the…

Last week we mentioned that SHAKEWELL was opening on Lakeshore in Oakland, and now we want to point you to a few more details of note. First up, the Cal-Med-Spanish menu from chef-owner Jen Biesty (previously executive chef of of Scala’s Bistro and the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, and…

DOUKKALA in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood is now offering brunch on weekends from 11am-3pm. The Moroccan restaurant is offering brunch dishes with a California twist, like the Benedict with Merguez sausage and harissa hollandaise, or the fig jam-stuffed French toast (yowza). Take a peek at the menu here. For beverages,…

Scoop reports that Oakland’s BARKADA is closed after just over a year in business, bummer. Their last day of service was Sunday July 6th, and there is no word on exactly what caused the closure or what might be moving in. 4316 Telegraph Ave. at 43rd St., Oakland, 510-601-7314.…