The Chatterbox

There’s yet another project coming to Mid-Market, this time in the former Hollywood Billiards space. The building is being razed and an apartment building is going in its place, and according to liquor license activity there’s going to be a food situation on the ground floor. The people…

Last week I went to check out the brand-new SAMOVAR location on Valencia, and it’s a cool experience. I wrote about Samovar founder Jesse Jacobs’ third-wave tea vision for this concept back in November, but to go over it again, he is basically trying to take tea to the…

Last week we received a note from owner Yuko Hayashi of ~IZAKAYA YUZUKI~ that their talented chef Takashi Saito is going to be taking a break from the kitchen; his last night was Saturday. His replacement is Kentaro Ikuta, whose parents had a restaurant in Osaka, where he was born.…

The ~331 CORTLAND MARKETPLACE~ is getting a new Thai kiosk, Bernalwood reports. It’s called MAE KRUA and is a labor of love from Anucha Kongthavorn, who grew up in Thailand and learned to cook from his grandmother. Bernalwood has a lot of background on Kongthavorn, as well as a…

Well, this is dangerous and delicious news, indeed. Apparently, PRESIDIO PIZZA COMPANY is now offering delivery, according to their Facebook page. It’s via bike, so only about a one-mile radius from their shop, and costs $6. 1862 Divisadero St. at Pine, 415-409-6672. Brunch is fabulous, and brunch on a…

Ryan Farr of 4505 Meats has another cookbook out, called Sausage Making: The Definitive Guide with Recipes. On Wednesday June 25th from 5pm-8pm he’ll be throwing a party with fellow author and butcher Tom Mylan of Brooklyn’s Meat Hook, whose new book The Meat Hook Meat Book was…

Have you heard of Wildsoul? It’s a very cool, very Northern California group that puts on special yoga and meal events on local farms. They host farm meals in various locations, preceded by a yoga class and farm tour, often with themes that connect the yoga with food and…

PERDITION SMOKEHOUSE is getting ready to open on Friday June 20th in Berkeley. As previously mentioned, the project comes from Chuck Stilphen, of the Trappist and Mikkeller Bar, and chef Michael O’Brien. In addition to 43 rotating domestic craft beers on tap, you’ll find a classic barbecue menu…

Last week I heard through the grapevine that one of our city’s most well-known fine dining institutions, FLEUR DE LYS, was closing. That same day, I actually ran into chef-owner Hubert Keller and his wife Chantal at the pre-opening party for Aveline, and he confirmed the rumor. The next…

They said they were going to open in time for World Cup, and whaddya know, World Cup kicks off on Thursday June 12th, and the SAN FRANCISCO ATHLETIC CLUB will be open at 11am! The first game is Brazil vs. Croatia at 1pm! Pretty amazing to turn the place around…