The Chatterbox

This is some very sad news: Bob Kantor, the founder and owner of MEMPHIS MINNIE’S, has passed away. He apparently died of a heart attack while scuba diving with his wife in the Caribbean last Monday, so tragic. Minnie’s Facebook page has the announcement, and Haighteration has a…

For those of you who remember the amazing Meetinghouse biscuits from years ago, the talented maker of them, Joanna Karlinsky, has been going through a rough time lately. Yeah, the big C tried to take her down in the form of a very rare and usually fatal sarcoma on her…

With the holiday season upon us, we’re all enjoying a lot of little luxuries and some culinary excess. But it’s also a good time to remember how fortunate we are, and to think about passing on some of our bounty to others in our community. FOOD RUNNERS, an…

Here is some excellent news in the caffeinated world. Durham, North Carolina-based COUNTER CULTURE COFFEE is opening their very first West Coast training center in Emeryville. The new spot will join eight other training centers, with classes for professional baristas and home coffee brewers. They will also offer free weekly…

East Bay Express caught the news that BARKADA is now offering brunch on weekends from 8:30am-3pm. The menu highlights housemade bread and pastries, including burgers and sandwiches on house bread, an eggs Benedict, and granola. There are lots of gluten-free options as well. 4316 Telegraph Ave. at 43rd, Oakland,…

I have heard through a couple of sources that Matt Tinder, the corporate pastry chef for the Daniel Patterson Group (Coi, Alta CA, Plum, Plum Bar, Haven), is leaving at the end of the month to head up the pastry program at Meadowood at the start of the new year.…

Hello darlings. Those of you who are sticking around for the holidays, I have a very special event in store for you! On Saturday December 28th, tablehopper is beyond thrilled to be hosting an exclusive event with Louis Roederer Champagne, TOP IT OFF. We’ll be pouring the gorgeous Brut…

Still looking for the perfect gift for some of your favorite gourmands on your holiday shopping list? Here are some ideas for you! Who wouldn’t love a tablehopper t-shirt? All the shirts are based on designs from vintage bars and restaurants in San Francisco. Oh, and they’re super-soft…

This weekend I headed over to Noe Valley to take a peek at LA NEBBIA, the new enoteca, prosciutteria, and lasagneria from Massimiliano Conti and Lorella Degan of nearby local favorite La Ciccia. The room has a contemporary and clean look, with some fun overhead lights that look like octopi…

Good news for folks who were concerned about the fate of the ~BIG 4~ restaurant at the Huntington Hotel: it will be coming back. The new owners, Singapore-based hospitality group Grace International, have brought on the local Puccini Group to consult on and oversee the renovation, design, restaurant concept, and…