The Chatterbox

If you find you need a warm-up or a pick-me-up during the Black Friday madness downtown (or maybe you’re just sick of cooking and turkey—we feel you), make your way to ~BRASSERIE S&P~ for Black Friday Happy Hour. On Friday November 29th from 11am-11pm they’ll…

THE BLEECKER BISTRO is now open in Berkeley, in the former Ann’s Kitchen space. The new spot is from chef Jason Kwan of Joshu-ya Brasserie, and this time around he’s offering American comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Look for large portions and low prices, with menu…

A report by Dana Eastland. There is much excitement this week on Grand Avenue, with Charlie Hallowell’s PENROSE opening just across the street from his other baby, Boot & Shoe Service. It’s amazing to think this was the former home of the Lounge Nail Spa and Boutique, now…

No, the tablehopper is not opening a restaurant (although I do love the name). Alvin Garcia, whom many of you may know from his years as the opening GM for Delarosa, Lolinda, and El Techo de Lolinda, is now opening his own place in the Marina, HOPPER’S PLACE, in…

I heard through the Russian Hill grapevine that chef and part-owner Alexander Alioto has left SEVEN HILLS, and the rumor I heard is that he is taking over a Thai place in the neighborhood (this part is very TBD). While Alioto confirmed his departure from Seven Hills, that was all…

A report by Dana Eastland. We broke the story back in May that Brenda Buenviaje and her wife and business partner Libby Truesdell of Brenda’s French Soul Food are opening a new café just down the street. Well, LIBBY JANE CAFÉ is getting ready to open on Friday November…

I had a chance to catch up with Jesse Jacobs, the founder behind the three popular Samovar Tea Lounges in San Francisco, which he started 13 years ago. He said that while coffee is experiencing rapid third-wave growth in San Francisco, tea hasn’t hit a third wave here, until…

While Amy Brown and Joe Wolf of Marla Bakery wait on completion of their new location in the Outer Richmond, we already mentioned they’ll be at home in the Mission as the MARLA BAKERY KITCHEN COMMUNAL. The takeout window is opening on Wednesday November 20th (that’s tomorrow), with…

After announcing the unfortunate and upcoming closure of SWATDEE THAI CUISINE in Noe Valley, I was able to get owner James Sawatdee to pause for a quick conversation about it (he’s a busy guy!). People, I have to tell you, he is such an inspiration. James came to the…

Coming this December are two new places for frozen treats: OVER THE MOON, with ice cream and cookies from pastry chef Gillian Helquist (formerly of Oliveto, Quince, and Seghesio Family Vineyards), will have two locations, one on Chestnut in the Marina and the other at the Embarcadero Four Center, both…