The Chatterbox

Last Friday October 25th, ~MAVERICK~ tragically suffered a major fire, and it looks like it’s going to be awhile until they can get back on their feet. SF Appeal reports there are an estimated $400,000 in damages. Best wishes to the team (and the renters upstairs)—fortunately no…

After a successful Kickstarter and fundraising, chef Jen Biesty and pastry chef Tim Nugent are ready to announce the location of their upcoming SHAKEWELL BAR & KITCHEN project: it will be opening in the Mezzé space on Lakeshore in Oakland. The casual restaurant will be a spacious one, with 80…

Last week I trucked over to Portola to check out the new ~FOUR BARREL COFFEE~ location that just opened over the weekend (in case you’re wondering where that is, it’s near the Silver Avenue exit off the 101). It’s a cool location that’s a cul-de-sac of…

Over at WAIHEKE ISLAND YACHT CLUB, the team has moved into a post-America’s Cup phase, with new seasonal menus from chef Hayden McMillan and a new wine list that includes selections from New Zealand (they were previously limited to only serving wines from Napa Valley). Check out the new…

A couple of quick notes about some chef changes around town: the PR team for ~EPIC ROASTHOUSE~ announced Parke Ulrich is the new executive chef (he also oversees Waterbar), working with chef de cuisine Eric Hollis. A new menu is scheduled to launch on Friday November 1st, featuring more cuts…

Chefs Spencer O’Meara and Sarah Buchard are back with their pop-up S&S Shack at MISSION ROCK RESORT on Tuesday November 12th at 6pm. This time, they are focusing on the food they grew up eating, so think fried chicken, green bean casserole, and deviled eggs; peek at…

Congrats to FIREFLY on their 20th anniversary, which they will be celebrating this week by offering special menus through Tuesday November 5th (the actual anniversary is Sunday November 3rd, when the menu will go down to its original prices, and they will have live music). Call for reservations and info…

After weeks of people wondering when BOX & BELLS was going to open, this past weekend, James Syhabout (Commis, Hawker Fare) announced the opening is this Wednesday October 30th. To recap, the Rockridge restaurant is opening in the former Somerset on College Avenue, and Syhabout’s partner is Alan Carlson…

Last week, owner Enzo Rosano of LOCANDA POSITANO and LIMONE in San Carlos sent out a teaser email about his plans to bring on chef George Morrone for a project. It ends up Rosano has turned Limone into GUSTO, and starting Tuesday November 5th, will be serving “sophisticated small plates”…

Hot off the press, here are the winners of Michelin stars for 2014! Congrats to Quince, who moved up to two stars this year (now joining Atelier Crenn, Baumé, Benu, Coi, Manresa, and Saison), and to State Bird Provisions, which earned their first star. Alexander’s Steakhouse, Frances, La Costanera,…