The Chatterbox

I have been keeping in touch with Edward Sargent and Rodger Howell, the new owners of the former Charanga in the Mission, and they are finally ready to release some details about their plans for the space. The new project is going to be called CARSONS (Rodger’s dog is…

Liquor license activity reveals a new taker for the former Locavore space on Mission in Bernal: Richard Rosen, one of the partners are Pi Bar in the Mission. We had a chance to catch up with Rosen on the phone, and he confirms that he is working on the new…

A report by Dana Massey-Todd. On the heels of a pop-up at Public Bikes in South Park comes a new coffee spot on Polk Street, SAINT FRANK. The owner is Kevin Bohlin, a former Ritual barista, whose aim is to make clear the origins of his coffee. Each day they’…

~PROSPECT~ served their last brunch service on Sunday October 20th, in order to focus more on lunch service and dinner. But never fear! You can still get your brunch on at ~SPRUCE~, which is starting brunch service on Sunday October 27th. Every Sunday from 10am-2pm you’ll find a menu…

UMAMI BURGER has opened a new location in SoMa near the ballpark, according to UrbanDaddy. It officially opened Wednesday October 16th, with their lineup of burgers and fries; check out the menu here. The beer list has five options on tap, including Stone IPA, Goose Island Matilda, and one rotating…

Chef Daniel Boulud has a new cookbook, Daniel: My French Cuisine, and will be at the JCCSF talking about it on Sunday October 27th at 7pm. He’ll be joined by Chris Ying, the editor-in-chief of Lucky Peach. Tickets are $25 general admission, or $35 for premium seating. JCCSF members…

There’s a new sushi spot in Emeryville: KYU 2 SUSHI, according to Bites & Bourbon (via Berkeleyside Nosh). It’s now open, and Yelpers report lots of Japanese restaurant standards with reasonable prices. 6485 Hollis St. at 65th St., Emeryville, 510-735-9439. East Bay Express reports that Korean mainstay SURA…

Mill Valley coffee institution LACOPPA closed on September 30th, and longtime owner Arnold Spinelli has handed it over to Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell at Equator. The new owners plan to keep the spot a hub and gathering place in the neighborhood, while serving the same responsibly sourced coffee found…

Last month we mentioned the upcoming changes to ~COMSTOCK SALOON~’s dining room, and now a second change has just occurred: opening chef Carlo Espinas and Comstock have parted ways. Starting next week at the restaurant is chef Ronnie New, most recently at Magnolia. He will begin retooling the menu,…

Late on Sunday evening, I figured it would be the best time to swing by and check out the new digs of my beloved TOSCA CAFÉ. I was correct, and happily found a spot to perch on one of the new barstools, ready to soak in the fresh details. Owners…