The Chatterbox

Liza Shaw—the talented powerhouse of a chef who has worked at A16, Acquerello, and most recently consulting in Wine Country on the pizzas at Redd Wood and Pizzando—is finally ready to formally announce her next venture: MERIGAN SUB SHOP. I have been hearing about (and anxiously awaiting) her…

Brenda Buenviaje writes in with some great news: she and wife/business partner Libby Truesdell are opening a new café on Polk Street, just two doors down from the current ~BRENDA’S FRENCH SOUL FOOD~. Her blog mentions that it will be called LIBBY JANE CAFÉ after Libby (awwww). Anyone…

A bunch of new projects are coming to the city, starting with ARTESANO in Laurel Heights in the former Asqew Grill space. It’s a new project from chef-partner Jeff Gambardella and owner Douglas Mathieux of neighboring Rigolo Café, which bills itself as “the most child-friendly restaurant in SF.” Their…

As previously mentioned in tablehopper, DANTE’S TABLE is now open in the Castro. For your viewing pleasure, here’s the latest copy of the lunch menu by chef Andrea Cesca. Initial opening hours: Lunch is 11:30am-2:30pm and dinner Tue-Sun 5pm-10pm. Closed Mondays. 544 Castro St. at 19th…

Over the weekend, Haighteration announced DA ‘PITT on Divis was shut down and is sporting an eviction notice. While I appreciate the legacy and importance of the location itself, Da ‘Pitt was completely da pits. When it was Brother-in-Laws, I would heed the siren song of the smoky pit more…

The next time a hankering for ~HI LO~’s absolutely insane St. Louis-cut spare ribs strikes at 4:21pm, well, you’re in luck. Meatloaf sandwich for brunch? Oh yes you can. Hi Lo will now be open daily 12pm-10pm, starting this Wednesday May 1st. (Guess they were trying to…

~CRAFTSMAN AND WOLVES~, the design-forward pâtisserie from William Werner, is expanding some elements of their business. First things first, starting Monday May 6th they’ll be serving beer and wine at their Valencia Street location, and have expanded their hours. They’ll now be open Sun-Thu until 9pm, and Fri-Sat…

One of my fab Twitter pals alerted me to the opening of FIFTY / FIFTY COFFEE AND TEA, a new café on Geary in the Inner Richmond/Laurel Heights area. On tap: Ritual coffee, bubble tea, loose teas, tea smoothies, and baked goodies from Dynamo Donut and Devil’s Teeth. Reportedly…

Just in case you head out to SHANGHAI DUMPLING KING on Balboa in the Outer Richmond for your sugar egg puff fix and wonder what the hell happened to the restaurant, a post on Chowhound announces the original location is undergoing some renovations. There’s a new location in the…

Looking for a new place to brunch? Catch Amy Brown and Joe Wolf of Marla Bakery at ~STATE BIRD PROVISIONS~ three Sundays in May: the 12th (that’s Mother’s Day, if mom is into pop-ups), the 19th, and 26th. Brunch will be served 11am-4pm, with goods like rye toast…