The Chatterbox

Here’s an update on some kitchen staff movements around town. First, executive chef David Taylor of ~A16~ has been replaced by Christopher Thompson, previously sous chef (and also behind A16’s butchery and salumi program), as reported by the Scoop. Over at ~AME~, Randy Lutz has been named new…

Edible Escapes was the first to release the news of the closure of FIOR D’ITALIA, known for being America’s oldest Italian restaurant. After a 126-year run, the restaurant closed last night. Scoop mentions partner Trudy Audieri “and her husband Gianni (also the chef) want to reopen Fior D’…

Pssst, thought you’d like to know ~LOCAL’S CORNER~ is launching an oyster happy hour every Tue-Sat from 2pm-6pm. Get two-for-one oysters and $5 Dashe Cellars rosé. It all starts today, Tuesday May 22nd. Interior of Local’s Corner. Photo: © tablehopper.com.…

A couple of restaurants are hosting special guests next month. First, owner Rick Hackett of BOCANOVA in Jack London Square is hosting his next Rick’s Supper Club on Thursday June 7th. There will be a five-course sustainable seafood menu served family style in partnership with Monterey Fish Market’s…

A guest post by Dana Massey-Todd. If you’ve ever secretly longed for a simpler time, when women were women, men were men, we all smoked cigarettes, and everyone wore a hat, hike on up to Nob Hill’s TOP OF THE MARK for Tuesday pairings of classic films and…

After hearing rumors about the new tenant for the vacant CAFÉ FANNY space, Berkeleyside announces the new tenant is BARTAVELLE COFFEE & WINE BAR. The owner is Suzanne Drexhage of Kermit Lynch (and a former Chez Panisse server)—the Inside Scoop learns that she is going to be serving coffee,…

Opening in about six weeks on Lake Merritt in the former Wasabi space is PORTAL, a project from Jennifer Tucci (Rosamunde) and Warren Rector. They are giving the location a massive overhaul, with 40 seats inside and about 75 outside on a giant outdoor patio that has a fantastic view…

On Saturday afternoon, I was fortunate to see the ~DEL POPOLO~ pizza truck in action, and taste one of Jon Darsky’s superlative Neapolitan-style pies (which none of us have had since he left flour + water). As previously profiled in tablehopper, this custom truck is really something to behold. It…

Last Thursday evening, I had a chance to swing by and check out ~WEST OF PECOS~, the Southwestern restaurant opening tonight in the former Bombay Bazar and Bombay Ice Creamery. I met up with owner Dylan MacNiven (Woodhouse Fish Co.) and his brother Tyler for a sneak peek; the space…

Last month, I mentioned the upcoming MACHINE COFFEE opening up next door to Show Dogs on Market. While that coffee shop and deli project gets under way, you’ll be able to check out the deli sandwiches at MACHINE DELI AT LASZLO, a brand-new pop-up from the Machine team that…