The Chatterbox

Some quick hits for your pop-up radar: tonight is HAPA RAMEN at Wing Wings in the Lower Haight. Instead of ramen, expect preview menu items for Richie Nakano’s upcoming brick-and-mortar restaurant, HAPA, on Fillmore Street (take a peek at an in-progress menu here). 6pm-10pm, BYOB, cash only. On Wednesday…

As previously reported in tablehopper, DISTRICT OAKLAND is opening in the former Levende East space in Old Oakland, and according to East Bay Express, it will be opening this coming Friday April 27th. To recap: there will be plenty of wine, whiskeys (over 40!), and some food to keep you…

Whoa, this is quite the celebratory deal: ~MASA’S~ is celebrating 30 years, and to show their appreciation, they’re offering 25% off the entire menu and wine list every Thursday in 2012. This is a good chance to indulge in executive chef Gregory Short’s four- and seven-course prix-fixe…

Make your Cinco de Mayo celebration count by joining Tacolicious at their second annual HECHO EN SAN FRANCISCO party. From 6pm-9pm in the CUESA Kitchen at the Ferry Building, gulp and guzzle top-shelf tequila, Tacolicious tacos, antojitos from 10 SF Mexican restaurants and purveyors, and more, with all proceeds going…

This year’s PEBBLE BEACH FOOD & WINE was yet another one for the books: the amount of talent that descends onto the property is staggering. As a media guest, I feel very honored to get the access that I do—a huge thanks to the Coastal Luxury Management team…

Opening today, Tuesday April 17th, is GIOIA PIZZERIA, the first San Francisco location of the Berkeley favorite from husband-and-wife team Will and Karen Gioia. The 50-seat location moved into two former storefronts that were combined into one space on Polk Street. The 1,800-square-foot restaurant is larger than the Berkeley…

Another opening on Polk Street: the new incarnation in the former Rex Cafe space, MARBELLA officially opens for dinner on Wednesday April 18th. As previously mentioned in tablehopper, the Spanish-inspired restaurant is serving tapas by chef Nelson German, and features a new cocktail program (think hand-crafted drinks made with fresh…

I noticed a tweet late last night announcing that Ethiopian restaurant MOYA is reopening as of 9am today. They moved to 121 9th Street (at Minna) after a fire forced the closure of their previous location. You can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner—more details on Eater. A couple new…

A tablehopper reader let me know the CARNELIAN BY THE BAY, which is in that bizzare-o 1970s building behind the Ferry Building Marketplace (next to Sinbad’s, another time warp location), is now called ONE FERRY PLAZA, serving dim sum daily. Reports on Yelp mention authentic tea service, har gow,…

Some restaurants have added hours to their regular schedules: right on time, ~LOCAL’S CORNER~ starts dinner service tonight, Tuesday April 17th. You can check out the menu here. Served Tue-Sat 6pm-10pm. (Good looking site, guys!) CLAUDINE in the Financial District is now serving Saturday dinner from 5:30pm-10pm (dinner…