The Chatterbox

Get ‘em right when they’re hot off the press: the 2012 “CHEFS OF THE BAY AREA” CALENDAR debuts Wednesday October 19th with an official kick-off party at 6pm at the Cellar in Macy’s Union Square, where you can meet some of the participating chefs and receive special sweets…

The OLD SKOOL CAFE, a youth-run supperclub dedicated to teaching at-risk youth in the Bayview area restaurant training for future employment, is hosting their Bayview Blues and BBQ event on Saturday October 22nd. There will be barbecue and more from Old Skool Cafe youth, grilling with BBQ master Chief William…

This Friday October 14th, MODERN COFFEE is celebrating their two-year anniversary with a party, and you’re invited. Swing by from 5pm-9pm for special coffee tastings throughout the evening (which will feature coffee from many of their favorite roasters), plus food and drink from local purveyors, like Drake’s Beer,…

I heard through the grapevine (hey, it is harvest!) that Jerome Waag, currently a sous chef at ~CHEZ PANISSE~, has been named restaurant chef; he would be taking over the position David Tanis vacated a few months ago. Unfortunately I heard the rumor too late for me to be able…

Yup, it’s true: slated to open this Friday October 7th is San Francisco’s very first ~UMAMI BURGER~, an import from Los Angeles. I can’t wait to finally sink my teeth into one of those bad boys. The former Jovino space on Union Street will be open Sun-Thu…

Will it happen? Maybe? ~LERS ROS HAYES~ is verrrrry close to opening its Hayes Valley location this week, but I wasn’t able to get a definitive answer before posting my column. Nor a phone number for said location. But we do know this: chef Tom Silargorn will be offering…

A report by Rebecca Kinney, tablehopper intern: FOURTH WAVE COFFEE will be opening in about two weeks in the old Polk Street Station Diner space. Owner Brian Kramer says that the name Fourth Wave Coffee references his interest in surfing (there are already surfboards on the wall), but that the…

Two quickies for you: Eater reports our dear LA OAXAQUEÑA might not be closing for good after all. There is reportedly a sign in the window that says: “Dear Customers, please have patience. We will re-open very soon. We have been busy restructuring and revamping our space and our New…

Looking for a spiffy (and civilized) spot to close some deals over lunch while you’re downtown? CAMPTON PLACE RESTAURANT has launched a 60-minute, three-course business lunch for $34 during the work week (Mon-Fri). Chef Srijith Gopinathan is also keeping it healthy: the summer menu included choices like organic baby…

Had a chance to catch up with the ever-busy Charlie Hallowell, owner of Pizzaiolo, Boot and Shoe Service, and now the BOOT AND SHOE SERVICE CAFÉ next door (in the former DiBartolo Cafe space). Things have been ramping up the past couple months at the café, and now you can…