The Chatterbox

I received a note from Monica Rocchino that she and her husband, Aaron Rocchino, have opened THE LOCAL BUTCHER SHOP in Berkeley. Aaron was at Chez Panisse for the last five years, while Monica worked for Paula LeDuc Catering, so you can also get some good cooking tips with your…

I had a chance to swing by the gleaming new ~PARK TAVERN~ on Washington Square Park before skipping town, and folks, it looks fantastic. Partners Anna Weinberg and chef Jennifer Puccio of Marlowe are bringing a Cali-French bistro vibe to North Beach, with a touch of swank brasserie and Bay…

I had a chance to do a preview tasting of dishes from the upcoming CHUBBY NOODLE by owner Pete Mrabe of Don Pisto’s fame—and let’s just say, “Lucky me!” To recap, Chubby Noodle is going to be pop-up dinner service inside the bar Amante Tue-Sat from 6pm-10pm,…

By Daniel Azarkman A few months ago, Grub Street caught word that a bakery was in store for the shuttered Bistro Clovis space near Zuni Café. After further investigation, we learned that pastry chef Chona Piumarta was behind the project. While we were waiting for a call back from her,…

Fans of pastry chef William Werner’s Rebel Within and other creative treats through his ~TELL TALE PRESERVE COMPANY~ will be sorry to learn he is ending the business. The reason behind the sudden end? In an email I received, Werner states, “Over the past year my team and I…

By Daniel Azarkman. Starting today, you can take even shorter lunch breaks if you’re downtown and in the mood for grilled cheese and soup. THE MELT is opening the first of an anticipated 500 (yeah, you read that correctly) fast-casual locations that let you order through a mobile app…

Woot woot, looks like chef-owner Sharon Ardiana will be able to open the back patio at ~RAGAZZA~ by mid-September or thereabouts (they are aiming for their one-year anniversary the 22nd). Yup, garden dining, and just in time for Indian summer! There will be 10 seats to start, and the hours…

Back in spring 2009, Inside Scoop broke the news about a new project in Pacifica, THE SURF SPOT, that was going to open in a new building (adjacent to the nursery) in the Sea Bowl parking lot. After following up here and there over the past couple years with partner…

A tablehopper tipster let me know Tyler Florence reportedly has a project brewing at the HOTEL REX, a Joie de Vivre Hospitality hotel in Union Square known for its comfy Library Bar and bohemian style. I checked in with Tyler, who said he wasn’t ready to release any details…

The Ocean Beach Bulletin has an extensive writeup about BEACHSIDE COFFEE BAR AND KITCHEN, a new restaurant opening Thursday August 25th in the Outer Sunset. Eater originally revealed the project is from the team behind Java Beach, Pat and Buffy Maguire. There will be espresso off a gleaming La Marzocco…