The Chatterbox

I was sorry to read in Bernalwood that JASMINE TEA HOUSE has suddenly closed. Some vegetarians are gonna be bummed. 3253 Mission St. at 29th St. And my favorite tipster Jason B. alerted me that after 22 years, CAFE CORBAS in Hayes Valley has closed. He said, “A sign on…

This little piggy went to TRADER VIC’S in Emeryville for a Lahaina Luau on Friday August 26th, featuring Kalua roasted pig, passed appetizers (including pork belly and Maui pineapple kabobs), and a sit-down dinner. $39 per person (not including tax and gratuity), and $5 Mai Tais. Cocktails and appetizer…

I received an invite to check out the new mobile truck from VESTA, which the owners are describing as a “mobile hearth on wheels.” They named it Ceres, and you’re going to want to follow it on Twitter and Facebook to see where you can score one of their…

After some liquor license activity, and Grub Street poking around online, details have been released about ~AQ~, a new project from first-time restaurateur Matt Semmelhack and Dixon Hayes of Mercer Restaurant Group. Martin Heid Design/Build (who designed Commonwealth and Serpentine) is transforming the 104-year-old space on Mission Street, which…

Over at ~DELFINA~, chef de cuisine Matthew Gandin is leaving after eight years with the group (almost nine!). He said it’s completely amicable—he’s just ready to do his own thing, “after working really hard, I’m ready to do that for myself.” He is currently incubating a…

Since leaving Murray Circle, chef Joseph Humphrey has been on quite a hunt for his own restaurant location in San Francisco. After Grub Street noticed Humphrey’s “coming soon” cards listing the name ~DIXIE~ on them at the SF Chefs Sugar & Spice party, Inside Scoop reveals he’s opening…

Starting this Sunday August 21st, ~DESTINO~ and PISCO will start serving Sunday brunch from 10:30am-2:30pm. Guests can either sit in Destino or Pisco, and they’ll get the same menu. As for what’s on the menu, new items include huevos con pallares (two fried eggs, fava bean…

Starting Monday August 22nd, you’ll be able to swing by the ~BOXING ROOM~ for lunch Mon-Fri, starting at 11:30am. One the menu: new po’ boys (of course!) like a dressed roast beef po’ boy with gravy and steak fries ($14), and a limited number of muffuletta sandwiches (!) with…

A tablehopper tipster let me know that HOME RESTAURANT filed for bankruptcy and closed last week. Inside Scoop shared further details that there was a potential deal to sell the restaurant to the owner of Lookout, but the transfer of the ABC’s liquor license was going to prove to…

There’s more going on than ever with this year’s SAN FRANCISCO STREET FOOD FESTIVAL, in addition to what we mentioned previously. Got a couple updates here for ya, but first, a refresher (as if you need it): food trucks and restaurants alike are going street food-style Saturday August…