The Chatterbox

Jealous of your friends currently on vacation in Sexico? (I know about three people who are south of the border, and am trying to not begrudge them their tans during this cold-ass week we’ve had.) Anyway, no matter, because ~DON PISTO’S~ is bringing the Baja to you in…

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED, SORRY. What is guaranteed to be quite the industry night is the upcoming Second Annual I-Talian I-Ranian American Spaghetti Feed at LONG BAR on Monday January 17th. Chefs Massimiliano Conti of La Ciccia and Hoss Zaré of Zaré at Fly Trap will team up with…

I’m a big fan of the olive oil from DaVero in Dry Creek Valley, and their olio nuovo is definitely something special. On Tuesday January 18th, ~COCO500~ is hosting their annual olio nuovo dinner, offering a special tasting menu to celebrate the bright green liquid gold. The four-course menu…

After the plans for ORGANICA CREPE HOUSE fell through, the former liquor store is now in the hands of Emily Summers and chef Adam Horndeck, who will be opening ~RADISH~ by mid-February. The concept is a casual neighborhood eatery for breakfast and lunch, serving seasonal New American cuisine. Breakfast will…

Five months after his promotion to executive chef, Ben Cohn at ~SPRUCE~ has stepped down as the executive chef for personal reasons and to spend time with his new baby and wife. Mark Sullivan remains in the kitchen, as before, and will continue to be the culinary leader as chef-partner.…

One of my favorite female executive chefs in the city, Liza Shaw at ~A16~ is leaving the restaurant after being there when it opened in 2004, according to the Scoop. Shaw is off to do some traveling (she said in an email to me: “I’m doing a guest chef…

After a number of delays, QUATTRO STAGIONI has opened in the Financial District in the former Pasta Paradiso spot. The Giuseppes (Scoppetta and Spinoso) of Café Tiramisu and their other Belden Place properties are behind the project, their fourth (hence the “quattro”). They’re doing authentic Italian pizzas (thin crust…

Let the falafel wars begin. After splitting from their space at 406 Hayes, HAYES & KEBAB is now reopened a couple blocks up Hayes in the former art gallery space at 580 Hayes and Laguna. Problem is, Kebabs of Hayes Valley, the business that opened when Hayes & Kebab left,…

Last week, Haighteration broke the story that Lower Haight’s BISTRO ST. GERMAIN had closed after less than two years of business. According to an anonymous note from a tipster, “A young couple with more than 12 years of cooking experience in the city will be taking over the space…

With the departure of chef Nick Balla from ~NOMBE~, replacement chef Vincent Schofield and culinary director Mari Takahashi are currently in Tokyo doing research for Nombe’s new menu. Schofield will be cooking at some izakayas in Tokyo, as well as touring some market districts (Takahashi plans to post some…