The Chatterbox

The California Artisan Cheese Guild is going to be hosting one of their gatherings, Great Cheese & Good Cheer, in the East Bay for the first time! On Sunday December 5th, this holiday fundraiser and gathering will feature 15 California Guild cheesemakers (view the complete list on the website). You’…

A friend (and big fan) of SCREAM SORBET let me know they are now selling pints and sorbet sandwiches out of their retail storefront next to Bakesale Betty in Oakland. The space has been under painstaking renovation for a while, so Temescal neighbors are happy to finally see the business…

Well, the wiley wittle wabbit has been caught: opening this Wednesday November 17th is ~BEAST AND THE HARE~ from Ian Marks (Hog Island, Fatted Calf) and Dylan Denicke. The Mission’s former La Provence has been transformed into a modern tavern, with wood tables and banquettes, and a cypress bar…

Sure, pizza is hot, but I’d say izakayas are quickly on pizza’s heels. Grub Street first noted IZAKAYA JU-KU was moving into the former Ristorante Tiziano space in the Outer Richmond. And now, look at that, it’s open. Initial reports on Yelp mention donburi for lunch and…

A tablehopper tipster called me last week to let me know the new (and second) location of HANA ZEN SUSHI & YAKITORI GRILL at PIER 39 is quite the looker, with an amazing view of the water, and yakitori items grilled on imported bincho-tan charcoal (it’s also the first…

Over on Russian Hill, Urban Daddy has word that SEVEN HILLS, the restaurant that moved into 1550 Hyde’s location, is due to open for dinner this Friday. (I knew about the seven hills of Rome, but never realized San Francisco clocked in at seven as well.) Chef-owner Alexander Alioto’…

Is it here? Is it today? This weekend? Yeah? Maybe? The local crab season was supposed to kick off today—but some folks are saying it’s delayed until the 20th. Supposedly the crabs aren’t full and the shells are too soft, but price is another issue is well.…

SFoodie mentions (and paid a visit to) the new T-DUB’S ON FRIDAYS in SoMa, in the former Yellow Pa Taut location. “Baby back ribs are his specialty, but the menu includes other cuts of pork, beef, and chicken wings, too. None of the meats are smoked—they’re braised…

After BOMBAY BAZAR AND ICE CREAM were closed by city health inspectors for potential food contamination, Mission Local is reporting the grocer (548 Valencia St. at 17th St., 415-621-1717) and ice cream shop (552 Valencia St., 415-861-3995) have closed permanently. Rose petal ice cream; Yelp photo by Jennifer W.…