The Chatterbox

Brunch institution DOTTIE’S TRUE BLUE CAFE is going to have new owners. Chef-owner Kurt Abney has been trying to sell the location for some time, and when I saw the ABC ownership transfer hit the wires, I reached out to him for the story. I wondered if the folks…

Wow, quite the slew of old-timers just closed, starting with the ever-quirky FORBES ISLAND, the floating barge disguised as an island that has been in the Pier 39 marina for over 20 years. It seems owner Forbes Kiddoo (the best sailor name ever) has retired), and we’ll have to…

Over the weekend, I took a field trip to Montclair to check out my chef buddy Rob Lam’s menu at his new spot with Marcus Garcia (previously wine director for Fleur de Lys), PERLE WINE BAR. It’s designed to be a comfortable place, whether you’re dining with…

Chef Ron Siegel has been a well-known chef at some of SF’s finer establishments (Michael Mina, The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton, Masa’s, Charles Nob Hill, and Aqua), as well as Yountville’s The French Laundry, and now after two decades of working for others, he has…

Color me impressed. Back in March, I wrote about the upcoming KUMA SUSHI + SAKE, from best friends Ryo Sakai (Pink Zebra, Domo) and Cory Jackson, and they reached out to let me know they are now softly open on Polk. Nice work, guys. The official opening is this Thursday August…

I know, you actually are reading that correctly. A $180 sandwich is coming to San Francisco from Japan’s Wagyumafia (careful, the video on their site is on blast), known as “Japan’s preeminent Kobe and Wagyu beef ambassadors and purveyors.” They basically buy the spendiest beef imaginable and feature…

While waiting for chef Robin Song to get his Korean-influenced project Junju off the ground after departing from Hog & Rocks, it ends up he has pivoted and is now the chef behind GIBSON, a restaurant opening in the soon-to-be-renovated boutique Hotel Bijou in the Tenderloin. His contemporary American menu…

Adriano Paganini’s Back of the House restaurant group has confirmed they are taking over the former La Urbana space on Divisadero and will be opening their 22nd restaurant in the location. Their PR team hints it will also be their 12th concept, we’ll just have to wait and…

Just in case you’re planning on grabbing a Ginger Rogers cocktail or raw oysters or their soft garlic pretzels with Vermont cheddar Mornay sauce (the best!) at ~ABSINTHE BRASSERIE & BAR~, the restaurant is currently closed for a refresh until Thursday September 7th. I’ll remind you when the…

A couple of quick notes for you fellow caffeine lovers. Just about to open in the Financial District is ENOUGH TEA & COFFEE, a small shop serving hot and cold coffee, espresso drinks, brewed tea, milk tea, fruit tea, and their Enough Milk Mousse Tea: black, green, or oolong with…