The Chatterbox

New Orleans-inspired ALBA RAY’S in the Mission just started lunch and brunch service. You’ll find po’boys on Leidenheimer’s French bread, a muffuletta (chef Adam makes the bun in house), salads, and check this out: on Fridays, lunch patrons can purchase $1 MARTINIS. Whut. Brunch includes red…

Back in April, I reported that PARADISE PARK CAFE was coming to the former Actual Café in the NOBE (North Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville) neighborhood, historically known as Paradise Park. The grand opening is this Thursday August 17th, and 20 percent of the day’s proceeds will benefit the East Bay…

It’s such a satisfying feeling when the replacement for a sweet neighborhood spot that sadly closed (La Nebbia) is just as lovable, with equally kind and thoughtful owners. Yeah, Noe Valley, you should be really happy about the opening of ARDIANA tonight from Sharon Ardiana, of Gialina and Ragazza…

Just want to tear through some quick opening news for you: as mentioned previously in tablehopper, THE GROVE has now opened a location in the Design District, aka Showplace Square. You’ll find their usual approachable all-day menu and a patio. Hours are Mon-Thu 7am-10pm, Fri 7am-10:30pm, Sat 8am-10:…

After announcing the closure of longtimer BOCADILLOS last week, now the taker for the space has been revealed: Laurel Heights’ NICO. Owners Andrea and Nicolas Delaroque reportedly have been working on the deal for some time and hope to reopen in January in their new location. Scoop notes the space…

Last week, I got a call from Sam Mogannam, the vibrant owner of our beloved BI-RITE MARKETS, who was excited to share details about his plans to (hopefully) open a daytime café and kiosk in Civic Center flanking one of the upgraded playgrounds coming to the area (thanks to the…

While I’m sad to say farewell to ~POSTCARDS FROM LA COSTIERA~ (it just ended this past weekend), the latest concept at THE MINA TEST KITCHEN will be Mi Almita, lauching August 23rd. Michael Mina is partnering with Houston’s James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega (Xochi, Hugo’s, Caracol,…

This weekend is the 10th Outside Lands, and as of now, single-day tickets are still available (they’re anticipating a sellout later this week, so snag tickets while you can). There are an impressive 81 restaurants, 41 wineries, 30 breweries, and 6 cocktail bars in all this year! Here are…

Brunch in SF is one of our treasured pastimes (excuse me, contact sports). There are always places starting up brunch service, and then some sadly discontinuing it (I am currently pouring some out for Aster’s and Cala’s brunches, they were sooooo good). I think brunch is a smart…

Divisadero has yet another gorgeous café to add to the corridor, with SIGHTGLASS now open on the edge of the Lower Haight on a sunny corner at Page. It’s so nice after a few years of plywood to see this beautiful café emerge, full of custom work. Boor Bridges…