The Chatterbox

Have you noticed how suddenly chilly our weather has become? Brrrr. Yes, it’s perfect jook weather, one of my favorite dishes for breakfast or brunch on a chilly or rainy day. Think of it as the warm, fuzzy sweater of brunch dishes. (Some of you may know it as…

Did you ever get a chance to attend the two Vietnamese dinners I hosted with Feastly earlier this year, which sold out in less than 24 hours? Well, if you missed out on chef Rob Lam’s amazing food, or you would love to try some more of his dishes,…

Back in May, I mentioned a Cajun restaurant was coming to the Mission from Popsons Burgers and Causwells restaurant founder-CEO Alvin Garcia and chef-partner Adam Rosenblum, and we’re excited to be the first to announce the name: ALBA RAY’S. The name is a combination of Rosenblum’s daughter’…

How refreshing, there’s a new sushi counter that isn’t charging two bills for an omakase experience in SF. In fact, the omakase menu here, which features a salad/starter, 3 pieces of sashimi, 12 pieces of nigiri, and soup (owan), will put you back $78, and you even…

Opening this Friday December 9th in North Beach is DIP, the French dip-centered spot I mentioned earlier this year. Mahmoud “Mo” Khossoussi—owner of North Beach’s Maykadeh and Mo’s Grill, who is in his 70s and can’t stop, won’t stop—and his daughter, creative director Haleh…

Fans of the tasty khao man gai (Thai-style chicken and chicken rice) at ROOSTER & RICE in the Marina will now have a second location to visit in SoMa, according to Hoodline. You can get the original version (poached breast and thigh meat with jasmine white rice), or get skinless…

Wow, this is the end of an era: was sorry to learn RANGE is closing after almost 12 years of business on Valencia. So many cocktails, so many Sungold Zingers, so many coffee-rubbed pork shoulders… SFGate reports that Phil and Cameron West are closing their seminal Valencia Street restaurant at…

Here’s another chance to check out chef Robin Song’s JUNJU concept at a pop-up before he’s able to open his brick-and-mortar location. Come by Nightbird, where he is working right now, on Sunday December 18th or Monday the 19th to experience his seven-course tasting menu (you can…

A couple of fun additions to our local caffeination scene for ya. Over in the FiDi, CHAPTER TWO COFFEE has opened inside the Wildflower Cafe. You can enjoy Verve espresso drinks, plus matcha lattes, teas from T-We, bagels from Authentic Bagel Company, and pastries. Open Mon-Fri 7am-3pm. 411 Sansome St.…

Time to catch up on some East Bay news, starting with the announcement that CURRY UP NOW is expanding to Oakland with a 50-seat restaurant (plus 16 outside). The Indian street food restaurants and trucks are known for their tikka masala burrito and deconstructed samosa, but they also serve classic…