The Chatterbox

How many of you are as obsessed with jook or congee as I am? It’s the only thing I want when I am under the weather or hungover, or when it’s a cold and rainy morning. It’s also my favorite way to use a leftover turkey or…

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,…

Opening this Friday December 2nd is chef Ryan Scott and business partner Rick Hamer’s FINN TOWN in the Castro, taking over the former Barracuda. It’s designed to be an upbeat and lively space (a “tavern with a twist”), with two bars, two happy hours, big booths, and plenty…

After working at numerous sushi counters around town (like Maruya, Omakase), chef-owner Masaki Sasaki has opened his own counter with chef-owner Takanori Wada (Hamano), SASAKI, in the former American Grilled Cheese Kitchen. The minimalist 12-seat restaurant offers a nightly omakase menu of some smaller dishes, 13 pieces of nigiri, dessert,…

After being open for 15 years in Noe Valley, neighborhood bistro LE ZINC closed its doors. But fear not, Francophiles, because taking its place is CHEZ MARIUS, from Laurent Legendre of Glen Park’s Le P’tit Laurent, and previously Clementine Restaurant and Bistro Clement (Marius is his middle name,…

It seems that ~LA URBANA~ has closed after three years on Divisadero. A sign that has been up for a bit mentioned being closed for renovations, but Scoop heard word from a worker that the restaurant had closed for good. Unfortunately there hasn’t been an official statement from the…

Some quick tidbits for you, starting with a breakfast/lunch spot in the Inner Richmond, 6TH AND B, which should give you a hint about their corner address. The menu has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a quinoa bowl or eggs Benny, with panettone French toast for…

Yup, the holiday crush is on, and it’s time to schedule some fun lunches. While I’m sorry I won’t be hosting another two-martini lunch event at ~BIX~ this year, you can still duplicate it by swinging by during their holiday lunch hours. Bix will be open for…

A couple of months ago I mentioned BABU JI was coming to the former Nostra on Valencia, and this playful-yet-precise Indian restaurant has now opened. Owners Jennifer and chef Jessi Singh are from Melbourne, but are known for their restaurant in New York. The menu is very similar, with the…

A bunch of smaller openings for you to note, including PHLOX COMMONS, which just opened in the former Saha at the Hotel Carlton (the owner, Ryan Olson, previously worked at Saha—it ends up he’s a big hiker, and phlox is everywhere on his California hikes). The 49-seat room…