The Chatterbox

Just before I left town, I had the chance to check out a preview of the updated ELITE CAFÉ, and let’s just say you should be pretty pleased that they are now open! The 78-seat space is all spiffed up, with a fresh gray-blue paint job on the historic…

There are some new openings around town, starting with DAKSHIN, a fast-casual South Indian spot in the former Batter Bakery space on Polk in Russian Hill. Take a peek at the menu in this pic, which includes a thali plate, dosas, uttapam, and curries, like a prawn curry, Mangalore chicken,…

This column is already getting toooooo looooong, so I’m just going to give you some quick updates, and you can click through to the original sources for more details if you’re interested. Okay? Okay! The short-lived Gipsy Darling in the Marina will be replaced by a casual Filipino…

I originally wrote this last week and posted it on social media since I was dark for the week, but to recap, here’s the unfortunate news (along with some other sad news): I am really unhappy to report on the closure of one of my favorite places in SF:…

Here are some updates at places around town, starting with a look at who is going to be cooking at the upcoming ONSEN, a Japanese-inspired bathhouse opening in the former City Automotive building in the Tenderloin. While it’s primarily about a soaking pool (in the former mechanic’s pit)…

A couple of coffee closures around town: Blue Bottle Coffee has decided to close its four-year-old kiosk in the Heath Ceramics building—the last day will be Sunday October 16th. (I kind of wondered how long it was going to be there with the opening of the Tartine Manufactory just…

Paul Einbund has been planning and plotting his own project for years, while sharing his talents as a sommelier at top SF places like Frances, Octavia, Slanted Door, and Coi (and building up his collection of rare wines and spirits as well). He’s also had his chef and partner…

One of my favorite meals while in New York was at BABU JI, offering an inventive and updated version of Indian cuisine. So I was beyond happy to learn the unexpected news (originally via a tweet from Zagat) that owners and husband-and-wife team Jennifer and chef Jessi Singh are coming…

There’s a new frosty and fluffy treat for you to try on Divis, POWDER. Previously serving their NorCal version of Taiwanese shaved snow at Off the Grid, owners Mimi Hanley and David Chung now have a cute brick-and-mortar shop. They freeze their premium ingredients (filtered water and organic Straus…

The ladies at Lower Pac Heights’ GARDENIAS, Dana Tommasino and Margie Conard, have launched weekend brunch! The menu (go ahead, take a look) will shift up a bit weekly, but the recent version includes a soft scramble with tarragon, chives, and Fontina (um, heaven), and pork pozole verde with a…