The Chatterbox

MENSHO TOKYO (some of my favorite ramen in the city) just opened a shop (today!) in The Market in the Twitter building, JIKASEI MENSHO. Jikasei, which means homemade, is offering a few kinds of ramen geared for takeout (after a great deal of R&D). They all come in…

WE ARE SOLD OUT! Thanks to all of you for supporting this year’s Hopper Holiday Gift Bag! One year ago, I launched the first Hopper Holiday Gift Bag, and it was such a success—thanks to YOU—that I decided to do it again this year. We all know…

One year ago, I launched the first Hopper Holiday Gift Bag, and it was such a success—thanks to YOU—that I decided to do it again this year. We all know how much our independent restaurants and pop-ups and food businesses continue to suffer from the pandemic, and yet…

After hitting a pandemic-related snag (they’re behind every corner, I swear), SORELLA is finally opening tomorrow, Wednesday December 8th. I broke the news about this new project from the Acquerello team last month, but here are a few updates, including links to the dinner menu (dishes include warm Parmesan…

Last week, I attended a friends-and-family test dinner of the newly opened THE MADRIGAL from Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group (Trestle, MAMA, The Vault Garden, The Vault Steakhouse). The former Corridor has been transformed into a stylish-yet-comfortable cocktail bar and restaurant, with a curving banquette in the dramatic and high-ceilinged dining…

After trying to do a quiet soft-opening run for the Western Addition/Nopa neighborhood last week (ha-ha, good luck, not in this town), AUTOMAT abruptly closed since the demand exceeded what they were planning on about five times over. SF, you cleaned the shelves! After taking a quick breather, they…

The folks behind the six-year-old Bodega in North Beach are soft-opening KEY KLUB in Lower Nob Hill’s former Hopwater Distribution this week, starting Friday December 10th. Bodega partners Lalo Luevano and Paria Sedigh are known for their natty wines and neighborhood-friendly focus, and have brought on Cellarmaker’s Sean…

Here’s a quickfire round of some coming soon projects. I was thrilled to see the news on Instagram that YES PUDDING is opening a spot in the Ferry Building Marketplace—bring on the savory and sweet custard puddings! Congrats to owner Quanisha Johnson on this great news; the grand…

Over on the ‘gram, ~DELFINA~ announced they have closed their parklet for the winter and are looking at reopening it in March. In the meantime, they’e embarking on a major remodel, working with architect Sarah Fucinaro and Roy Design to combine Delfina and Pizzeria Delfina into one space. When…

The holidays are here, whether you can believe it or not (yeah, it was 66 degrees yesterday, but let’s put the tree up and have pumpkin spice everything!). I know some of you are going to be looking for ideas of awesome gifts for your favorite food-lovin’ folks, so…