The Chatterbox

After being closed for the duration of the pandemic, Stacy and Adam Jed’s Bluestem Brasserie is returning as BLUESTEM RESTAURANT & MARKET, with a new menu focused on California coastal fare and a flexitarian style, an all-day retail market (grab pastry chef Lori Baker’s cinnamon crunch babka muffins,…

It’s always uplifting to hear about new openings, and when dessert is involved, even better! Coming to SoMa in the former Picnic on Third space is the first brick-and-mortar storefront for FLOUR & BRANCH, a baked goods and gifts company from owner Lauren Arnsdorff. She was launching her business…

I heard one of the more disheartening pandemic landlord stories recently from Meg Ray of MIETTE, who relayed why they had to move Miette from their Jack London Square location. When all their locations were closed during the pandemic and they couldn’t pay their rent, Miette negotiated a rent…

This part of my column is always a bummer. Some closures to report include the 29-year-old ~VENTICELLO~, which has been closed throughout the pandemic (their business relied on tourists staying in nearby hotels). Sibling owners Christina and Michael Deeb will continue to run the nearby Nob Hill Cafe. 1257 Taylor…

Some exciting news from the Acquerello team: they’re transforming the former ~1760~ on Polk into SORELLA, which means “sister” in Italian (it’s like Acquerello’s little sister who is chic and fun). Look for cocktails, cicchetti (Venetian snacks and bar bites), and an Italian menu from Acquerello’s…

After avidly following Corey Lee of Benu’s latest project on Instagram for months (and he shared the idea for it years ago), I was so happy to see the email announcement when reservations were finally open for SAN HO WON (if you follow @tablehopper’s Instagram Stories, you would…

Congrats to chef Kristina Liedags Compton and co-owner Rachel Sillcocks on getting their first brick-and-mortar breakfast restaurant open, HILDA AND JESSE, after popping up for months, fundraising, hand-delivering and selling their trademark Pancakes without Boundaries (a double stack of fluffy pancakes topped with delightfully smoky seasonal fruit) at Bi-Rite Market…

After being closed for the duration of the pandemic, chef-owner Eskender Aseged has reopened the dining room of RADIO AFRICA KITCHEN in Bayview. During the pandemic, Radio Africa cooked meals for the community with Great Plates Delivered and SF New Deal, as well as offering takeout family meals, but now…

Some quick opening updates for you, starting with FLORI’S in Russian Hill, serving Salvadoran and Mexican dishes, ranging from pupusas to ceviche, mole, tacos, and burritos, plus beer, wine, frosé, and sangria. Open Tue-Thu 12pm-9pm, Fri 12pm-10pm, Sat 2pm-10pm, and Sun 12pm-8pm. 2360 Van Ness Ave. at Green. The…

Last week, a good friend let me know something was up at ~OLIVETO~ in Rockridge, and a couple days later, Nosh broke the news that co-owners Bob Klein and Maggie Blyth Klein have decided to retire after 35 years (although Bob will continue his Community Grains project). Oliveto has been…