The Chatterbox

I know I was not the only one greatly concerned about the health of chef-owner Jacqueline Margulis of Cafe Jacqueline, and if CAFE JACQUELINE was going to make it through the pandemic and reopen, but it looks like the universe wanted to reward us all with some wonderful news! The…

The space that previously held Foxsister/Great Gold in the Mission is now home to DONAJI, a casual Oaxacan restaurant from the couple behind Tamalitos Catering, known for their stand at the Outer Sunset farmers’ market, CUESA’s Mission Community Market, and VA farmers’ market. Chef Isaí Cuevas and his…

I know many of you have been wondering about Michael Mina’s project opening in the former Guaymas in Tiburon, and it’s THE BUNGALOW KITCHEN BY MICHAEL MINA, opening Wednesday November 3rd. It’s a sister restaurant to The Bungalow in Southern California’s Belmont Shore. Mina partnered with…

Some quick opening updates: over in the Marina, Dogukan Solmaz, Roberto Sbaraglia, and Alessandro Vasselli—who are behind the popular Roma Antica—are opening ‘NA PIZZA in the former Pluto’s, most likely in November. Chef Domenico de Angelis will be serving authentic pizza napoletana, as well as calzone, appetizers…

Wanted to share some quick East Bay stories and links with you: Sadly, the epically delicious JUNE’S PIZZA in West Oakland’s O2 Artisans Aggregate (alongside Soba Ichi) has closed (originally announced in this Instagram post)—ends up they were operating renegade-style and didn’t have any permits. But,…

Some quick updates I wanted to get on your radar, starting with congrats to the BOULEVARD team on their big refresh and reopening! After holding it down for 28 years (since 1993!) as our quintessential SF restaurant, it was time for an update to the interior and menu. Chef (and…

Some new openings around town include FAMILY NAME, which just opened inside City Beer Store in SoMa. It’s a California bistro with Asian ingredients and touches, serving bites and dinner inside or on the patio (it’s separate from the City Beer Store menu). Dishes include smoky deviled eggs…

Moving into the former Douglas market in Noe Valley is LA LUCHA COFFEE BAR, a second location of the daytime café that runs out of Thee Parkside in Potrero Hill. Owner Malia Spanyol is excited to be opening in Noe Valley, the neighborhood she used to live in when she…

Whatcha doing on Sunday October 17th? The best answer would be opening the dine-in box for CUESA’s Sunday Supper: A Farm to Home Feast and tuning in to their live virtual gala (7pm-8pm)! This annual event is crucial to help CUESA keep their education and food access programs thriving,…

The former Ne Timeas Restaurant Group is now the Flour+Water Hospitality Group, and their first project is the transformation of the former and upscale Central Kitchen into PENNY ROMA. This will be a more-affordable and Italian concept from chefs Thomas McNaughton and Ryan Pollnow, with crudos, classic pasta dishes…