The Chatterbox

Some new things are happening over at THE CHEESE SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO in Ghirardelli Square, starting with a change in management. Founder Kiri Fisher was in the process of selling the much-adored business just prior to the pandemic, and when the sale fell through, she was at a loss…

On Sunday evening, I was visiting a friend in Noe Valley and swung by the newly opened VILLAGE ROTISSERIE for a quick peek. This rotisserie chicken shop from an Aussie brother-and-sister duo is sure to be a takeout hit in the neighborhood, offering rotisserie chicken with your choice of sauces…

Big congrats to the LA SANTA TORTA taco truck team (cofounders Leo Oblea and Victor Guzman) on getting their first brick-and-mortar location (softly) open in the former Old Kan Beer & Co. taproom in West Oakland. The La Santa Torta trucks often pull up at breweries around the Bay, so…

After generously feeding so many people for just $5.50 per meal during the pandemic, I’m sorry to see the generous duo (Senijad Felic and Hasim Zecic) behind BISTRO SF GRILL are closing their doors. (You can read more about their moving personal history here.) Their farewell post mentions…

There are a bunch of new openings happening, starting with the latest and third location of FIORELLA in the Sunset (in the former Park Chow) from founders and co-owners Brandon Gillis and Boris Nemchenok. (Fun fact: it was also the site of the first American restaurant Nemchenok’s parents dined…

Hop on over to @tablehopper for pics of fantastic experiences I had at two new East Bay establishments, but first, I wanted to share some backstory on them here. Last week, I visited the brand-new LULU from chef-owner Mona Leena in Berkeley’s Gilman District. This is her first brick…

A couple weeks ago, Outer Richmond’s CASSAVA co-owner Yuka Ioroi excitedly posted a sneak peek of their upcoming (and spacious) North Beach location, which is the former Trattoria Pinocchio (this is such a breath of fresh air, considering the crazed tirade the previous owner posted in the windows last…

Some positive news to report, starting with this update that is rich with wok hei: LILY has brought back their now (in)famous #1 DB Douchebag Crab Fried Rice…but for a cause! I suggested the idea to chef Rob Lam (we’re good friends) that he should bring this…

Some unfortunate closures have rolled through, starting with IN SITU at SFMOMA, which completed their five-year term at the museum (bummer about that last year, thanks for nothing, Ms. Rona). An email shared, “It was an honor to learn from some of the most innovative, talented, and influential chefs in…

Quick heads up that RESTAURANT NISEI is planning to open in their brand-new Russian Hill location (previously La Folie) on August 18th, and they have released reservations to try their 12-course tasting menu ($157) that explores Japanese, homestyle, washoku cuisine with California seasonality and ingredients. Stand by for more details…