The Chatterbox

I was so sorry to be swiping through Instagram and see one of my favorite new taco spots has closed, LOS GUISADOS DEL PATRÓN. Their extensive menu of guisados was so good—it was stewed meats heaven—at a crazy-affordable price, and with such nice hospitality. Truly kind. I will…

Some big changes are in the works for MISS OLLIE’S OAKLAND—chef-owner Sarah Kirnon is closing the beloved restaurant concept as it existed and is working on a new, Black community-centered, nonprofit concept. The Eater piece states: “Instead, starting in January, it will morph into a new project called…

People who love food products [raises both hands], mark your calendars for Friday January 22nd (5:30pm), for the Good Food Awards Ceremony! With a livestream viewing ticket, you can be the first to hear who is named a 2021 Award Winner, with a special opportunity to get a glimpse…

Wow, that sold out fast, twice! Thank you so much! WOWZA! We have a waitlist for the second version of the bag, which is $247—it includes a larger bottle of Miss Ollie’s hot sauce and comes in a tote from The Anchovy Bar! There is still room on…

I’m so thrilled to announce the launch of the first-ever Hopper Holiday Restaurant Gift Bag! This is a last-minute idea, and I must be certifiably crazy to be doing this, but this elf has a few tricks up her sleeve and access to Santa’s spare turbo sleigh to…

On Sunday evening, I received word about the upcoming permanent closure of the 157-year-old CLIFF HOUSE on December 31st, due to a mishandling of the contract by the National Park Service (NPS). Dan and Mary Hountalas have been proprietors of this historic location since 1973, and the way they’re…

I wanted to share some quick notes with you on some fab takeout options you can take advantage of, and this one is especially important: sadly, last Wednesday morning (December 9th), the central oven at REEM’S CALIFORNIA MISSION exploded, creating damage beyond repair. The five employees who were present…

If you follow me on Instagram, I’ve been posting up a STORM of holiday eats and treats, from Peking duck dinners to latke parties to prime rib feasts for Christmas. There are too many for me to write up, so check my Highlights for Holiday! and look for the…

There’s a new Latin-Caribbean restaurant in the former Soluna: CHAO PESCAO, which translates to “see you later alligator.” Soluna owner Rene Denis is pulling from his Cuban-Colombian upbringing, offering homey dishes like empanadas vallunas (three kinds of Colombian empanadas, made with a masa dough and fried), pan de bono…

I was so sad when La Cocina entrepreneurs LA GUERRERA’S KITCHEN closed their Fruitvale location in March, their first brick and mortar, but great news: owners Reyna Maldonado and her mother, Ofelia Barajas, are reopening in the former Tamarindo Antojeria space in Old Oakland (another beloved business). The maiz…