The Chatterbox

I’ve been speaking with one of the owners behind UNITED DUMPLINGS and doing some taste-testing over the past few months, and am happy to say they are opening this week: Wednesday October 14th! Can you even imagine the headaches of opening a first-time restaurant in this pandemic? This project…

Fellow lovers of New York and LA-style Jewish delicatessens and temples to pastrami, you’re gonna love this limited pop-up from Michael Dellar and Mark Dommen of One Market: Mark ‘n Mike’s.  The menu includes housemade Romanian hot pastrami, 12-hour smoked brisket on twice-baked rye (or challah), thinly sliced…

In the last tablehopper issue, I broke the news about ~CALIFORNIOS~ moving from its Mission location to SoMa, and now I can share the location because chef-owner Val M. Cantu has the keys to 355 11th Street, the former Bar Agricole. I caught up again with Cantu about the news,…

Oh, it’s sad to say the days of consommé and popovers with strawberry butter while gazing at Union Square (and watching models stroll by wearing clothes from different departments at Neiman Marcus) are over: THE ROTUNDA has closed indefinitely, according to this piece in Hoodline. 150 Stockton St. at…

Friends, our beloved CUESA is hosting a virtual version of their annual (and crucial) Sunday Supper fundraiser this year on Sunday October 18th: A Farm to Home Feast! Even though we can’t all get together to celebrate, we can feast on a four-course meal made by some of the…

For a change, there’s a smell of smoke in the air that is greatly desired and appreciated, and it’s coming from the (almost/sorta/kinda) soft-opened and much-awaited location of HORN BARBECUE in West Oakland. Pitmaster Matt Horn has been slowly, steadily, thoughtfully, and steadfastly working toward this…

A tablehopper reader spotted and sent me this Craigslist ad listing the ~CALIFORNIOS~ location for sale, and my heart dropped for a moment. But after talking with chef-owner Val M. Cantu, there’s some good news behind it. The award-winning, upscale, and downright fantastic Californios has been closed since the…

Back in August, I broke the news that chef Rob Lam (Perle) of the upcoming LILY on Clement was going to be offering a to-go version of the upscale Vietnamese restaurant, which was due to open in March with owners Lily and Lucy Lieu, but then Miss Rona did a…

After launching with their weekend picnic baskets, MARLENA RESTAURANT on Precita Park in Bernal has opened for outdoor dining Thu-Sat 5pm-9pm and Sun 5pm-8pm. You can get some duck jus poured tableside, yeehaw. Check out their $49, four-course menu here, and read up past details about the project here. 300…

After solely offering takeout and delivery service during the pandemic, AL’S PLACE has reopened with table service on a new and revamped patio (takeout is on hold for now). I had a chance to check it out at a preview last week, and was so impressed with the stylish…