The Chatterbox

Okay gang, I’m really going to threaten your future ability to get into a pair of jeans any time soon with this post. (Let me welcome you to #kaftanlife.) Chef-owner Sarah Kirnon of MISS OLLIE’S in Oakland is popping up at ELDA in the Mission for the next…

Some unfortunate closures to report include the popular SOUTHERN PACIFIC BREWING, which reopened with outdoor seating for a bit, but sadly owner and SF native Chris Lawrence says it wasn’t enough to survive in this Eater piece. The nine-year-old brewery in the Mission is closed “but will continue to…

If you’ve ever managed to get a ticket to La Cocina’s storytelling event series, Voices from the Kitchen, or maybe you never got to attend because it always sold out, here’s your chance to watch on their YouTube channel on Thursday October 29th at 5:30pm. It…

Soft-opening today (Thursday October 1st) in Uptown Oakland is DAUGHTER’S DINER, a modern take on a classic diner from chef Keven Wilson (Perbacco, Volta, Picco, RN74) and his wife Justyna Wilson. They’re opening in the former Hawker Fare, and signed the lease in January—the pandemic obviously pushed…

When the news came out in June that the 38-year-old TOY BOAT DESSERT CAFE on Clement Street was closing, there was a sadness that swept through the city. SF native Amanda Michael of Jane the Bakery and Jane cafés tells me she was really depressed about it—she used to…

After being closed the past six months, it’s great to hear that 17-year-old ~TOWN HALL~ (since 2003!) has dusted off the pass and is back in action. Chef-owner Mitchell Rosenthal was interviewed by Eater about all the changes happening at the collection of restaurants he operates with his brother,…

Closed since the beginning of the pandemic, the ever-busy TRICK DOG bar is coming back this Thursday September 17th as a new, interim concept: QUIK DOG, operating out of Trick Dog’s space. The Bon Vivants Hospitality team is trying out this quick-food, takeout concept, focusing on burgers, hot dogs,…

Back in July, I wrote about the upcoming MARLENA RESTAURANT opening in the former Hillside Supper Club on Precita Park (read all the details here), and they’re now offering their picnic basket service every Thu-Sun afternoon, starting this Thursday September 17th (just in time for the clearing skies!). Each…

I was so, so sorry to read chef-owner Heena Patel’s post on Instagram that they were temporarily closing BESHARAM in Dogpatch due to alllll the difficulties of running a restaurant right now (please click to read it). Her soulful Gujarati dishes are one of our city’s treasures. Which…

There have been a bunch of happenings in the East Bay, and I want to give you a quick round-up of updates. Apologies for not personally following up with these owners for deeper stories here—I didn’t have cell service in the mountains this past week (it was great!…