The Chatterbox

After Claudio Villani sold ALTOVINO on Nob Hill, new owners (and chef) Nick Kelly and his wife and wine director Calli Martinez Kelly just reopened the restaurant. The modern Italian menu will continue to feature seasonal and local ingredients, along with Kelly’s housemade and stuffed pasta dishes, plus some…

Some changes over at ~PRESIDIO SOCIAL CLUB~: after 14 years of business (and countless cocktails and whole pig roasts) in the Presidio, owner Ray Tang has decided to close the restaurant, and has converted it to Presidio Social Club Exchange. Alongside pastry chef Rene Cruz, they are turning the Exchange…

What the heck, the last couple weeks have been rough—we have some pretty big closures happening, and one of the biggest heartbreaks for many is TON KIANG, which is throwing in the towel after more than 40 years of serving so many faithful regulars their dim sum and Hakka-style…

While I was having brunch on Saturday at Scopo Divino (and taking pics for this week’s giveaway!), I heard the news that after delays (both Covid-related and the usual construction/SF delays), ROUTIER is finally opening from Belinda Leong and Michel Suas (partners in the neighboring B. Patisserie and…

Now, this is a little teaser, but I thought you’d like a bite of some good news, especially if you live in Dogpatch or Potrero Hill. It ends up Pim Techamuanvivit (who lives in the neighborhood) is going to be taking over the Piccino team’s fast-casual Noon All…

Now open in the former Jardinière in Hayes Valley is BAIA, originally announced in VegNews. This vegan Italian restaurant also launched simultaneously with a vegan sushi pop-up, Woodblock (more on that below). Since the restaurant is launching during Covid, they’re focusing on a casual and takeout-friendly version of their…

Man, we have some tough closures to announce. Some are sadly permanent, while others are going into hibernation to reconcept and try to ride this out until indoor dining returns. One of the quickest places (if not the first) to flip from a restaurant to a fully stocked general store/…

Great news for neighbors and fans of the former Hillside Supper Club: a couple is going to breathe new life into the space, Serena Chow Fisher and her husband David Fisher, opening MARLENA RESTAURANT. Serena will head pastry and front of house, while David is the chef. His background in…

First, I just have to share how happy I am to see that ST. FRANCIS FOUNTAIN is back open—it didn’t look good for a minute there…and things are still precarious for ALL restaurants. Please support this treasured SF diner (since 1918—yes, during the last pandemic!) with…

After two-and-and-half years on the Divisadero Corridor, BARVALE has decided to close, and in a couple weeks, the Back of the House restaurant group will be opening a pop-up location of Beretta. Hoodline has further details: the menu will be pretty much identical to the original on Valencia (antipasti, pizza,…