The Chatterbox

You ready for your dream Italian brunch/lunch menu? Check out the goods at the newly open CICCINO in Nob Hill, from Italian Homemade Company’s GianMarco Cosmi. He was the opening chef there for five years (working with his brother, Mattia), and during the pandemic, he was at Rich…

Earlier this month, an eagle-eyed tablehopper reader let me know there was a public notice in the window for an alcohol license at the former LEOPOLD’S, and sure enough, an ABC license type 41 (beer and wine—eating place) is pending, listing Michael Lamina and Carla Anne Suntjeans. Lamina…

A couple new additions for you: ~AZIZA~ is now open for brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am to 2pm. Dishes include Moroccan-inspired twists on brunch classics, including saffron beghir (Moroccan semolina pancakes) with raw honey and sea salt smen, bee pollen, and citrus water honey; shakshuka; soft-boiled Jidori eggs;…

Some unfortunate closures include the upcoming shuttering of OLD DEVIL MOON, after six years of hospitality and good times in Bernal—their last day is Saturday November 19th. You can read their farewell note here and more in this follow-up from SFGATE—they’d love to see you for some…

After driving his bright red AL CARAJO trailer around town at locations like Spark Social and District Six, chef-owner Javier León has found a brick-and-mortar location in the Mission for his Mayan restaurant, which will have both his classic Yucatecan dishes as well as his creative and seasonally inspired dishes,…

I’m so impressed with the speedy turnaround for CASSAVA to update the former Pinocchio in North Beach, pass inspections, train staff, and close their Outer Richmond location (they were there for over 10 years)—yeah, owners Yuka Ioroi and Kristoffer Toliao have been pushing hard. (The renovations were led…

I have a sad piece of news to share: chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, TV personality, and longtime champion of Southern Italian food, Carlo Middione, passed away on September 26, 2022, at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. He was 86. He was an early and proud ambassador of authentic…

Big news from SF’s charcuterie HQ, FATTED CALF—they’re going to be closing their Hayes Valley shop at 320 Fell Street at the end of October “for a variety of logistical reasons,” according to a recent email. (Founders Taylor Boetticher and Toponia Miller opened the shop in 2010!…

Some new openings for you: LE MARAIS in the Castro just opened a crêpe window for to-go orders. If you haven’t had a chance to try the buckwheat galettes and crêpes at their Grande Crêperie in the Ferry Building, here’s your chance. (Read more in this Eater piece.…