The Chatterbox

There are some unfortunate closures to announce: ~BAR AGRICOLE~ is closing on April 15th, after ten years in their award-winning and beautifully designed SoMa space. What they didn’t mention in their newsletter is they are moving to a “luxury residential complex at 1550 Mission St., in late 2020” (via…

Thanks to an eagle-eyed tablehopper reader (thanks Alex!), I learned that a business named HONG KONG LOUNGE BISTRO is coming to the 99 Rausch condominium development in SoMa. Yes, big cheer, it’s from the same owner (Annie Ho) of the beloved Hong Kong Lounge II formerly at 5322 Geary,…

Hey, Polk Street, you’ve got a couple cute new spots on your drag! Who knew a former sex shop and smoke shop would transform into the très charmant MAISON DANEL, a French-style salon de thé (tea salon) and patisserie? There are exposed brick walls, tiled floors, a cobalt blue…

Well, that was quick: the new second location of DEVIL’S TEETH BAKING COMPANY is now open in the former Marla Bakery in the Outer Richmond. Bring on the egg biscuit sandwiches, along with cookies, muffins, cinnamon rolls, some lunchy options—from quiche to sandwiches—and now pizza (cheese and…

From Monday March 2nd through International Women’s Day (on Sunday March 8th), La Cocina is hosting the Week of Women in Food: seven nights of dinners featuring chefs of the upcoming La Cocina Municipal Marketplace. Unfortunately, most of the dinners are sold out, but you can still get tickets…

I am thrilled to announce the news that chef Rob Lam (Perle, Butterfly) is going to be opening a Vietnamese restaurant on Clement Street in the Inner Richmond, partnering with landowners Lily (Hue) Lieu and her sister, Lucy Lieu. It’s going to be called LILY, and they plan to…

SOLD OUT! TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST, PLEASE EMAIL MARCIA. Can you believe tablehopper is turning fourteen? Crazy. Of course, I love any reason to celebrate and get together, but this birthday party is going to be extra-special, because it’s all about following your heart (and talent). As…

The lines are already way too long at the first location of SHAKE SHACK in San Francisco, now open in Cow Hollow. The New York import is known for their classic burgers, chicken sandwiches, griddled flat-top dogs (no hormones or antibiotics), and crinkle cut fries, and something that isn’t…

Some big news came out last week that Tartine Bakery workers (at the original Tartine Bakery in SF, Tartine Manufactory, Tartine Inner Sunset, and Tartine in Berkeley) were trying to unionize in pursuit of better pay, job protection, and more—read the Chronicle story here. The latest update is Tartine…

After many years of running a restaurant at Gough and Grove, The Absinthe Group announced they’re closing BARCINO on February 15th. The team is going to be focused instead on opening ARBOR in the former Arlequin Cafe space; Barcino chef de cuisine Kaili Hill and general manager Michael Goss…