The Chatterbox

Dim sum fanatics (and Instagram stunt food aficionados) have been eagerly anticipating the opening of PALETTE TEA HOUSE (no relation to Palette in SoMa), and it’s now open in Ghirardelli Square (in the former Waxman’s space). Eater reports there are “127 seats in the main dining room, 19…

Folks living in SoMa and Giants fans will soon have a new location of THE BRIXTON to dine at, due to open Friday May 3rd. The first location is on Union Street in Cow Hollow, which opened eight years ago, and is currently getting renovated. Hat Trick Hospitality (Adam Snyder,…

Some great news about local chefs and pop-ups finding permanent spaces, starting with Shawn Naputi and general manager Shawn Camacho of the Guamanian PRUBECHU, who are moving into the former Aster space (they had to leave their previous location on Mission St. when their rent got jacked up). With the…

Yup, it’s another week of reporting on classic SF establishments that are closing. Gah, the San Francisco I knew just keeps shuttering. The latest casualty is ELITE CAFE, which is closing after service this Sunday April 21st, after 38 years on Fillmore. Owner Andy Chun (Schroeder’s, Press Club)…

Looking for a brand-new brunch spot (which is conveniently starting on Easter Sunday, April 21st)? The recently opened ABRAZO in Russian Hill is launching brunch on Sundays throughout the summer months from 11am-3pm, and then opening back up at 5:30pm for regular dinner service. Here’s a sample brunch…

There are some upcoming events from important SF organizations that could use your support—and you’ll have a great time being there. Thanks for taking a look. You feeling some spring fever? You won’t want to miss First Bloom: Spring Cocktails of the Farmers Market on Wednesday April…

Over at Oakland’s Jack London Square, there’s a new restaurant that has opened in Crooked City Cider Taproom called TOWN SQUARE EATS. My friend Rob Lam and Helen Chandra (Perle Wine Bar) have partnered with their friends James and Lea Yu (Great China) to build out the kitchen…

Now open in SoMa is PALETTE from chef-owner Peter J. Hemsley, previously a sous at Quince, who trained in Paris, including time with Alain Passard (L’Arpege). His menu of creative California cuisine includes the Palette flatbread, Monterey globe artichoke fries, housemade kielbasa, and a whole spit-roasted chicken (the press…

Just before I left town, I was invited to a preview dinner at COMMONS CLUB, the new restaurant inside of the new Virgin Hotels San Francisco in the Yerba Buena District in SoMa (the second to open, the first was in Chicago). The space is pretty shag-tastic—there’s The…

Taking the place of Theorita, just downstairs from Che Fico, will be CHE FICO ALIMENTARI, from chef David Nayfeld, pastry chef Angela Pinkerton, and partner Matt Brewer. You’ll be able to pick up housemade salumi (including their ridic ‘nduja), breads like ciabatta and focaccia, plus pastries and gelato from…