The Chatterbox

I’ve been keeping you posted about the opening of chef Anthony Strong’s PRAIRIE in the former Hog & Rocks location in the Mission, and now I have a firsthand update for you since I was invited for an opening night meal last week! He’s done an impressive…

Congrats to Jay Foster, Matthew Washington, and Erin Traylor for getting ISLA VIDA AFRO-CARIBBEAN GRILL open in the Fillmore District—they just did a trial run over the weekend! Boom. Isla Vida will be open again this Wednesday, serving up wood-fired meats like jerk rotisserie chicken, tostones, Cubanos, and made-to-order…

Last week, I attended a preview of LUKE’S LOBSTER, an import from the East Coast (the founders are third-generation lobsterman Luke Holden and partner Ben Conniff). It’s a fast-casual spot, focused on lobster, crab, and shrimp rolls in buttered, split-top rolls, plus clam chowder, lobster-corn chowder, Patagonia Provisions’…

Another week, another new food hall project (you read about La Cocina’s big Municipal Marketplace project, right?)! This one is going to be an extension of The Market in the Twitter building: The Market Square Food Hall, a 14,000-square-foot project from Chris Foley, a local real estate investor…

Fans of ARSICAULT BAKERY (famous for their croissants, and other amazing baked goods) will be happy to hear owner-baker Armando Lacayo is opening a new location in Civic Center next year, “where he’ll eventually serve more of his signature croissants and kouign amanns, plus new offerings like sourdough bread…

Was sorry to read that LA VICTORIA BAKERY has closed after 67 years in the Mission. You can read more about the family dispute that brought it down in this Chronicle article. 2937 24th St. at Alabama. BOTELLÓN in the Castro has closed less than one year in business. Neighbor…

I have some local food news updates for you, starting with the announcement of the nominations for the Golden Gate Restaurant Association’s third annual Saucy Awards! Take a look to see who is up for Chef of the Year, Beverage Professional of the Year, and many more categories, 21…

It was already unexpected news when CAMINO’s owners Russell Moore and Allison Hopelain announced they’re closing their 10-year-old Oakland restaurant at the end of December (operating costs and staffing are a challenge, a problem throughout the Bay Area, and they’re also ready for a break). Their other…

A couple weeks ago, I was able to take a peek inside the brand-new ANGLER at a preview party for World’s 50 Best Talks, and the former Chaya has been converted in quite the spiffy waterfront restaurant. Owners Joshua Skenes and Mark Bright of the three-Michelin-starred Saison have already…

Well, this is exciting: Craig and Annie Stoll are expanding their ~PIZZERIA DELFINA~ mini-empire with a new downtown location, coming to the former A.G. Ferrari at 688 Mission Street at 3rd Street. Craig tells me they have been looking for a location in the area for about ten years—…