The Chatterbox

Last week, I was invited to attend a preview of KAIYŌ on Union Street, and let’s just say you’re going to want to check out this spiffy restaurant and bar, even though I know Cow Hollow can be a tough sell for some folks. The owner is John…

Bayview has not just one but two new additions to their dining scene, and both are sequel restaurants from female chef-owners! Yes. Let’s start with the opening of CAFE ENVY from “Auntie” April Spears (of Auntie April’s and chicken and waffles fame). Her menu includes salads (like a…

Here are a couple quick sneak peeks of upcoming restaurant projects, and both involve chef Nick Balla, of Smokebread, and previously Duna, and Bar Tartine. He has been busy with his lunchtime Smokebread pop-up at The Perennial in SoMa, but according to this Forbes.com article, he has also been…

Just a couple quick updates here: first, Anthony Strong’s new Mission restaurant, PRAIRIE is targeting early October for the opening. Dishes on the “new school” Italian menu include: pane distrutto (giant, torn pieces of olive oil-toasted bread soaked in Early Girl tomato pulp, just like crunchy-juicy toast of a…

Your new cheese headquarters has arrived: THE CHEESE SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO has reopened in its new Ghirardelli Square home, the historic “apartment house” in the central plaza: a two-story freestanding brick house right by the mermaid fountain, with some spectacular views. It’s not only an awesome cheese school,…

In case you missed the announcement on Twitter, where it spread like guacamole, beloved TAQUERIA CANCÚN has reopened on Mission after being closed for months for an upgrade. Time to go snag a super al pastor burrito, like, ahora. 2288 Mission St. at 18th St., 415-252-9560. Also on Mission Street,…

Some fun pop-ups for you, starting with this amazing Sunday Supper at RITU INDIAN SOUL FOOD in the Mission (read more about the rebranded location in my Table Talk post), when chef-owner Rupam Bhagat will be cooking a three-course, family-style menu with his mom (Sudha), featuring family recipes. Sunday September…

There’s a new ofshoot of Alexander’s Steakhouse that has opened in SoMa called ALX, a gastropub open day and night. Executive chef Jessie Lugo (who trained with Acquerello’s Suzette Gresham and was most recently at Alexander’s Steakhouse SF) and her best friend, executive sous chef Emily…

Now open in Hayes Valley in the former Caffe Delle Stelle is DOPPIO ZERO (no relationship to SoMa’s Zero Zero) from Southern Italians Gianni Chiloiro and Angelo Sannino, who are also behind two South Bay locations of Doppio Zero and The Meatball Bar here in SF. They installed a…

Here are a few restaurants that are coming soon. First, Union Square is going to have yet another new project (in addition to ONE65) opening this fall: FREDS AT BARNEYS NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO, opening in the top floor of the store. Chef Mark Strausman’s menu will feature classics…