The Chatterbox

Bwok bwok, it sounds and smells like flame-grilled, Portuguese piri piri chicken… Yup, due to open this week in the Mission is PIRI PICA from chef Telmo Faria (Tacolicious, Uma Casa) and Khalid Mushasha (Lolinda, Black Cat), a fast-casual spot in the former Frjtz. As I mentioned in a previous…

Some new openings to report on, starting with Z & Y BISTRO, which just opened. This outpost from the SF favorite ~Z & Y RESTAURANT~ is focused on serving 18 kinds of Japanese-style yakitori “with a Chinese twist” (hello, bacon-wrapped shrimp), but you can also score their signature spicy dishes,…

Some updates for you around town, starting with the news that over at JONES, there’s someone in the kitchen and she’s gonna need a big hairnet! Local treasure and drag KWEEN Juanita MORE! is known for hosting her annual Sunday Pride Party there, but has now taken over…

I’m always happy to hear when farmerbrown’s Jay Foster is up to something, and this time it’s a new project coming to the Fillmore this mid-September: ISLA VIDA AFRO-CARIBBEAN GRILL. This new restaurant is going to be a casual spot, “inspired by the islands, people, and lifestyle…

First it was the Boba Guys opening at 838 Divisadero under Che Fico, and now opening just next door is THEORITA from the Che Fico team. As I previously mentioned, the name is in homage to pastry chef Angela Pinkerton’s grandmother and is a pie shop and dinette. It’…

Some quick notes for you: It’s tough to find some true al pastor tacos in SF with meat shaved off the trompo, but that’s what Miguel Escobedo (previously Papalote—he sold his portion of the business back to his brother) is doing at Al Pastor Papi. Escobedo’s…

A couple of quick updates, first in the Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group: chef Robin Song has moved on from Gibson (as I previously reported) and is now chef de cuisine of STONES THROW in Russian Hill. He’s collaborating with group executive chef Jason Halverson on updating the menu, come…

Man, these are some lousy pieces of news about places closing. Sorry to report that FiDi’s CITY COUNTER is no longer open and serving their luncheonette-inspired menu. We’ll have to see what’s next for owner Harper Matheson and talented chef Sean Thomas. 115 Sansome St. at Bush.…

Outside Lands is coming up this weekend, and I can’t believe I’m actually seeing some sun in the forecast for Friday. I’ll believe it when I see it (and feel impelled to have an iced drink in my hand). But that’s what’ll be nice about…

Big news at ~SAISON~: chef-owner Joshua Skenes has brought on famed chef Laurent Gras (Chicago’s L20), and I remember being stunned by his cooking when he was at Fifth Floor back in, oh, 2003. Welcome back to SF, chef. Skenes is positioning the hire as a collaboration at Saison,…