The Chatterbox

Opening tonight (May 29th) in the Outer Richmond is PEARL, an immediately likable corner restaurant that is just up the street from Pizzetta 211. The project is a collaborative partnership-ownership model with some Pizzetta 211 fam, including co-chefs Mel Lopez (Pizzetta 211, Baker & Banker, Aziza, Zero Zero) and Joyce…

Back in April, I wrote about BESHARAM, a restaurant from Heena Patel (of Rasoi), a La Cocina Incubator Program grad who has made a big impression with the flavors, execution, and creativity of her food, whether through her catering business or her CUESA Ferry Plaza farmers market stand. But with…

There are quite a few chef changes to report on, starting with the departure of chef Rebecca Boice from ~ZUNI CAFÉ~. She started at Zuni back in 2002, and after 10 years, left to cook elsewhere (in 2012), and then returned to Zuni in 2015, picking up the mantle after…

Back in February, I broke the news that chef Anthony Strong was taking over the Hog & Rocks location in the Mission, and now he’s ready to release some details about what he’s launching. The restaurant will be called PRAIRIE, and it’s an homage to his Midwestern…

Consider this a rapid-fire news update, just so you can go check things out in case you are a fan of soft openings or just want something to look forward to. I’ll have more details in the next tablehopper! Due to soft open on Thursday May 31st is DOUGLAS,…

A week ago, 60 Minutes dropped a bombshell of a segment outlining further (horrendous) allegations of sexual harassment by New York-based restaurateur Ken Friedman, who is a co-owner of our ~TOSCA CAFE~ with April Bloomfield. The segment also confirms Bloomfield is ending the partnership (finally). You can read more in…

Last week, I took a break from the madness of my new business launch and event hosting and soaked in the tranquil and chic atmosphere at the newly opened BIRDSONG in SoMa. The former AQ has been given quite the makeover from the design firm SAINT. There’s a handcrafted…

It kind of kills me that I had to miss the preopening party of this new beauty, because all I want is to head over and spend an evening in one of their spiffy chairs, stat. This long-awaited project (oh, SF, why do you make it so hard to open…

Many of you got a taste of the dishes at Donato Scotti’s CENTO OSTERIA at the tablehopper preview party a couple of weeks ago (thanks for comin!), and now everyone can head over since it’s officially open, right on the Embarcadero. It’s a handsome and spacious room,…

Some quick updates on the north side of town: coming to Cow Hollow in September will be another location of Big Night Restaurant Group’s Marlowe: COW MARLOWE. Eater reports the popular SoMa bistro is opening in the former Eastside West, and chef Jennifer Puccio will be adding some dishes…