The Chatterbox

Some big news at FiDi longtimer PALIO RESTAURANT: after making it through some positive lease negotiations, owner Martino DiGrande is going to be closing the restaurant on May 28th for a renovation and refresh. He plans to reopen in August. He’s excited to make it truly his own after…

Many of us love our salmon, so let’s give thanks to the Golden Gate Salmon Association, which helps protect our beautiful Northern California rivers and fights to keep fresh water flowing from the mountains to the oceans—crucial for salmon migration. Coming up on Friday May 18th is the…

German beer and sausage lovers will mourn the upcoming closure of SCHMIDT’S in the Mission, which is serving its last dinner on Saturday May 26th and its last brunch on Sunday May 27th. Eater reports that after eight years in the location, co-owner Christiane Schmidt has decided to close…

Did you get your ticket yet? No? You don’t want to hang out over aperitivi, cocktails, salumi, roast pig, pasta, and wine for just $50? Whatsamatta wit you? Tutti a tavola a mangiare! A few weeks ago, I shared the latest details about Donato Scotti’s (of Donato Enoteca…

Big news: Bangkok native and chef-owner Pim Techamuanvivit (~KIN KHAO~) has been named chef at Bangkok’s NAHM, an extraordinary restaurant I enjoyed immensely during my visit to Thailand last year. (The restaurant first opened in London, and then inside the COMO Metropolitan Bangkok; chef David Thompson, an Aussie, is…

Opening just in time for a soft opening on Cinco de Mayo is PAPI RICO, a Puerto Vallarta-inspired cantina in the Castro (in the former Dante’s Table). Owners Rick Hamer and Bill Vastardis (Finn Town) will be bringing beachy vibes in the food and cocktails, as well as a…

Congrats to Hayes Valley’s BAKEWORKS on opening their second location in the SFPUC (San Francisco Public Utilities Commission) building. Bakeworks is a nonprofit social enterprise that helps provide employment and training for people with disabilities, or who are homeless or otherwise at risk. (It’s a part of Toolworks,…

Happy Birthday to KAHNFECTIONS, celebrating their first year in the Mission with the introduction of a crispy chicken karaage sandwich, served on one of their amazing fresh biscuits with wasabi furikake, wasabi aioli, and Japanese pickled vegetables. On the weekend of May 4th-6th, 100 percent of the proceeds from the…

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote that Reem Assil (of Reem’s California) had opened DYAFA for lunch service in the former Haven at Jack London Square in Oakland, and now dinner has launched. You can survey the menu, which also includes cocktails, wine (riesling flights!), and beer selected…

You ready to hang out over some aperitivi, salumi, roast pig, and pasta? I think I know the answer! A couple weeks ago, I shared the latest details about Donato Scotti’s (of Donato Enoteca and CRU in Redwood City and Donato & Co. in Berkeley) first SF restaurant coming…