The Chatterbox

Some unfortunate news for Western Addition/Nopa peeps: ~MOJO BICYCLE CAFE~ is closing on Friday December 22nd, after 10 years of business. Earlier this year, owner Remy Nelson closed the bike shop in the back, and now we’re losing the entire café. Wah. And Mojo was also home to…

It’s the time of year when my inbox is utterly flooded with holiday meals, events, and more. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! :) I’m just going to put together a quick cheat sheet for you here, have fun out there! Events: This Thursday December 14th,…

Now open in the former Blackwater Station is James Syhabout’s fast-casual khao mun gai spot, HAWKING BIRD. For $12.95, you get khao mun gai made with free-range, organic, vegetarian-fed chicken from small and local family farms. The poached chicken (cooked in a rich broth) is served with chicken…

Opening this Thursday December 7th is BARVALE, the latest project from Adriano Paganini’s Back of the House restaurant group, its 22nd restaurant, but their first Spanish tapas bar concept. They are opening in the former La Urbana, right at the corner of Divisadero and Grove. As mentioned earlier in…

I have been following up with Joshua Skenes of Saison for the past month about some rumors I have been hearing about him opening a project in the former Chaya space (at 132 The Embarcadero), and today his PR team has finally released some details. Chef Skenes and wine director…

Back in 2015, it looked like ~QUINCE~ was going to be taking over the former Barrique, which was just across the street—the Tusks were planning to open a Spanish-inspired and casual spot (Bar Ventresca). That project didn’t pan out, but now an ABC license application shows the Tusks…

I’m always happy to have some new brunch options in the mix, and when it’s Indian brunch, then I’m downright stoked. Starting Saturday December 9th, Kavitha Raghavan of INDIAN PARADOX on Divis is going to be serving brunch from 11am-2pm. (Sundays are possible down the road.) There…

It’s that time of year again! ~BIX~ is the perfect setting for a holiday lunch, which is why they are open every weekday for lunch through Friday December 22nd. If there was ever a time for a two-martini lunch, well, this is it. On the flip side, it’s…

The 510 has a bunch of new brunches for you to check out, starting with DONATO & CO. in Berkeley, serving ciambellone, assorted pastries, and Italian-style egg dishes, including scrambled eggs with guanciale, and a potato-and-cheese frico cake with poached eggs. Chef Gianluca Guglielmi is making all kinds of breads,…

Some big news regarding one of the Wharf’s most beloved stalwarts: FISHERMEN’S GROTTO NO. 9 has reopened under new owner Chris Henry. It has had quite the thoughtful remodel, thankfully keeping its fabulous vintage style intact, just refreshed and gently updated. Henry bought the historic property back in…