The Chatterbox

SF long-timers will be sad to learn that POMELO on Judah has closed after almost 25 years of business—their last day was April 30th, 2022. Their closure announcement stated: “In addition to the loss of our lease and a financially devastating 2 years of pandemic, it has become an…

Recently, a dear friend and I were wondering aloud about the whereabouts of chef Loretta Keller and how she was doing as we all slowly make our way out of bunkers. It’s like the universe must have heard us, because I just received an email from her business partner…

It looks like the former Dosa on Fillmore location has new takers: SF Business Times reports the team behind Taj Campton Place Restaurant and Ettan in Palo Alto—chef Srijith Gopinathan and business partner Ayesha Thapar—as well as the recently opened Little Blue Door at State Street Market in…

Some new openings around town include MIJOTÉ, the new French bistro with a prix-fixe menu ($82) that will change weekly with the seasons, alongside a list of natural wines. Chef Kosuke Tada and his wife Grace turned the former Sasaki space around quickly (I just mentioned this project barely a…

Tragic news on the Wharf: after 97 years of business, the iconic ALIOTO’S is closing permanently, after shuttering for the pandemic the past two years. SF Business Times reports they’re getting approval from the Port of San Francisco to get out of their lease (and the $770,000…

I recently dined at the newly opened POMET in Oakland, and wanted to share some details about this interesting project with you. It’s from Aomboon Deasy, literally the farmer’s daughter of K&J Orchards, famous for their incredible fruits, but especially their Asian pears (they grow 10…

Opening in the former Venticello Ristorante on Nob Hill is BACK TO BACK, serving pizza, small plates, and natural wine. It’s from siblings Monica and Randall Hom, who were born and raised in SF, but have returned from New York to open this project. They’re first-time restaurant owners:…

Recently opened by the Mins Group (Sushi Hakko, Sushi Sato, Sushi Hon) is their latest project, SURA-GAN, offering a higher-end tasting menu of Korean dishes and luxury ingredients from chef Jongmoon Choi. He is inspired by recipes from history, and giving them a modern interpretation. (From their website: “Sura-Gan was…

ARANG, the Korean restaurant on Fillmore near Safeway in the Western Addition has reopened, serving a variety of Korean fried chicken dishes (soy sauce, sweet and spicy) and five new soups that look like they hit the spot, like chicken soup with rice, and beef dumpling with chicken, featuring a…

Some updates about closures around the Bay, starting with this temporary closure of MAISON NICO, who decided to commit to being an épicerie instead of a restaurant. Yay for us! In order to convert the space to be more efficient, they’re closing on Sunday April 3rd to make some…