The Chatterbox

The lines are already long at the brand-spanking-new ~WISE SONS DELI~ in the Mission. Owners Evan Bloom and Leo Beckerman are gonna be busy boys smoking, baking, making, and serving their pastrami sandwiches on housemade bread, Reubens, smoked trout salad sandwiches, matzo ball soup, bialys, babka, and more (and you can come by for lox on Beauty’s Bagels on Saturdays). You can peek at these pics of the menu a friend sent me over the weekend; here’s the main menu and here’s the breakfast/brunch menu. Please note their Tuesday stand at the Ferry Building will continue. Hours (for now) are Wed-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-4pm, closed Mon-Tue.

Charles Phan has yet another project in his wheelhouse, a new bar and restaurant at Pier 3, according to the Scoop. The press release mentions the 1,300-square-foot bar and restaurant (secured through Alicia Esterkamp Allbin of San Francisco Waterfront Partners) is going to be a departure from his other restaurants in The Slanted Door Group, focusing on the cuisine and cocktails of New Orleans and the South.

Bar manager Erik Adkins (who has worked with Phan for the past nine years) is going to drive the cocktail program, which is the centerpiece of the project. Olle Lundberg will design the space; the canoe you see here was part of Lundberg’s collection, and is also inspiring some of the design details. More details will be revealed in coming months, but for now the targeted opening date is summer 2012.

Last year, we heard about NOPA neighbor Ivan Hopkinson trying to open the Fulton Street Brewpub in the former Fulton Street Bar space at Masonic. Now this article in Local Addition mentions he’s trying to open his brewery and restaurant in the former Auto City Repair and Body Works on Divisadero in the Western Addition. It would be called ~BARREL HEAD BREW HOUSE~, but first the team needs to get through permits, funding, and securing various licenses. Here’s hoping it all comes together, because it would be a fantastic addition to the neighborhood. 834 Divisadero St. at McAllister.

The Mission neighborhood is never short on news: first, I was beyond excited to read in Eater about Alamo Drafthouse Cinema proposing to restore and open a theater in the long-abandoned New Mission Theater. I loved the experience I had watching two films at Drafthouse theaters in Austin last year at SXSW (food and drinks are brought to you). There would be five screens (one would be a large screening room), a bar, and a range of films would be screened, from classic to indie to foreign, plus live events. Be sure to look at all the photos posted on Facebook of the interior of the theater—I am thrilled to think of it being restored to its formerly grand self. And this thoughtful letter from Alamo Drafthouse’s founder Tim League only makes me want to have it happen faster! Follow the proposed Alamo Drafthouse at the New Mission on Facebook for more. 2550 Mission St. at 22nd St.

Scoop announces Gus Murad is closing the dining room at ~MEDJOOL~ for renovations, but is keeping the roof deck open. Some tipsters on Twitter planted the rumor that the Beretta folks are taking over, and this post on Mission Mission says, “oh it’s true they are! my man is one of the new managers at Beretta. should be awesome.” 2524 Mission St. at 21st St.

On Valencia, ~LIMON~ has converted into a Limon Rotisserie, according to the Inside Scoop. Considering the lackluster meal I had there a few weeks ago, I’d say this is a good move. People want the chicken! 524 Valencia St. at 16th St., 415-252-0918.

Mission Loc@l writes a proposed pub, ~MISSION PUBLIC SF~, is in the cards to open on Mission at 15th Street, reportedly serving California beers and small plates. Owner Anthony Shuton first needs to get approval from the Planning Commission to convert the former hair salon into a full-service restaurant. Stand by. 1910 Mission St. at 15th St.

In the “yay, approvals!” category, ~LOCAL’S CORNER~ got the go-ahead to open in a former corner store. Construction is nearly complete, and it should be opening for breakfast and lunch (Tue-Sun) soon. The next round of approvals is needed for the 16 outdoor seats and serving beer and wine (which is when dinner would kick in). 2500 Bryant St. at 23rd St.

Right on time, ~PARK TAVERN~ is launching brunch this weekend, and tablehopper is the first to get a look at chef Jenn Puccio’s killer menu. It has some clever options, like a toast section that includes sourdough rye, smoked salmon, horseradish cream, and cress ($8), or sourdough, Dungeness crab, and Green Goddess ($9); Anson Mills cornmeal pancakes, Meyer lemon curd, and strawberry compote ($10); and heartier dishes like country ham steak and poached farm egg, Savoy cabbage and fingerling potato slaw, grainy mustard, and hollandaise ($17). I laughed over the adult smoothie (banana, bourbon, and coffee, $10), and there are a variety of eye-opener cocktails and pitchers, too. You’ll also find some treats from Starter Bakery, like Breton butter cake. Hours are Sat-Sun 11am-2:30pm, with the bar open all day.

And over in the Upper Haight, a tweet from ~PARADA 22~ announced they are now serving weekend brunch, starting at 9am. The menu includes some eggy basics, plus chorizo and eggs, huevos rancheros, and more (almost everything is under $10).

Due to open on Monday February 27th is ~CASSAVA BAKERY + CAFÉ~ in the Outer Richmond (formerly Le Bread). Husband-and-wife team Yuka Loroi (Starbelly) and chef Kristoffer Toliao (Luce) originally did some pop-up dinners around town, but now they have their own place. The sample menu mentions some simple breakfast items (although there is also “Japanese Breakfast” with stuffed rice balls, miso soup, onsen tamago, and housemade pickles), while lunch brings soups (potato and ham, lentil), salads, and panini (like meatloaf on challah), plus fresh-baked cookies, empanadas, and quiches. There will also be Ritual Roasters Coffee served. Hours will be 7am-7pm daily. 3519 Balboa St. at 36th Ave., 415-640-8990.

Joining the LuLu/Oola/Zero Zero zone on Folsom Street will be ~JAMBER~, according to LiveSoMa and Eater. Owner Jess Voss is opening a “wine pub” with her brother Matt, and will serve 20 California wines and 10 beers on tap. It’s designed to be a casual and comfortable place to hang out (the menu will be focused on comfort food). The 50-seat space also has an enclosed patio. Look for a May opening. 858 Folsom St. at 4th St.

There are way too many opportunities for me to make crude jokes here, so I’m going to bite my tongue and sit on my hands and just present the facts: opening on Thursday March 15th in North Beach is ~THE PENTHOUSE CLUB & STEAKHOUSE~. Yes, there will be GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS, plus a 20-foot video wall, two stages, two levels of seating (including the “Make It Rain” section, not sure I want to inquire more about that one), and this is what is kind of blowing my mind: the largest Champagne display in Northern California (now, what kinds of Champagnes are in that display is another matter entirely). The press release mentions steaks and reserve wines, but that’s about all we know for now. The club will be open for lunch and dinner. 412 Broadway at Montgomery, 415-391-2800.

A few closures around town: Eater reports ~LE BORDEAUX~ in North Beach has closed after barely six months in business. 524 Union St. at Stockton.

This is a little late, but a tablehopper tipster let me know ~DELI-UP CAFE~ in the Mission closed at the beginning of the year. It has a nice patio in the back; here’s hoping someone cool opens something good in there. 2200 Bryant St. at 20th St.

Closing on March 31st is ~LA BARCA~ in the Marina, open since 1963. As reported in the Scoop, new owners Tod Alsman and Chris Fogarty (R Bar and Wreck Room) and Cass Fegan (Sloane) are partnering with La Barca owner Jimmy Bernard’s son, Vance Bernard, who is taking over for his father. The name and concept are in development, and they are currently looking for a chef to do an approachable New American menu. Gi Paoletti is behind the redesign. 2036 Lombard St. at Fillmore.

After that mess of a flood in October, ~MISS PEARL’S~ in Oakland is reopening. And what a night to do so: tonight, on Mardi Gras! Designer Anthony Laurino has made some changes to the décor, but chef Eddie Blyden will still be rocking his menu of modern Southern dishes made with local ingredients. New Orleans-style gumbo, jambalaya, hush puppies, and etouffée will be keeping company with Georgia-style greens, shrimp, and grits, and Carolina low-country bouillabaisse. You can check out the menu here.

The “Jam House” has been dropped from the name, and it will now be known as Miss Pearl’s Restaurant & Lounge. There will still be live music on the weekends (and no cover charge), and happy hour is on weeknights from 3pm-6pm. Sundays bring bottomless mimosas and kids 12 and under eat free at the Mimosa Buffet Brunch. As for tonight, the paint is still wet, but the Mardi Gras celebration will include $5 gumbo and bar bites, $5 Hurricanes and daiquiris, and live music from the Craig Cafall Blues Band, 4pm-midnight. 1 Broadway at Water, Oakland, 510-444-7171.

Whew, the Diablo Dish had a big update on Oakland projects, but here’s the quick recap: Paul Canales has released a few details about his still-unnamed space next to Flora (“he’s strongly considering adding a small, curated wine shop where customers can buy bottles of wine to bring with them to the restaurant,” “a rotating series of pop-up stores in the artsy/design vein” are mentioned, plus some treats from his wife Mary’s Ici ice cream shop, and timing is hinted at “late summer, early fall opening at this point”).  

More tips: ~LE CHEVAL~ is due to reopen in its previous location at 1007 Clay Street, and it should be within the month; the chocolate café ~BITTERSWEET CAFÉ~ is opening a new location at 1438 Broadway in Rockridge in mid-March, serving breakfast and lunch; and ~BEER REVOLUTION~ in Jack London Square is planning to expand into an old train depot where they’ll open a restaurant called the Old Depot (although this is six months to a year out).

I mentioned ~NOBLE CAFE~ a couple weeks ago, and now Diablo Dish announces ~AWAKEN CAFE~ at 1429 Broadway (which I heard is using Four Barrel Coffee), and ~ANFILO COFFEE~ is coming to Grand Avenue.

One more thing for your radar: a reader let me know ~FLIPSIDE~ has opened in the former Adam’s Burger space on Lakeshore. The burgers are made from hormone-free meat (or you can choose turkey, or vegetarian) and come on buns or Texas toast; the menu includes a sick-sounding hangover burger with fried egg, American cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, French fries, and Tabasco mayo, ay yi yi. There are also salads, a kid’s menu, milkshakes, and more. 3401 Lakeshore Ave. at Longridge, Oakland, 510-879-7195.

Opening tonight, Tuesday February 21st, is ~BRASA~ in the former eVe Restaurant space. As previously mentioned, husband-and-wife team Christopher and Veronica Laramie converted eVe into this fast-casual spot serving Peruvian cuisine, focusing on rotisserie chicken and Peruvian street food. There is also takeout and delivery. 1960 University Ave. at Bonita, Berkeley, 510-868-0735.

Meanwhile, ~ANGELINE’S LOUISIANA KITCHEN~ is temporarily closing on Monday February 27th to get ready for their expansion into the space next door. They are expected to reopen on Monday March 5th. 2261 Shattuck Ave. at Bancroft, 510-548-6900.

On Tuesday February 28th, Gail Simmons of Top Chef and Top Chef: Just Desserts will be at the Marin Art & Garden Center to discuss her new book, Talking with My Mouth Full: My Life as a Professional Eater. There will be a discussion, book signing, and VIP dessert reception featuring food and sweets by Taste Catering. All proceeds benefit Marin Art & Garden Center’s educational programs. 7pm-10pm. $65 VIP ticket includes the talk, dessert reception, and a signed book; $45 includes talk and a signed book; $30 includes talk only. Tickets here or call 415-455-5260. The Marin Art & Garden Center, The Livermore Pavilion, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross.

Also on Tuesday February 28th, chef Jason Berthold of ~RN74~ will be on the live talk show Studio Gourmet at Circolo. Arrive at 5:30pm for a welcome cocktail and bites, followed by a cooking demo and tasting, and then a live interview with chef Berthold. Special guest Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis will be on hand to pair wines with the dish from the demo (check out the lineup of dishes on the website). Tickets: $35 (or two tickets for $60). 500 Florida St. at Mariposa.

This is sure to be a powerful event: on Thursday March 1st, author Elizabeth Andoh will be at ~OMNIVORE BOOKS~ to talk about Kibō (Brimming with Hope): Recipes and Stories from Japan’s Tohoku. Here’s more: “Kibō, an e-book, was written by Japanese culinary authority Elizabeth Andoh, who was in her Tokyo kitchen when the Great Eastern-Japan Earthquake struck. Over the following months she witnessed the strength of the people of the Tohoku region—one of the largest miso- and sake-producing areas in Japan—as they struggled with the effects of the resulting tsunami and nuclear accident. She was inspired to write Kibō (meaning “brimming with hope”) to not only tell the story of the food of the Tohoku region but also to document the experiences of its people, both before and after the disaster.” Free talk. 6pm-7pm.

And on Tuesday March 6th, there will be a Butcher’s Guild Panel Discussion at ~REVIVAL BAR + KITCHEN~ in Berkeley with authors Ryan Farr, Marissa Guggiana, Peter Hertzmann, and Morgan Maki of Bi-Rite Market. They will be discussing the business and art of butchery, plus there will be a book signing, salumi, a specialty cocktail, and snacks. No reservations necessary; free. 6pm-7pm. 2102 Shattuck Ave. at Addison, Berkeley, 510-549-9952.

A tablehopper reader tipped me off to some changes at Cole Valley’s ~EOS~ last week, and owner Scott Holley did in fact confirm for me the 15-year-old restaurant is going to close at the end of February. He wanted to wait until after Valentine’s Day for the news to be released, but since SFoodie broke the news today, let’s discuss.

Holley is closing the restaurant after service on Saturday February 25th, saying, “It’s been a great restaurant and location, but after 15 years, the concept ran its course. It had a good legacy in the neighborhood.” Holley is currently working on two different restaurant-internet projects, so stand by for more on that.

As for ~PAPAZOTE~, the Mamacita/Tipsy Pig/Umami/Blue Barn crew (Nate Valentine, Sam Josi, and Stryker Scales) are excited about the opportunity to open their Mexican project in the neighborhood (Valentine lived in Cole Valley for six years, and really loves the area). As for the name, saying “papazote” to a good-looking guy is like the equivalent of calling a hot woman “mamacita.” Valentine says Papazote is going to be a more refined version of Mamacita. They are working on menus now, but some additions include more in-house salsas, three kinds of chilaquiles, four kinds of enchiladas, and the opportunity to choose from a variety of proteins (say, carnitas or scallops) and have them in a street taco, or crispy taco, or fajitas, or quesadilla. They will be making tortillas to order (both flour and corn). They plan to be open for lunch and dinner, with a few brunch items thrown in. Valentine also alludes to serving something that isn’t being offered here in SF. Hmmmm.

The team (which also includes Jordan Dunn, who has worked at Mamacita as a GM) is currently working with the landlord and neighborhood on their needs, and they are also trying to secure a full liquor license for the location. Since that may take a while, they might open the wine bar part of the location first. There are lots of moving parts and variables, but potential timing could point to a July or August opening. Welcome to this side of town, gents. 901 Cole St. at Carl, 415-566-3063.

Last Monday I spoke with chef-partner Danny Bowien of ~MISSION CHINESE FOOD~ about the rumor I heard that MCF was opening a location in New York. He said they were still in negotiations and asked me to keep it on the DL, but according to this article in The New York Times yesterday, it’s a done deal. MCF will reportedly be opening in the Rhong-Tiam Garden location (154 Orchard St. at Stanton) in the Lower East Side in the spring.

When Bowien and I spoke last week, he said he was excited to offer a mid-range restaurant for New York, a niche he thinks MCF would fill nicely. The Times piece mentions MCF will continue their charitable focus, donating 75 cents from every food and drink item.

Okay New York, you have our Blue Bottle and now Mission Chinese Food. Whatcha got for us, huh? I think Russ & Daughters would be nice (bagels included). And Xi’an Famous Foods. Come on!

Now “softly” open, ~JAKE’S ON MARKET~ is welcoming walk-in diners in the former 2223 Restaurant space in the Castro (the restaurant will start accepting reservations on Wednesday). Long-time Castro residents Tim Travelstead and Brad Becker named the place after their son Jake, and have brought on chef Erik Hopfinger. The menu includes 50-plus dishes (um, whoa), ranging from starters like onion rings and mussels and clams, to pizzettas, build-your-own pasta dishes (pick your sauce and pasta), salads, a ground-to-order burger, homey dishes like fried chicken and pot pie, and a variety of steaks and chops. There’s also a kid’s menu, and weekend brunch. The price-point is meant to be at an affordable level, while still using seasonal, local, and sustainable ingredients. There’s a full bar with house cocktails, plus 19 wines by the glass (with 4 on tap), and 12 beers.

Jim Maxwell of Architects II is behind the refresh, which includes new booths, a completely redone bar with a white marble top and red aluminum chairs, and mid-century pendant lighting fixtures (Eater has some nice pics over here). Dinner nightly 5pm-10pm, late menu Sun-Thu 10pm-1am and Fri-Sat 10pm-2am. Brunch Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; lunch launching later. 2223 Market St. at Sanchez, 415-431-0692.

Longtime San Franciscan sushi lovers will fondly remember chef Sachio Kojima during his time at Kabuto A&S on Geary, who sadly sold the business and headed to Mount Shasta when his wife’s health was failing. Years later, Kojima has returned, and Scoop reports Joseph Manzare has hired Kojima as his chef for ~HECHO~ near Union Square. Ends up he’s already been there a while—am sure many people will be happy to see him doing his magic at the counter. 185 Sutter St. at Kearny, 415-835-6400.

With chef Sarah Kirnon’s departure from ~HIBISCUS~ in Oakland, the restaurant decided to close for remodeling, and a post on Facebook mentions the new “culinary team of Jordan Medina and Christian Baker of Radius Cafe fame as our new restaurant partners,” while Eater reports the new chef is Gregory Leon (Mirtille, Poesia). The new menu direction will reportedly be “a focus on California cuisine with a heavy nod toward the South,” with dishes like “shrimp with stone-ground grits and pork belly, bbq cooked on the smoker out back, a Southern fried chicken sandwich for lunch and he’ll be making his own cornbread and biscuits in house.” Stand by for a reopening date and more; in the meantime, the restaurant’s Rock Steady bar is offering a “7 for $7” bar and late-night menu.

Many years ago, I used to throw a happy hour at ~VERTIGO~ on Polk Street, and one of the bartenders (Derek Burke) and I would share stories of how we missed Italy, the cuisine, and la dolce vita. He’s an avid cook, always sending me pictures of homemade pastas and braises he’s cooked up with his delightful girlfriend, Stephanie Magalhaes, another total Italophile. Burke has been in the restaurant and bar business all his life, and Magalhaes is currently a server at Just For You Cafe in Dogpatch.

Flash forward to present day, and the two of them are going to be hosting a pop-up dinner twice a week at Just For You called ~GUIDO~. The menu is all about homey, simple, well-made Italian dishes, the kind of dinner you want in the middle of the week (and without spending $100). As the couple explained to me, “Guido is the husband who doesn’t want anything fancy, but he’s finicky. He just wants casalinga (“housewife”) cooking—the kind of good food his wife cooks.”

The menu includes a few antipasti, all under $9 (Caesar salad, polpette, or involtini of eggplant with housemade ricotta); pastas include lasagne, ravioli with Swiss chard and ricotta, or spaghetti and meatballs (plus pasta for the kiddies); and meatier mains like pollo alla cacciatora (braised chicken legs with polenta, $16.95) and osso buco ($18.50) with polenta. Ingredients are market fresh, and many of the dishes are well-suited for take-out. Dinner is Wed and Thu from 5pm-9:30pm or so (this week is the soft opening), and there are plans to offer an early dinner special at 5pm (stand by). Wine and beer available. Cash only. Follow Guido on Facebook for updates on the menu, specials, and more. Just For You Cafe, 732 22nd St. at 3rd St., 415-647-3033.

There was an explosion of news yesterday about chef Ravi Kapur (formerly Prospect) popping up at ~CITIZEN’S BAND~ this coming Monday February 20th. Since the seats for his 10-course, Hawaiian-inspired supper ($65, including tax and tip) are sold out, stand by for an announcement of the next one (you can follow him on Twitter here). There are a few seats that will be available at the counter for walk-ins if you want to give it a go, starting at 5:30pm.

Last week I had a chance to preview a new tasting menu by chef Charlie Kleinman at ~WEXLER’S~ in the Financial District. He’s calling the first menu “Paris, Texas,” (so clever, and one of my favorite films) featuring classic French bistro dishes through a barbecue lens, like celery root soup with crispy ham hock, cornbread croutons, and sauce verte; a phenomenal smoked mackerel escabèche with frisée, bacon, and fingerlings; seared diver scallop with smoked salmon roe, crème fraîche, and melted “slaw”; duck confit with smoked lentils (a fun play on smoked beans), roasted apple, aigre-doux; and for dessert, you’ll have to make some room for roasted sweet potato pot de crème and rosemary sablé. It’s a very fulfilling dinner for $55, and wine pairings are $30. If you haven’t had a chance to visit Wexler’s lately, here’s a good excuse to return. You can keep up with upcoming menus on their Facebook page and Twitter.

And one more special menu for your radar: since our months to enjoy foie gras are numbered, ~BAYWOLF~ is offering “A Farewell to Foie Gras” menu on Sunday February 26th. It includes gougère with duck liver flan; salt and pepper-cured foie gras salad with escarole, walnuts, and caramelized apples; foie gras ravioli with double duck consommé; and foie gras-stuffed duck breast with peas, greens, and fava beans. $85. (If you can’t make it, they will be doing a “Farewell to Foie Gras Reduxx Dinner” in April.) 3853 Piedmont Ave. at Rio Vista, Oakland, 510-655-6004.

Some new eats for your radar: first, the Mission’s fabulous empanada maker, ~VENGA EMPANADAS~ is now open for breakfast, starting at 8:30am. Swing by for a breakfast empanada fresh out of the oven, or a medialuna-Argentine croissant in plain, chocolate, or membrillo (quince). And this week only: buy a breakfast empanada and get a free cup of Rodger’s coffee. 443 Valencia St. at 15th St., 415-552-5895.

A tablehopper reader tipped me off about the “freaking amazing brunch” they enjoyed over the weekend at ~CEDAR HILL~ in the Marina: “Smoked bbq hash, Deep fried french toast, smokehouse breakfast for the gluttons. Plus, bbq michelada with tall boy of pbr.” Here’s the menu, which also includes huevos rancheros, biscuits and gravy, and a breakfast sandwich. Eater mentions brunch is served Sat-Sun 10am-3pm. 3242 Scott St. at Chestnut, 415-834-5403.

Over in Hayes Valley, ~BAR JULES~ is opening for lunch on Tuesdays starting next week, on February 21st at 11:30am.

In Dogpatch, ~SERPENTINE~ is doing Taco Tuesdays for lunch, currently serving a trio of tacos with pan-seared true cod, green mango slaw, radish, cilantro, lime, and tomatillo salsa for $10 (and there’s a $5 margarita to go with them).

According to The Richmond SF blog, ~CHOMP N’ SWIG~ has replaced Cafe Mereb, serving coffee and pastries starting at 7am, and sandwiches and beer as the day goes on. Happy hour is Mon-Fri 3pm-7pm. Open Tue-Wed 8am-9pm, Thu-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 9am-9pm. Oh, and there’s a deal on Scoutmob right now if you want to go check it out (the menu is listed, too). 1541 Clement St. at 17th Ave., 415-683-5946.

Reader Jason B. lets me know about ~ROLLING OUT~, a café in the Sunset that recently opened in the former Greenhouse Cafe space, serving a variety of inventive housemade pastries, organic coffee, and sandwiches on housemade bread. 1722 Taraval St. at 27th Ave., 415-513-6054.

According to Scoop, ~ROAM ARTISAN BURGERS~ is planning to take over the ~OSAKA~ space on Fillmore and open a second location. If the deal goes through, the plan is to open this summer after a redesign. 1923 Fillmore St. at Pine.

Chowhound and Grub Street mention ~TELEGRAPH~, a newly opened spot that took over the former Mama Buzz café. On the menu: bagels and Pepples donuts in the morning (plus espresso and coffee drinks from Mr. Espresso), and housemade sausages for lunch and dinner, like wild boar and pear or whiskey and fennel, along with beers on tap. There’s a patio with picnic tables lending a biergarten vibe. Tue-Fri 8am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm. 2318 Telegraph Ave. at 24th St., Oakland, 510-444-8353.

Berkeleyside mentions the former Green Papaya is now morphing into ~THANU’S KITCHEN~—it’s still Thai, but there will now be meat on the menu. According to a post on Yelp, a sign on the door said, “Dear Customers, We apologize for the inconvenience, due to low volume of Vegan/Vegetarian consumers Green Papaya will not be able to stay open. After New Year of 2012 [2011 on sign, but I’m sure they mean 2012] we’re renovating this place into a non-vegan restaurant. Although we’re changing things up a bit here; we will still offer Vegetarians our selective menu and no worries our utilities such as pots, pans, and ingredients for Vegetarian will most definitely be separated from non-vegetarian. Hope to see you guys again once we re-open our new restaurant!!! Sincerely, Green Papaya.” 2016 Shattuck Ave. at Addison, Berkeley, 510-845-1658.

District in SoMa is getting close to opening a second location in Old Oakland, ~DISTRICT OAKLAND~ in the former Levende East spot. Partners Jon D’Angelica, Chris Vance, and Ryan Vance—working with wine director and sommelier Caterina Mirabelli and executive chef Bob Cina—plan to open by March or April. The historic building (updated by Arcsine Architecture and Bellusci Designs) will feature a large horsehoe bar made with reclaimed Brazilian barnwood (peroba rosa), and there will also be a wine and whiskey tower that features the building’s original doorway header from 1878. Additional features: sofa beds in the lounge, a video wall showing vintage movies, a mural by Brian Barneclo, and a rotating display of works by local artists. There will be room for 85 seated, plus the option of sidewalk seating.

Mirabelli’s wine list will offer over 40 selections by the glass and in tasting flights, and over 300 reserve bottles. Since this location features a full liquor license, there will also be 40 craft whiskeys on the list, a cocktail menu with updates on classics (mint juleps and Sazeracs), and 16 beers on draught.

Cina’s menu (think contemporary California with French and Latin influences) will include wine-friendly bites ($4-$7) like mushroom pâté en croûte and chèvre-stuffed Peppadew peppers, small plates ($9-$17) like Moroccan-spiced lamb meatballs, pizzettas ($10-$16), and an extensive cheese program with housemade charcuterie. And like the SF location, a daily happy hour will offer $1 oysters. Hours will be Mon-Fri 4pm-close, Sat 5pm onward. 827 Washington St. at 9th St., Oakland, 510-272-9110.

Everyone loves a good cause—here’s a couple food-related ones for ya. Local startup ZeroCater invites you to ~FOOD-FOR-ALL~ on Wednesday February 22nd, 6:30pm-8:30pm, their official pre-party for Taste of the Nation San Francisco, with 100% of proceeds going to Share Our Strength. You’ll get tastes from Radius, Azalina’s, After Osha, Sataysfied, The Missing Link, Peasant Pies, Queen’s Louisiana Po-Boy Cafe, Bona Restaurant, Three Babes Bakeshop, Belgian Street Waffles, and Peko-Peko, plus beer and wine from Lagunitas Brewing Company and Toasted Head Wines. And for a bit of fun, enter the restaurant review writing contest from Google Places—the prize is a $150 dinner at any local restaurant. $10. 875 Sansome St., 1st Floor, at Broadway.

Show some love for the ~ALAMEDA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK~ on Thursday March 1st, when you can join other volunteers in sorting fresh produce and packaging food-drive donations, putting together thousands of meals for hungry families. The evening includes refreshments. Register online to reserve your spot; space is limited. 5:30pm-8:30pm. 7900 Edgewater Dr. at Oakport, Oakland.

The Scoop was the first to confirm that the liquor license activity at Paul K in Hayes Valley was in fact the exciting news that it appeared to be: chefs Sarah (Michael Mina) and Evan Rich (COI, Quince) are going to be taking over the space. Their restaurant doesn’t yet have a name, and the opening is slated for “later this year.” Evan Rich was quoted as saying, “We’ll keep it simple and represent what’s going on in San Francisco. There’s a lot of exciting stuff happening, and we want to slide in and do our thing.” Those who have attended their Chefs’ Night Off pop-up dinners should have a sense for their progressive NorCal cooking style; look for some future dates in the meantime. And there’s the bonus feature of the full bar at the location. Good for them. Paul K remains open in the meantime. 199 Gough St. at Oak.

I received word from Ben Paula, the chef and one of the partners of ~SAUCE~ in Hayes Valley, that they are going to be taking over Trademark Bar on Belden Place. The Sauce crew is planning to operate it as Trademark for a month or so while they line up all the changes, but they can’t make major changes to the building until the ABC license is finalized. Paula will be cooking under the Trademark banner for a bit, but is implementing menu changes as soon as possible. There will be a grand opening for Sauce (targeting March) when they get all the ducks in a row. Stand by for more details in coming weeks. 56 Belden Place at Bush.

I received word that ~HAYES VALLEY BAKEWORKS~, the non-profit bakery and café originally set to open last November, has finally gotten their permits (after an unexpected zoning change) and construction began this week; the opening is now scheduled for early May. The non-profit Toolworks—which is responsible for the “social enterprise” part of the project—has been very busy working not only on their rustic American pastry selection (with loads of gluten-free options), but also on seasonal grab-and-go savories from chef Justin Nilson (formerly with Café des Amis) with additional help from Janet Rikala, a Postrio alumnus.

According to their Facebook page, they have created a “Celebrity Soup” program that will feature a changing roster of featured dishes from the likes of Roland Passot, Mitch Rosenthal, Russell Jackson, James Schenk, Sean Baker, Hoss Zaré, and yours truly, among many more civic-minded food folks who love the project’s core mission of providing a professional baking program with a path to employment for the disabled and formerly homeless. 365 Fulton St. at Gough.

I heard word that the fine folks at ~OUTERLANDS~ are expanding into Wo’s Chinese next door, which is about the same size as their current space. The owners are still in the very early stages, but the plan is to include a full bar (remember, they have a liquor license), additional seating (including large party seating), and extended service hours (potentially including a cocktail hour). They are hoping to be ready to go by summer—stand by for more details in coming months. Yup, your odds of scoring a table for brunch are likely to improve by 100 percent.

I was sorry to read in Eater that chef Michael Hung has departed ~BUSHI-TEI~ in Japantown, and owner Tak Matsuba has decided to put the restaurant on the market. In the meantime, Hung’s former sous chef, Lisa Aoki, is going to run the kitchen in the interim while Matsuba looks for a buyer. She will be scaling back the menu a bit, but will still be serving dishes in Bushi-tei’s Californian-Japanese style. Hung is reportedly “taking some time off and ‘doing some stages’ as he decides where to go next.” Best wishes to all. 1638 Post St. at Laguna, 415-440-4959.

Another barbecue joint to add to the city’s ever-growing list: ~THE DANCING PIG~ is reportedly open in the Castro in the former Nirvana space, according to Grub Street. The owners are two bartenders and an owner at The Mix around the corner: J.R. Kleysteuber, Linda Holl, and Larry Metzger; the chef is Michelle Agnew (de Young Museum, Burger Bar). You can look at the menu here, which includes a mix of barbecue styles (which the owners are calling “San Francisco BBQ”). There are fried tasso oysters, a trio of sliders (pulled pork, beef brisket, and smoked chicken), poblano peppers stuffed with pulled pork, a few salads and sandwiches, and barbecue entrées (which come with two sides and cornbread) include St. Louis pork spare ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken, and more. The cocktails will reportedly have a bourbon-heavy slant. Didn’t hear back from the owners in time to include the hours and a phone number, stand by. 544 Castro St. at 18th St.

After an initial tip-off from Chowhound back in November, it looks like there’s another make-your-own sushi joint in town: ~SUSHI TAKA~, which has opened in the old Latte Express space. You can come up with all kinds of franken-rolls, like beef sukiyaki with Jarlsberg cheese, or teriyaki tofu with salsa, or…. I am going to stop right there. You can check out the menu here. And since I’m seeing eel and salmon on there, it looks like yet another new sushi place that doesn’t seem to care about sustainability. One other component: chef-owner Nick Ono makes the rice with green tea powder. Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm and Sat 11am-2pm. 600 Kearny St. at Sacramento, 415-362-4800.

Over in Noe Valley, Noe Valley SF notes ~SARU SUSHI BAR~ has opened in the former Tamasei Sushi space. Some posts on Yelp mention more new-fangled dishes (tasting spoons of halibut tartare with grated lime, yuzu juice, and Japanese sea salt, or kampachi with truffle oil, ponzu, garlic chips, and scallion, and “spicy tuna topped with avocado and cucumber over a slightly fried piece of seaweed”), classic nigiri, and rolls. Pics on Yelp show a stylish, traditional-meets-industrial interior and outdoor seating. Open Tue-Thu and Sun 12pm-2pm and 5pm-9pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-2pm and 5pm-10pm. 3856 24th St. at Sanchez, 415-400-4510.

A tablehopper reader tipped us off that ~CALABRIA BROS.~ Italian deli is opening their second location this Saturday in the former Sorrento Delicatessen in the Excelsior. 4763 Mission St. at Russia Ave.

Mission Loc@l mentions ~780 CAFÉ~ will be taking the place of The Summit. More: “Jose Ramos, the property manager at 780 Valencia and former staffer with New College and the Mission Neighborhood Centers, will run the café, said Ashwin Navin of I/O Ventures.” 780 Valencia St. at 19th St.

Over in the Haight, Haighteration announces ~CUCO’S~ was served with a 30-day notice, and is sadly closing after 20 years in business (and serving many, many plantain burritos and chiles rellenos). 488 Haight St. at Fillmore, 415-863-4906.

Eater reports ~LA TERRASSE~ in the Presidio has closed.

You a fan of Bananas Foster French Toast for dinner? Yeah, me too. Which is why you will want to check out Breakfast for Supper Sundays at ~BRENDA’S FRENCH SOUL FOOD~, when the full brunch menu will be available from 8am-8pm. There will also be some dinner items available after 5pm on Sundays, like shrimp, catfish, or oyster po’ boys, red beans and rice, and the BFC (Brenda’s fried chicken).

Plenty o’ pop-ups and more this week, starting with ~HAPA RAMEN~ tonight at Wing Wings from 6pm-10pm. Sounds like the fryer is going to be put to good use with tempura Gulf prawns with fried Meyer lemon and kale ($10), plus fried local herring ($9; one of your last chances to try them before the short season is over), and three kinds of ramen with the option to add a smoked crispy trotter cake on top. 8422 Haight St. at Webster, 415-834-5001.

Starting this Friday February 10th, ~SOUP JUNKIE~ is going to be serving 150 portions of their trademark bun rieu ($11) every Friday at Vinyl Wine Bar from 6pm-10pm. Yeah, you want to check it out. Vinyl Wine Bar, 359 Divisadero St. at Oak, 415-621-4132.

On Saturday February 11th, ~MISSION MINIS~ is celebrating its birthday by having mobile food vendors (Brass Knuckle, We Sushi, Mama’s Empanadas, and Clairesquares) set up in front of the bakery, and MM will be giving away their signature cupcakes and serving beverages gratis. 7pm onward. 3168 22nd St. at Mission, 415-817-1540.

On Monday February 13th, chef Sarah Kirnon is popping up at ~BAR TARTINE~ for a dinner with beer pairings by cicerone Sayre Piotrkowski. Check out the two delicious-sounding set menu options here, and even three of the four brewers will be in attendance that night. Guests get to try Daily (B)red, the newly released beer that Linden Street Brewery fermented with Tartine Bakery’s sourdough starter. Bar Tartine is setting aside bar seats for walk-ins, and there are a few tables left on OpenTable. $49 per person (food and beer pairings included).

For the next two weeks (truffles permitting), ~RN74~ is offering a four-course black truffle menu with decadent dishes including foie gras brûlée with shaved black truffle, hazelnut, and apples, and Hollander Farm squab with sautéed pork belly, foraged mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, and sauce Périgourdine. The menu runs Thursdays through Saturdays; $74 per person, $60 per person for wine pairing.

A bunch of local bakers and chocolatiers are making some heartfelt options for you and your sweetie to enjoy on Valentine’s Day. Here are a few that caught our fancy.

The babes of ~THREE BABES BAKESHOP~ are holding a special V-Day pop-up, offering chocolate cream pies in jars from 10am-4pm. They’ve teamed up with Lila B. Design so you can also pick up a fresh, beautiful bouquet while you’re visiting the LSC (Little Shipping Container, outside of Stable Café, 2128 Folsom St. at 17th St.) Pre-order by email or drop by next Tuesday.

Dessert café ~DELISE~ launches their Valentine lineup this Friday February 10th, including special macarons (Dragon’s Passion, Szechuan pepper macaron filled with passion fruit milk chocolate truffle, and Perfect Pear, lavender macaron filled with white chocolate Pear William truffle). Their popular lychee-rose frozen yogurt will be back, plus a spiced chocolate sorbet made with a blend of aphrodisiac spices and cayenne. They’ll also have brownies with raspberry ganache frosting, heart-shaped shortbread with honey and black truffle, and vanilla Meyer lemon cheesecake with pine nut-rosemary crust. Feel free to pre-order. 327 Bay St. at Powell, 415-399-9694.

The bakery at ~BAKER & BANKER~ has quite a few specials lined up too. Choose from cakes like a conversation heart cake (says Hugs or Kisses), red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, and dark chocolate cake with ganache frosting (6” $50, 10” $85); passion fruit cheesecake with guava caramel (6” $30, 10” $50); or cupcakes like strawberry-Champagne (4 for $14). A box of coconut salted caramel chocolates are $15 for a set of 6. Order by 5pm Sunday February 12th.

Throughout February, you can order the special Valentine’s Day chocolate collection from ~SOCOLA CHOCOLATIER~: Aphrodite’s Delight features the word “love” in several languages on the chocolates, and includes flavors like burnt caramel with sea salt, and their Hot Lava with raspberry pâte de fruit and Champagne ganache. Purchase online; comes in 4, 12, or 24 pieces.

On Thursday February 23rd, the new ~DOTTIE’S TRUE BLUE CAFE~ is hosting a special oyster and wine event in conjunction with the Lunny Family of Drakes Bay, the oyster team from Waterbar, local wine purveyor The Secret Wine Shop, and local winemakers all in attendance. The roof deck will be open. Some fun background info here on the oyster and wine pairings and here. $60 per person; tickets here. 7pm-9pm. 28 6th St. at Market, 415-885-2767.

Some more details and clarification have emerged since last week’s (incomplete) post about the future of ~JACK LONDON MARKET~. The market will feature a mix of on-site artisanal food producers and retailers; the concept has further evolved this year with the formation of a new management/development group and alliance partners who wanted the public market to reflect the growing local food movement in and around Oakland.

The food producer/retailer and restaurant/bar tenants already in and directly around the Jack London Square property (Baia Pasta, Miette bakery, Belcampo Meats, Blue Bottle Coffee, Haven, Bocanova, Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon) are joined with a weekly farmers’ market, public events (including Eat Real and the new cycling-focused Pedalfest), and some office, retail, and recreation tenants. Look for more announcements about new tenants soon.

Opening sometime in May or June near Lake Merritt will be ~LA GRANDE JATTE KITCHEN~. Owner May Seto (previously a GM at Delfina and wine buyer for The PlumpJack Group) is working alongside her mother to open this deli/diner that will be focused initially on lunch. Think healthy and affordable sandwiches and salads, which you will be able to enjoy at the 12-seat counter or at some outdoor tables—or get something to go and enjoy it while sitting by the lake. Seto will also have a selection of beer and wine—she wants the neighborhood to have a good retail option. Construction should begin in March. Hours are TBD, but it should be open Mon-Sat. Stand by for more in coming months. 576 Grand Ave. at El Embarcadero, Oakland.

A friend pointed me to some ads on Craigslist for ~HOT ITALIAN~, an import from Sacramento. I got in touch with one of the owners for details about the location, and she declined to share any info (not hot). But The Sacramento Bee did get some info after all: the pizzeria will be opening in the Public Market in Emeryville. Diablo Dish chimes in with an anticipated opening of April. 5959 Shellmound St. at Powell, Berkeley.

Berkeleyside mentions ~FREE HOUSE~ in the former Adagia space. Some posts on Yelp (including some informative shilling) mention pub food like mac and cheese, and iceberg wedge salad, cassoulet, plus 15 beers on tap, a fireplace, and full bar. A tipster let me know the former chef at Monk’s Kettle (Kevin Kroger) is running the kitchen, so if some dishes seem familiar to you, now you know why. Mon-Fri 11am-12am, Sat 4pm-12am. 2700 Bancroft Way at College.

North Beach was buzzing over the weekend, and I think some older folks were popping a little more Lipitor than usual before heading over to check out ~ORIGINAL JOE’S~ new home on Washington Square Park. The restaurant, which dates back to 1937, tragically closed in October 2007 after a terrible fire ripped through the Tenderloin location (on Taylor Street). The Duggan family ultimately decided to move the restaurant to the space that previously housed Joe DiMaggio’s, and prior to that, the historic Fior d’Italia.

Kudos to the Duggan family (and Anthony Fish of Arcanum Architecture) for doing such a great job in integrating the classic OJ’s elements into the new location. The signature burgundy red booths were brought over (and some of the counter stools), redwood panels, Art Deco mermaids, a vintage neon exterior sign, and the exhibition kitchen counter is also in effect. There’s a separate cocktail lounge with a piano, two private rooms, and look for sidewalk seating in the spring. NBC shot this fun segment about the reopening.

On the menu: the same classic Italian-American style of dishes, like veal parmigiana, linguini and clams, and of course Joe’s special (I like it with an egg and Tabasco on top), plus some new lighter items as well. You can view the menu here. Classic cocktails include a Manhattan, Aviation, and Vesper; check out the menu here. Hours are Sun-Wed 10:30am-10pm and Thu-Sat 10:30am-11pm. Reservations will be accepted starting in a couple of weeks.

A tablehopper reader tipped me off that after 18 years in business, ~REX CAFE~ on Polk Street is converting into a Spanish restaurant. Partners Bob DiFranco and Daniel Mougeot will close Rex at the end of February, and after a month of refreshing the space, will reopen it as ~MARBELLA~, named after the coastal town in Spain. Instead of just small tapas plates, many dishes will be designed for groups to share. There will also be a new cocktail program, featuring fresh juices. Stand by for a menu and more details in coming months. 2323 Polk St. at Union, 415-441-2244.

One of the owners of ~TROYA~ in the Richmond, Berk Kinalilar, emailed me last week to tell me Troya is opening a second location, Troya Fillmore, in the vacant Citizen Cake space. The menu will have the same Turkish focus (have you ever had their delicate and delicious manti?), but the Scoop elaborates more on the menu: “it will incorporate the entire eastern Mediterranean region. Expect mezes, small plates, and a few larger plates; it will be open for lunch and dinner daily, with brunch on the weekends.” Look for an opening in a couple months. 2125 Fillmore St. at Sacramento.

David Lynch is going full-tilt over at ~ST. VINCENT~, his upcoming project on Valencia Street (in the former Heart space). Scoop announces Lynch has hired Bill Niles (Bar Tartine) as the chef—although Chris Kronner will still be consulting on food operations. The impending food style is described as “hearty, polished California fare.”

More news: Lynch has hired cicerone Sayre Piotrkowski (previously at Monk’s Kettle) to be the beer director, although he’ll be acting as a consultant. He will be designing the beer list, and is coordinating an all-brewery-direct draft program to insure the freshest beer.

A tablehopper reader alerted me ~CAFE ALTANO~ in Hayes Valley has closed. (The owners are behind SOMA Restaurant & Bar in the Pickwick at 85 5th Street and Mission) Here’s hoping someone with some crazy-delicious food moves in there, it’s such a pretty corner space. 602 Hayes St. at Laguna.

Starting this Wednesday February 1st, ~NOJO~ in Hayes Valley is serving lunch Wed-Fri 11am-2:30pm. Dishes like the gyoza, a variety of soba dishes, a tonkatsu sandwich, and a bacon-wrapped hot dog (!) are all available. You can view the lunch menu here.

As previously mentioned in tablehopper, ~GILBERTH’S ROTISSERIE & GRILL~, from Gilberth Cab and Julia Rivera of The New Spot and Oralia’s is now (softly) open, according to the Dogpatch Howler. The Latin-fusion menu will feature dishes with Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Central American influences, like roasted pork neck with plantain mofongo, and Cuban baby back ribs with a guava glaze, fried plantains, and gallo pinto. And, of course, chicken off the rotisserie. Open daily 11am-3pm and 5pm-10:30pm. 2427-2429 3rd St. at 20th St.

Further up, ~MERCURY LOUNGE~ in SoMa is closing, according to SFoodie. The last day for dinner service is February 18th, though bar bites and drinks will continue through March 1st. Mercury chef Dominic Ainza reportedly cites the economy and competition from food trucks as contributing factors. 1582 Folsom St. at 12th St., 415-551-1582.

SFoodie brings us news of an upcoming street food destination: ~SOMA STREAT FOOD PARK~. Carlos Muela, who is behind the project, has just begun construction on the project at 346 11th Street at Division.

Inspired by Portland’s non-mobile street food scene, Muela hopes that providing a permanent street food park will make life easier for food truck vendors, who often have a hard time finding a place to situate themselves for business. The plan is for different trucks to rotate in and out of the park’s nine slots throughout the week, serving lunch and dinner (city permits allow them to serve until midnight). SFoodie also notes that “shelter for up to 200 diners, lights, and permanent restrooms” are part of the plans. The opening is still a couple months out.

Some new dishes to get you into trouble on the weekends. First, ~LAFITTE~ is partnering with Petaluma Farms to serve an all-egg brunch menu on Saturdays, starting February 4th. You can also pick up eggs to bring home. 10am-2pm.

You know that infamous Bacon Butter Burger at ~MAVERICK~? Yeah, the one that’s 70% cured Meyer chuck, 20% Oregon sweet cream butter, and 10% Nueske’s bacon. Starting Saturday February 4th, you can now only get it during brunch, and they promise to not run out. This monster comes loaded with a bacon pepper marmalade, Gruyère cheese, an onion ring, and jalapeño mayo on an Acme bun—it comes with fries, all for $13.

Eater brings word of a new pizza on Saturdays (only) at ~UNA PIZZA NAPOLETANA~, the Apollonia. Named in honor of the Mangieris’ daughter, it comes topped with salami, buffalo mozzarella, garlic, Alder Lane Farm eggs, Parmigiano, and basil. For those paying attention, this will be the first pizza on the menu with meat on it.

On Friday February 3rd, Brass Knuckle will be popping up in ~GALETTE 88~ with a four-course dinner called All Pigs Considered (click to see the menu and book your space). 6:30pm-11pm. $46. 88 Hardie Pl., off Kearny, between Bush and Sutter, 415-989-2222.

From Tuesday February 7th-Friday February 10th, ~OLIVETO~ is hosting its famous Whole Hog dinners. The menu will have “a simpler focus on the rustic ways of traditional farm families. There will still be plenty of extraordinary dishes, with the core of the menu coming from the farmhouse and time-honored preparations.” Menus will be posted later this week, but some selections include frittole (preserved Calabrian confit of skin and trim with cannellini beans, frisée, and lemon), nodino alla Veneziana (salt-cured chops marinated with chile flake and coriander, cooked under a brick), fegatelli di maiale al finocchio (Tuscan-style grilled fennel-seed-crusted pork liver and crostini), penne alla norcina (Umbrian pork sausage with garlic, cream, and Parmesan cheese), and fusilli con soffritto di maiale (Calabrian ragu of heart, liver, and kidney). Book your reservation now at 510-547-5356.

I was so sorry to read in Eater about the flue fire that broke out in between ~GREAT CHINA~ and ~RAZAN’S ORGANIC KITCHEN~ in downtown Berkeley. No word on when Great China will reopen (the damage sadly sounds pretty extensive) but Razan’s was not damaged in the fire. Razan’s, 2119 Kittredge St. at Fulton, Berkeley, 510-486-0449. Great China, 2115 Kittredge St. at Fulton, Berkeley, 510-843-7996.

Grub Street highlighted an SF Business Times article about the change in plans at Jack London Square. Instead of the Jack London Market, the Ferry Building Marketplace-esque large public market that was supposed to open, “they are now, instead, looking for food manufacturing tenants to fill the vacant space.” Stand by for updates.

I learned in a Studio Gourmet email last Friday that chef Dean Dupuis was leaving Oakland’s ~PICÁN~. More details have been officially released: Dupuis is leaving to join DC chef and restaurateur Robert Wiedmaier at Revel, an upcoming Atlantic City resort, where he will be the chef de cuisine. In the meantime, owner-founder Michael LeBlanc is going to be heading to the South to find a replacement chef.

A post on Chowhound mentions a taker for Alameda’s ~ACAPULCO RESTAURANT~. The post says, “Mike (owner of Paradise Grill and Best Burger in San Leandro and Paradiso at Willow Park in Castro Valley) has purchased Acapulcos and is revamping the interior and the food. He’s purchased the recipes, but says that, while he’ll use them as a basis, he plans to include homemade sauces, etc. Planning permits, etc. are troublesome in Alameda, but he hopes to open in March. Also, NO MORE wine margaritas. He’s working on the liqour license, too.” That was one informative post, thanks. 2104 Lincoln Ave. at Willow, Alameda.

Now open in Berkeley is ~ALCHEMY COLLECTIVE~, a teeny-tiny coop café that some will recognize as the cart that was previously in the parking lot of BioFuel Oasis. The partners are serving Verve on a La Marzocco machine (it’s on the cart they built), and be sure to check out the custom drip contraption they made as well. 3140 Martin Luther King Jr. Way at the Adeline split, Berkeley.

After checking in with Sandbox Bakery owner Mutsumi Takehara a few times this past month, I was happy to see her tweet that her new second business officially opened in the former Maggie Mudd location, ~903~. She is serving breakfast and lunch daily from 9am-3pm, and dinner will launch February 1st.

On yesterday’s lunch menu: crispy shrimp ball with aioli and sweet and sour plum sauce in a challah hot dog bun, chicken tsukune burger on a potato roll, and Panang fish curry in a Bernal roll (all items $7-$9, and come with mixed greens). You have the option of getting dishes like these (and more) over rice or salad, or you can upgrade to a bento for $3 more and get rice, and your choice of two sides, like corn fritter with Kaffir lime (um, hello), soba noodle salad, or crispy kale.

In case you’re wondering about the smoker out front, Mutsumi’s husband, Mike (who did all the work for the restaurant and bakery), welded the giant smoker. His dad owns a farm in Oregon and the couple is getting some pigs from them, and then butchering and smoking them in the smoker! Today, there were some ribs and a roasted porchetta sandwich to add to the menu mix, and they also do brisket and pastrami.

There are about 20 seats total at a communal table and a couple four tops, plus some stools at a counter. The website will eventually go live here. 903 Cortland Ave. at Gates.

According to Mission Loc@l, Preeti Mistry of ~JUHU BEACH CLUB~ is trying to open her brick-and-mortar location in the (currently vacant) Quic Pic Grocery on Mission Street. Here’s hoping all goes smoothly with the change of use from the planning commission. Stand by for more in coming months. 2141 Mission St. at Sycamore.

More Mission action: SFist announces the upcoming ~20 SPOT~ due to open in mid-spring in the former Force of Habit record shop in the Mission. Further details from Eater mention the owner Bodhi Freedom (owner of Russian Hill’s Bacchus for the past 12 years) is planning to offer plenty of vino, along with well-sourced/local food courtesy of a former nopa sous chef (stand by for who that is). There will be a wood bar (seating 10), tables (seating 28), and “colored blown glass light fixtures made in a friend’s glass blowing studio in Mexico City.” June is the current target. 3565 20th St. at Lexington.

And not 24 hours after a tablehopper reader told me they spotted some activity at the former Clown Alley/Pickles location in North Beach, Scoop reveals it’s going to be yet another Basque restaurant in the area called ~BASK~. Two couples are reportedly behind the project: Sabrina and Patrick Thillard, and David and Suzanne Cot. On tap: lunch, dinner, tapas at happy hour. A quick remodel is in the works. 42 Columbus Ave. at Jackson.

I got the confirmation too late for last week’s column, but ~DOTTIE’S TRUE BLUE CAFE~ has officially opened in its new SoMa location (the former Passion Café). It’s spacious, with wood floors and a marble bar, and lookin’ good! The new location’s hours are as follows: Mon, Wed-Fri 7:30am-3pm and Sat-Sun 7:30am-4pm (which are new, extended hours!), closed Tue. 28 6th St. at Market, 415-885-2767.

Last week, a tipster alerted me that chef Sarah Kirnon had left the restaurant ~HIBISCUS~ in Oakland. After calling her up, she didn’t want to talk about it at that moment, but now that the cat’s out of the bag, well, it’s out of the bag. In a text, she did mention she is going to do a pop-up at Bar Tartine on Monday February 13th, and is going to be working with the Starline Ballroom in Oakland on some projects. She also mentioned she’s helping a friend launch a sandwich shop in South San Francisco in late February.

Hibiscus contacted the Scoop with this information: they are launching a new menu on Thursday, a “revised comfortable and family friendly menu.” No word on who the new chef is.

After tasting a very delicious bowl of bun rieu noodle soup that home chef Hung Lam (aka ~SOUP JUNKIE~) kindly served me during a dinner party in his apartment a couple months ago, I was happy to hear he’s popping up this Friday January 27th at Vinyl Wine Bar. Hung’s bun rieu is a lovingly made soup with a six-hour crab- and tomato-based broth, with the most tender crab omelet tucked inside, plus housemade pork meatballs, rice vermicelli noodles, curled water spinach, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs. The recipe is his mother’s, and even though I haven’t tried his mom’s bun rieu, I imagine he’s doing it some very fine justice. $11 per bowl. There will also be a snack of crispy pig ears that are braised in spices for 15 hours, then fried. Hung is going to have enough for 40 bowls, serving from 6pm-10pm. Depending on turnout, he will hopefully do this again. Vinyl Wine Bar, 359 Divisadero St. at Oak, 415-621-4132.

A tweet announced ~JABLOW’S MEATS~ is taking over where Wise Sons left off, popping up with Saturday lunches at ~BEAST AND THE HARE~ from 11am-2pm. Look for housemade pastrami, bacon, and corned beef sandwiches, plus housemade ginger ale. 1001 Guerrero St. at 22nd St.

Tasting Table mentioned local seafood retail shop ~NEW ENGLAND LOBSTER CO.~ has added a food trailer in their parking lot, serving a lobster roll ($15.50), and one with crab meat ($14) on weekdays 11am-3pm; both rolls come with a side of coleslaw and a bag of chips. Menu and more here. 170 Mitchell Ave. at Harbor Way, South San Francisco, 650-873-9000.

While the crew at ~CRIOLLA KITCHEN~ ramps up on their redesign, they decided to open for lunch in the meantime, serving a variety of po’ boys made with local and sustainable ingredients. Starting this Wednesday, you can swing by for a sandwich in three different sizes (shorty, full, or loaf). Choices include the Rich’Boy ($13/$20/$40) with braised American Wagyu beef and foie gras mayo; fried Louisiana Gulf shrimp ($10/$15/$30), caught and served fresh every day; and the pulled-smoked ham hock salad ($8/$12/$24) with cold ham hock, mayo, pickled okra, and Creole mustard. I know, they sound gooooood. There are 11 in all, with fried chicken, fried oysters, grilled andouille sausage, and more.

And based on the famed New Orleans sandwich’s famous history (they got their name because they were originally offered up for the striking street car motor men and conductors during the strike of 1929), Criolla is offering a 25% discount on all sandwiches to any street car and cable car drivers in San Francisco. It’s just counter service, but catering is available (yeah, I’d like to cater my office—army of one). Sandwiches served Mon-Fri 11am-3pm.

Report by Rebecca Kinney, tablehopper intern.

~U-SUSHI~ opened on Market Street last week, bringing a fast-casual and healthy option to the Financial District. From the folks behind Ozumo, u-sushi brings takeout sushi to a new level. Customers can choose from about 40 ingredients which are hand-rolled before your eyes. The process, which takes less than a minute, is assisted by state-of-the-art machines from Japan. If you’ve ever made sushi and ended up with rice stuck all over your hands, you’ll really appreciate the first machine: it spreads white or brown rice in a perfectly even layer on your choice of seaweed or soy paper. The “u-chefs” then fill your roll with your choice of fish, vegetables, sauce, and garnishes before rolling it by hand for the final machine. Dubbed the “sushi elevator,” the machine lifts your roll through some very sharp blades to give you eight perfect pieces. The roll is quickly wrapped while you grab a green tea Arnold Palmer on your way out the door.

Take a look at the menu here. [Ed. note: Unfortunately I don’t see nary a mention of sustainability on the menu or website (or press release). Great, now we can deplete the diminishing quantities of unagi even quicker!] Open Mon-Fri 10:30am-7pm. 525 Market St. at 1st St., 415-543-7655.

After speaking at a panel on Saturday, I had a mad craving for a bowl of jook from ~HING LUNG~ in North Beach. Had I read SFoodie on Friday, I would have learned the place was closed before looking for parking and walking over three blocks to discover the same piece of news. What royally bummed me out was to learn the SF Department of Health was forced to not only close the place down, but to revoke its license for six months due to repeated violations (“the inspector found several recurring violations, including a severe cockroach and rat infestation and unsafe food handling facilities”). Damn. That grosses me out so much. I don’t even really care if they reopen now. Well, unless I see a 100 proudly displayed in the window. Hell, if the El Tonayense taco truck can do it…. 674 Broadway at Stockton.

Eater brings news that Ryan Scott is discontinuing his Brunch Drunk Love at Bruno’s after this weekend (January 28th-29th). In mid-February, he will be opening his new quick-service restaurant, ~PLEASE & THANK YOU~, serving salads, soups, and sandwiches. Scoop mentions he’ll be opening a second (and more tricked-out) location at 300 De Haro St. in April. 68 W. Portal Ave. at Vicente.

Eater also mentions ~LUNA~ in the Castro has closed. And it may have been closed for a while: someone on Yelp (posted on November 29th, 2011) said, “I find it interesting that basically I believe this place has closed and no one has even noticed.” Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Fade to black. 558 Castro St. at 19th St.

Fans of ~HODO SOY~’s products should note the kiosk at the Ferry Building Marketplace is closed for a remodel until the end of February (when they will relaunch with some new offerings). So in case you’re jonesing for some of their spicy yuba strips, you’ll have to find it at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays for now.

A few deals for your radar. First, on Sunday January 29th, ~PRESIDIO SOCIAL CLUB~ is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a par-tay. There will be two signature cocktails for $5, free Roederer Estate sparkling wine, and some free bites (Gruyère cheese toasts with tomato dip, fried chicken bites with buttermilk dressing, chicken liver pâté on rye toasts, pork and kimchi sliders, and dirty dozen beignets), along with live music. 3pm-6pm. All month long, PSC is serving a couple of their classic cocktails from the opening menu for $5 (Presidio Pink Lemonade and Gun Powder Cocktail). RSVP here.

~EPIC ROASTHOUSE~ and ~WATERBAR~ are turning four, and are celebrating on Sunday January 29th and Monday January 30th with special $4 and $44 offers. On the 29th, EPIC will offer a $44.44 prix-fixe menu featuring gumbo ya ya, cedar-smoked scallops seafood paella, Schmidt Ranch beef tenderloin, and chocolate soufflé for dessert. EPIC and Waterbar will both host a $4 happy hour on Sunday (3pm-6:30pm) and Monday (11:30am-6pm), with a signature cocktail, red and white wine, and beer.

I was happy to learn my neighborhood usual ~GREEN CHILE KITCHEN~ is offering half-off all regular breakfast burritos Mon-Thu (9am-12pm) and half-off all appetizers and drinks (excluding guacamole and Pacifico beer) for happy hour Mon-Thu (4pm-6pm) until the end of February. Why the deals? They’re celebrating their six-year anniversary. Maybe this will help make up for the sometimes cranky service and mixed-up to-go orders I seem to encounter there each month. Two new items to look for on the menu: stuffed sopaipillas (filled with meat or vegetables and topped in red or green chile) and carne adovada (pork marinated for 24 hours in red chile and spices). 1801 McAllister St. at Baker, 415-440-9411.

Truffles. Crab. Nope, neither suck. At all. From January 23rd through February 5th, ~SPRUCE~ will have a Périgord black truffle menu for dinner service, including potato gnocchi, oxtail ravioli, and more. $125 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity; $50 optional wine pairing.

~AMERICANO~ at Hotel Vitale is hosting a Crab and Champagne Dinner on Friday January 27th in the tented patio (and since the rain went away for the week, it should be a nice setting). Guests will enjoy local Dungeness crab served family-style with drawn butter and housemade sourdough bread, accompanied by Champagne and wine selections. Also on chef Kory Stewart’s menu: heirloom chicory salad with winter citrus, avocado, and ricotta salata, and apple-huckleberry pie with housemade vanilla ice cream for dessert. 6:30pm-8:30pm. $65 per person for three-course dinner, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations must be booked by January 26th: call 415-278-3777 or book a 6:30pm reservation through OpenTable by visiting AmericanoRestaurant.com and noting “Crab & Champagne Dinner” in the Special Requests box.

According to a tweet from ABC7 News, I learned the ~NOBLE CAFE~, reportedly the country’s first 100% carbon-neutral coffee shop, is now open in The Grand apartment building in Oakland. Although I’d like to shoot their website designer who makes me feel like I’m having an eye exam every time I click something on their website, the site mentions that the coffee is from Blue Bottle, with tea from Rishi. You can get French press, pour over, or siphon coffee, plus espresso drinks. There are pastries and some breakfast items, but an all-organic lunch menu will launch later. Open Mon-Fri 7am-7pm. You can read more about the café’s green practices on their Facebook page. 100 Grand Ave., Suite 111 at Valdez, Oakland, 510-444-3800.

And it’s already underway, but the second annual ~OAKLAND RESTAURANT WEEK~ is on now through Sunday January 29th. You can try a bunch of special prix-fixe menus priced at $20, $30, and $40, with drink specials often included. Check it out!

An article in Berkeleyside mentions the opening of ~GREEN EARTH CAFE & BAKERY~, with a menu around macrobiotics, and what they are calling “L.O.V.E.S.” (local, organic, vegan, ethical, sustainable) principles. (Cough.) The menu includes soups (like “cream” of broccoli soup), salads, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, and more—plus desserts. Chef Ciren Zhuoga “has cooked at Manzanita Restaurant in Oakland where she specializes in weekend brunch menus.” Breakfast, lunch, and Saturday brunch for now, and dinner is launching soon. 2124 Center St. at Shattuck, 510-981-8404.

And fans of cooking classes might want to swing by the opening party for the new and second location of ~KITCHEN ON FIRE~ in West Berkeley this Saturday January 28th (7pm-9pm). The mission of founder-chefs Olivier Said and MikeC. is “make great food accessible to everyone by demystifying kitchen and entertaining skills in a fun, technique-driven, empowering environment.” At the party, you can check out the space, sample some breads and pastries, and see what’s in store for the new spot. 2940 7th St. at Potter, Berkeley, 510-548-2665.

The Oakland location of ~B RESTAURANT & BAR~ has a new 510 Happy Hour, and it’s very much what it sounds like: locally focused with lots of 5s, 1s, and 0s. Tuesday to Friday between 5:10pm-6:10pm, all Alameda wines on the menu will be $5.10/glass, rotating cocktails with Hanger One or St. George will be $5.10, and a selection of local beers will also be $5.10. Local wines on their menu hail from Dashe Cellars, Urban Legend, JC Cellars, and Rosenblum Cellars. 499 9th St. at Washington, Oakland, 510-251-8770.

~BOCANOVA~ also has a new happy hour gig, which they’re dubbing Late Nite Boca Bite. Between 9pm-10:30pm Thursday to Saturday, you can get cocktails and Bocaditos at happy hour prices, like yucca and cheese fritters ($4), fried plantains with cilantro aioli ($3), oysters on the half shell ($1.50), Dungeness crab deviled eggs with chipotle aioli ($1.75), a daily taco with pickled cabbage ($3.50), and pork ribs with guava barbecue sauce ($2). Drink specials include special cocktails ($5), select wines ($6), and seven-ounce Linden Street beers ($2.50). Holla for late(r)-night eats! Their regular happy hour runs Mon-Sat 3pm-6pm. 55 Webster St. in Jack London Square, Oakland, 510-444-1233.

I love how I was complaining in my annual rant, the bore, just a few weeks ago about the lack of a decent souvlaki place in this town. Well, well, well, what have we here? A new concept called ~SOUVLA~ from Charles Bililies, which is going to make its debut in San Francisco! The “souvla” is literally the rotisserie rod/roasting spit—and will be playing a major part in this modern take on a souvlaki/gyro joint. Bililies explains Souvla is going to have a Bay Area approach to ingredients, and mark the end of “the mystery cone meat and out-of-season tomatoes—the gyro hasn’t changed in America since the 1970s!”

For about $9, you’ll be able to have pieces of spit-roasted “lamb porchetta”—which is lamb loin wrapped in lamb belly—plus spiced yogurt, salad, Greek cheese, and a variety of sauces to choose from, all tucked into a pita. There will also be some other larger cuts of meat available, from goat to chicken to pork—just depends what’s on the spit that day (larger entrées are also possible). There will be a vegetarian option with roasted vegetables as well. Sides will include a few dishes like roasted potatoes and a dessert or two.

The restaurant will be fast casual (you order at the counter and take a seat or get it to go), but there will also be some tap-based beers and wines (Greek and domestic) that you can have by the glass or carafe. Bililies explains it’s going to be a bit like a Greek taqueria, serving lunch, dinner, and late into the night. And no white walls and blue accents here—Souvla is going to be a modern adaptation of a Greek concept, not a direct facsimile of something you’d find in Crete.

Bililies, a Greek American, has quite the impressive background: an associate’s degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales, a bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, then culinary assistant at The French Laundry, followed by a position as manager of Bouchon. He then moved to the Michael Mina Group, working for Michael Mina restaurant and eventually as operations manager for RN74.

Now, here’s the catch: Souvla is still seeking investors and a first location. The concept is intended to be scalable, with locations throughout the Bay Area (I’m sure we’d all like that). Interested in getting on board? Check out the site for more information, and I’ll of course keep you posted on how this is taking shape! Color me excited.

According to some exciting liquor license application activity, ~BURMA SUPERSTAR~ reveals plans to open a location in the Mission in the former Bodhi (very close to Zeitgeist). Stand by for updates on timing and more. 211 Valencia St. at Duboce.

Over in North Beach, Gianni.TV confirms ~GEPPETTO~ is opening later this week, possibly tomorrow. To review, a couple weeks ago I mentioned this new salumeria in North Beach is from the owner of Trattoria Pinocchio (which is just next door). Details via Gianni are good: a Sicilian focus with dishes like marinated octopus, scungilli (conch), and other prepared dishes, plus imported salumi, cheeses, and other products. He also mentions the GM and man behind the counter, “Steve” Leone, spent 17 years at Molinari. 658 Vallejo St. at Columbus, 415-291-8811.

After an original post on Chowhound followed by many delays (including a shattered gelato case that had to be re-shipped from Italy), the ~ICE CREAM BAR~ is finally due to open in Cole Valley on Saturday January 21st. Owner Juliet Pries says the mostly organic menu will focus on sweets at first and savory items will follow after they open. There will be a dozen ice cream flavors such as roasted pineapple.

If the thought of eating ice cream in this weather gives you the chills, not to worry. The Ice Cream Bar is seeking a beer and wine license to warm you up with a little alcoholic refreshment such as raspberry lambic floats, prosecco sorbet floats, and caramel ice cream floats with lager. As reported in Eater, Pries brought on Russell Davis of Rickhouse to help develop the drinks. Bartenders will be behind the soda fountain creating daily specials and custom drinks from more than 75 herbs, spices, and tinctures. In addition to traditional milkshakes and malts, Ice Cream Bar will serve an old-fashioned drink made with cream, flavoring, ice, and a whole raw egg—but no ice cream!

Pries (who received her first ice cream maker at age six) studied pastry at the California Culinary Academy. So expect to see candies, cookies for ice cream sandwiches, and ice cream cake by the slice. Her savory menu will include items such as grass-fed hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches made with local cheeses. Take a look at Ice Cream Bar’s beautifully remodeled interior—it’s like stepping back into the 1930s (Eater has some fun details about the history of the bar). Open daily 12pm-10pm. 815 Cole St. at Frederick, 415-742-4932.

The next time you walk into Dennis Leary’s ~CANTEEN~ on Sutter, you’re going to do a double-take. Designer Charles de Lisle of Charles de Lisle Workshop has given it an extensive remodel, which includes a lot of floor-to-ceiling plywood. He explains, “We started with the idea of sheathing the room in plywood, to make the character of the space still feel humble, but add some depth and pattern to bring it to an even more intimate and cozy level.” Noting the apple-green counter was gone, he wrote to me, “Dennis was looking three-five years down the road and felt that, just like the style of the ever-changing menu, the interior should have a bit of flexibility to it.” You’ll notice a big “carnival light box” over the counter, with a bright red, powder-coated, perforated steel trough—and now a matching maroon counter. The tables were refitted with cherry red, high-gloss laminate and thick metal banding, plus plywood wine racks were installed, and instead of the bolted-down diner stools at the counter, you’ll now find simple workroom stools from Grainger Industrial Supply. Looks like the kind of place where I’d like to go to work on some of Leary’s eggs Benedict and Parker House rolls.

~DUMPLINGS & BUNS~ in Pacific Heights has expanded its menu with a new section of entrées, soups, and combination plates, like 24-hour Kwan pork sliders, Pau Pau Lee’s tomato beef plate, teriyaki beef skewers with rice, and spicy and sweet “XO” dragon wings made with Cognac, plus three kinds of soup (wonton, Burmese-style chicken noodle, and egg drop), salad wraps, and more. Don’t forget some dessert dumplings to go. Open Tue-Sun 11am-8pm. 2411 California St. at Fillmore, 415-292-6209.

In the Sunset, Eater mentions there’s a new café called ~DRIP COFFEE BAR~ across the street from Sunrise Deli. The house coffee and espresso is from Sightglass, and there are some items to eat, plus free Wi-Fi. 1916 Irving St. at 21st Ave.

LiveSOMA reports a third location of ~PALIO CAFFÈ~ will be opening today. There are panini, soups, and more. Hours are Mon-Fri 5:30am-6:30pm. 163 2nd St. at Natoma.

It’s that time of the year, when ~POGGIO~’s bollito misto is back! Offered Mon-Wed in the evenings, the bollito carello (cart) will wheel up, serving slowly simmered meats such as housemade cotechino sausage, beef tongue, brisket, veal breast, and oxtail, all carved tableside. $19 (dinner only) and available until spring.

Spork may have closed last month, but after a couple tweets I learned ~RICE BROKER~ has opened in its place. It’s a temporary concept from Neil Jorgensen that’s built around rice bowls topped with combinations like panko-breaded chicken breast, shaved Brussels sprouts, and Korean-style barbecue sauce (check out the menu here). You can follow updates on Twitter. Open Wed-Sun for dinner; cash only. 1058 Valencia St. at 21st St.

Tipster Jason B. let me know downtown’s Crêpe o Chocolat has closed, and ~BIO~ has opened in its place. Nope, no more crêpes, although there is housemade yogurt in the mornings and sandwiches for lunch on the menu. 75 O’Farrell St. at Stockton, 415-362-0255.

Weird, after closing in August, it looks like ~JASMINE TEA HOUSE~ in Bernal is reopening—according to ABC files, there is some new activity with the permit (the licensee and officers are new, so maybe there are new owners). A couple Yelpers report it’s reopening. 3253 Mission St. at 29th St.

More Chinese restaurant mysteries: a tablehopper reader wrote in, asking what was going on with ~BIG LANTERN~ in the Mission after espying a sign in the window that said “closed for remodeling.” A Yelper has this to add: “Closed for remodeling until January 27th they told me when I called on January 15th.” 3170 16th St. at Albion, 415-863-8100.

The Richmond notices ~YET WAH~ has gone from closed to remodeling, based on a sign in their window. 2140 Clement St. at 22nd Ave.

And in SoMa, you’ll be able to make kinky jokes about your coffee grind since ~WICKED GROUNDS~ has reopened, according to a post on LiveSOMA. 289 8th St. at Tehama, 415-503-0405.

Looks like Charles Phan has already reopened ~THE MOSS ROOM~ for lunch, according to Scoop. It’s open from 11am-3pm, and you can look at Slanted Door chef de cuisine Justine Kelly and Phan’s new menu here, featuring salads, imperial rolls, and some larger dishes like fried chicken with sriracha butter and a burger on focaccia. Expect more changes and news in coming weeks.

Scoop also brings word of changes to the menu at ~TXOKO~. Chef Ian Begg’s new menu has shifted to more of a traditional appetizer/entrée format, although you can still order his small bites/pintxos at the bar. I really enjoy Begg’s refined food and flavors but had some issues with the original format, so I never reviewed Txoko for tablehopper. Am happy to see the menu additions and changes—I think it’s going to help fill that big space up more (and diners’ bellies). Can’t wait to try the wood oven-roasted chicken.

After a tip-off from this job listing on Craigslist, I learned ~PARK TAVERN~ will be launching brunch soon. Owner Anna Weinberg confirms brunch will served on Saturdays and Sundays, with savory dishes like wood-fired eggs. Weinberg and chef-owner Jenn Puccio just finished a whirlwind brunch trip of New York for inspiration, hitting something like four brunches a day—go ladies! Look for a soft launch the last weekend of February (the 25th-26th). I’ll have a menu for you soon.

And Mission Loc@l resports ~MR. POLLO~ is now open for lunch. Yeah, Manny’s amazing arepas can be yours during the day! Mon-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm. 2823 Mission St. at 24th St., 415-374-5546.

Food and bikes? Of course I’m all over it. On Friday January 27th, Bespoke bicycles (who make custom bikes by hand) and Vélo Classic Tours are hosting A Night of Cycling/A Taste of Italy with food and wine provided by Bar Bambino. Swing by from 6pm-9pm at Bespoke’s sleek new showroom in Pacific Heights. It’s free, all you need to do is RSVP by Monday January 23rd to attend. 2843 Clay St. at Scott.

Take meatless Mondays a step further to Tuesdays with either of these vegetarian/vegan-focused events. The ~MUSEUM OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA~ invites you to a book party to celebrate Bryant Terry’s new book, The Inspired Vegan. You’ll be celebrating the author’s birthday too! Enjoy entertainment from The Marcus Shelby Trio, Renee Wilson, and DJs Max Champ and Ellen Choy, and food and drinks by Roger Feely and Soul Cocina, featuring recipes from The Inspired Vegan, and SLO Down Wines. Tuesday January 24th, 7:30pm-9pm. $15, or $30 with signed copy of the book. Tickets online. 685 Mission St. at 3rd St.

And for another inspired vegetarian event, food tour startup ~DISHCRAWL~ is hosting a tour they’re calling Vegetarian for Carnivores in the Mission. On January 31st, 7pm-9pm, explore four Mission restaurants famous for vegetarian offerings (not all restaurants are vegetarian). Restaurant locations are secret until 48 hours before the event, but you can get hints on Twitter. $39; only 9 spots left.

~CAÑA~ in Oakland, a Cuban-Cali café to the right of the Grand Lake Theater, has now opened the Parlor side to their business, a full-service restaurant. You can check out the Parlor menu here, with dishes like plantain-crusted fish and asopao (Cuban risotto with braised ham hock, chorizo picante, green peas, and carrot), and there are also rum and agricole cocktails, plus an in-house cane press and boutique Spanish wines. Dinner 5pm-9:30pm. 530-2 Lake Park Ave. at Grand, Oakland, 510-832-1515.

Folks wondering where the Oakland location of ~UMAMI BURGER~ is opening can now look forward to it opening at 2100 Franklin St., just around the corner from the Paramount. Scoop reveals the location will have about 100 seats. The rep for Umami Burger says timing for the opening of this location has not been determined yet, but it will be before the end of the year. 2100 Franklin St. at 21st St., Oakland.

A post on Chowhound mentions ~BABETTE CAFE~ has moved into the Remedy space at the Berkeley Art Museum, serving breakfast, housemade pastries, lunch items, Ritual Coffee, and snacks. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. 2625 Durant Ave. at Bowditch, Berkeley, 510-717-8984.

~MANRESA~ in Los Gatos has announced Bobi Adle as the new GM—diners who frequent Frances will recognize him (he has been there since the opening).

Grub Street reveals chef Max DiMare has left ~WOOD TAVERN~ for a gig in Los Angeles. Owner Rich Wood has promoted Yang Ping to chef de cuisine—she has been working with DiMare the past four years and since the beginning of the restaurant.

Lots going on north of the city: first, after 40 years when it first opened, the new location of the historic ~SWEETWATER MUSIC HALL~ is opening Friday January 27th, thanks to investors that include Bob Weir, famously of the Grateful Dead. It’s a state-of-the-art nightclub and café opening in the first floor of the 107-year-old Masonic Lodge No. 356 in Mill Valley; after an extensive renovation, it now has a cutting-edge Meyer Sound system and streaming video technology to broadcast live events. There’s a full-service restaurant led by Gordon Drysdale (Pizza Antica, Café des Amis). Diners will order at a counter and will be served by staff, but subsequent orders can be placed tableside. Look for breakfast, lunch, patio dining, and musical Sunday brunches in the spring. 19 Corte Madera Ave. at Lovell, Mill Valley, 415-388-3850.

One more project from our dear Deadheads: bassist Phil Lesh is behind ~TERRAPIN CROSSROADS~, a restaurant and concert space opening in February in San Rafael in the former Seafood Peddler location. The Bay Citizen reports it will “double as performance space featuring music, poetry and lectures covering everything from ‘cosmology to history to environmental issues to building team spirit.’” Dood. Entertainment is due to begin in March. For many more details, check out this piece in the San Anselmo-Fairfax Patch. 100 Yacht Club Dr. at Francisco, San Rafael.

Eater notes ~BLUE BARN GOURMET~ is going to open a location in Corte Madera in the now-closed Bryan’s Market in Town Center Corte Madera. There will reportedly be around 30 seats and room for 10 at the bar, where there will be wines and beers on tap. Partners Sam Josi, Nate Valentine, and Stryker Scales plan to open in October. (And for those wondering about the upcoming Polk Street location, timing is still TBD.)

Pizza fanatics around the city are going to be really thrilled with this piece of news: Jon Darsky—the original pizzaiolo known for his fantastic pizzas when he was part of the flour + water opening team—is now releasing details about his upcoming project, ~DEL POPOLO~. Nope, it’s not a brick-and-mortar spot in the Mission—-it’s going to be a one-of-a-kind mobile pizzeria, the likes of which you have yet to see anywhere. Darsky has been working with fabricators and designers to transform a deconstructed transatlantic shipping container that’s 20’ long and 8’ wide into a mobile unit that will house a 5,000-pound, Stefano Ferrara wood-burning oven that’s welded to the floor with a steel pedestal. Not only that, but the exhibition kitchen is enclosed by three glass doors, so you’ll be able to watch your pizza being made. Yeah, this is gonna be fun.

The name means “of the people,” and the pricing is definitely going to be that: all pizzas are 12” with the vegetarian options going for an accessible $10, and meat pizzas will be $12. Darsky will be doing his trademark thin-crust, Neapolitan-style pizzas made with organic ingredients sourced from small producers, both domestic and Italian. On offer will be three kinds a day, and the oven is capable of producing 72 pizzas an hour. There will even be an on-board dough mixer! The truck will be in operation for both lunch and dinner. Oh, and another innovation: the pizza boxes will be a lot slimmer than you are used to seeing—hey, it’s a thin crust, so why use such a big box?

He’s been hard at work for the past 18 months getting this all figured out—there’s nothing like being an original case study, especially when Mies Van Der Rohe is one of your inspirations. Since Del Popolo is a mobile operation, some special considerations had to be made for how to transport the brick pizza oven safely, like the industrial airbags that inflate around the support arms of the container to minimize vibration to the oven during transit (they had to call in some specialists to figure that one out). There will also be a step-down feature of the truck, so instead of customers craning their necks up to place an order like at a food truck, they will be eye level with employees. Darsky worked with a local designer on fine tuning some of the project details, and McLellan Industries in Hanford, California, handled fabrication and production.

There will be some test runs coming up, so be sure to follow @pizzadelpopolo on Twitter. The truck will take up less than two parking spaces, but there’s no word where exactly it will be parking around town just yet. The launch is scheduled for February 2012, possibly on the later side of the month.

I first learned about chef Noriyuki “Nori” Sugie from chef Joel Huff, a former (amazing) chef at Silks, who said Sugie was a huge influence on his cooking (Sugie was at Asiate at the Mandarin Oriental in New York). Sugie has some serious chops, cooking in France’s Michelin-starred L’Aubergade, Sydney’s Restaurant VII, and Chicago’s Charlie Trotter’s. (He also roasts some delicious coffee.) Back in 2008, I posted a story about Sugie’s project at the Spencer House in the Haight, but that didn’t pan out. And now he is officially up from Los Angeles to be the executive chef of Mari Takahashi and Gil Payne’s ~NOMBE~ in the Mission.

A simultaneous announcement in the Scoop and a press release mention he will start with lunch service, adding his specialty ramen to the menu starting today, Tuesday January 10th. While running his pop-up ramen night at BREADBAR in LA, he became known for his beef ramen, which will is now appearing at Nombe, with additions like cheek, short rib, oxtail, and beef tongue. Each base is $10, with several additions plus rice dishes also available. He will also be adding a few dishes to the dinner menu, until his entirely new menu launches in February. Nombe is open for lunch Tue-Fri 11am-2pm, dinner Tue-Sun beginning at 6pm, brunch Sat-Sun 11am-2pm.

According to this piece in The Bay Citizen, Café Gratitude has resolved the lawsuits that threatened to close their locations, and now some of the group’s restaurants will stay open (it’s not clear which locations will stay open). You’d think they would mention the good news on their Facebook page; instead, there is just an ad for a line cook at the Berkeley restaurant—guess that bodes well for that location. I reached out to a representative for the organization, we’ll see what they say. The whole thing is as clear as a bowl of live almond hummus. I Am Intrigued.

As previously mentioned on tablehopper, the partners behind ~SONS & DAUGHTERS~ have now opened ~SWEET WOODRUFF~, their new carry-out spot. Items include onion brioche soup, suckling pig sandwich, and a roasted mushroom sandwich; check out the full menu here. Opening hours are Tue-Sat 11am-3pm to start. 798 Sutter St. at Jones, 415-292-9090.

Opening this Friday January 13th is ~O3 BISTRO & LOUNGE~ in the former CPK on Van Ness. There are about 45 seats in the contemporary dining room, with a spacious bar and lounge with room for 35 (you can check out photos in their Facebook album). Chef Joseph Villanueva’s (previously at Le Colonial) pan-Asian dinner menu includes braised oxtail tacos with a jicama cabbage slaw in a wonton shell ($9) to larger plates like seared scallops, lobster garlic noodles, baby bok choy, uni XO sauce ($27). Lunch has fried chicken, a burger, and glass noodle salad ($7-$13). Cocktails range from $11-$12, and are made with fresh juices. Hours will be Mon-Wed 11am-11pm and Thu-Sat 11am-2am (kitchen closes at 11pm). A late-night bar menu may launch later. There will also be pre-show service for those attending the symphony and opera house nearby—and it should also be a handy spot for lunch when you’re in the neighborhood for jury duty. Ugh, jury duty. Hope I didn’t just jinx myself. 524 Van Ness Ave. at McAllister, 415-934-9800.

Tipster-about-town Jason B. let me know there was some activity at the old Beautifull! space at Gold’s in the Castro, and it looked like the folks from Bistro SF Grill on California were opening something. A call to SF Grill confirmed they are going to be opening a hot sandwich and panino place, ~BISTRO SF GRILL CASTRO~, using some of the meat they use for their burgers (like their merguez burger), in addition to offering classic panini, like prosciutto and mozzarella, and more. Hours will be 11am-10pm, possibly later on the weekends. Look for an opening at the end of January. 2301 Market St. at Noe.

Jason also let me know “Caffe Bella Venezia is officially gone on Post and has recently been replaced by … ~ITHAI~. iReally?” Yup, iReally. 720 Post St. at Jones, 415-345-9999.

A reader at Eater mentioned displaced ~ESTELA’S FRESH SANDWICHES~ is reportedly now open in the former Cafe Prima Fila space in the Lower Nob Hill. Estela’s will be making their sandwiches here until they can move back into their Fillmore Street location that was burnt in the September fire, which could be quite a while. No number available yet. 891 Bush St. at Taylor.

More New Year casualties: Eater notes ~MEXICO DF~ in SoMa has closed, although “owners Victor Hugo Juarez and company are hanging on to their other Mexican restaurant, Chilango in the Castro.” Inside Scoop chimes in that the owner of Unicorn Pan Asian Cuisine in the FiDi, Kiet Trong, will be opening a restaurant called Region, serving “comfort Asian food with California style and techniques” this spring. 139 Steuart St. at Howard.

For those who travel on the 101, you may be familiar with the looming ~RUSSIA HOUSE~, which Grub Street reports is closing in four months. Back in December, a reader alerted me to a lawsuit filed by Alex Gershteyn versus Russia House, which stated: “Complaint for negligence and premises liability. Defendant Russia House did not provide enough security to prevent systematic acts of violence. The plaintiff was a bystander to a fight in which he was pushed in the back, fell to the floor and broke his wrist.” I guess there’s an ugly side to the vodka-fueled fiestas over there. 2011 Bayshore Blvd. at Hester.

Oh, and a quick update on the whereabouts of chef Michael Morrison, previously at the now-closed ~THE MOSS ROOM~. He got back to me after last week’s column had already posted, informing me he will now be shifting his focus full time to COCO500. Ends up he was spending time at both kitchens, but now he’s going to be able to dedicate more time to a whole-animal program and other projects at the restaurant.

Bartenders and late risers: you should know ~DEAR MOM,~ in the Mission now has their bartenders’ brunch up and running. What this means is you can shake the Fernet out of your hair and come by for brunch on Sundays from 11:30am-5pm. This coming Sunday January 15th will be round two for guest chefs Josh DeClercq and Ken Cazenas, two local cooks who are cooking together as B.G.’s Brunch. On the menu: warm mushroom salad, poached egg ($12); smoked salmon, bagel, cream cheese, pickled red onion, caper, dill ($11); roasted Brussels with lardo, fried egg, lemon-horseradish crème fraîche ($10); and more.

The last two Sundays of January will be brought to you by the folks who run the Fogcutter truck. For their menu, options may be toad in the hole, pork belly hash, and pancake soufflés (all $6-$12). 2700 16th St. at Harrison, 415-625-3362.

Adding to the already plentiful breakfast options at the Ferry Building Marketplace, ~GOTT’S ROADSIDE~ will now be serving some breakfast, like a Southern sandwich of buttermilk fried chicken tenders, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and charred jalapeño mayo ($5.99). Yeah, a food coma is imminent with that bad boy. There will also be some egg and soft corn taco options, plus French toast, and non-fat yogurt with granola and fresh fruit for you Lululemon-wearing types. Served daily 7am-11am. Breakfast will be served strictly to-go from Gott’s takeout window in the main market hall. 415-318-3423.

After a quickie post-holiday closure, ~QUINCE~ has made some adjustments to the bar and 16-seat lounge area, offering new seating and dining-height tables. The new bar menu features an array of fish crudos, ordered individually or as a tasting ($24), such as a halibut with pink grapefruit, fried nettle and lime ($14), or hiramasa with puntarelle, blood orange, and olive ($16). My favorite development: you can now order caviar by the spoon, instead of just the ounce (but it’s still not cheap: for $25, you get a 5-gram spoon of Royal Osetra Caviar—yeah, it’s almost as expensive as other bad habits that get weighed by the gram). There will also be a prosciutto tasting ($18), a Sonoma foie gras torchon with caramelized persimmon salad ($24; well, for the next six months), some cheeses from the infamous cart ($6 each), and desserts.

Some pop-up action for you this month. First, since ~NAMU~ in the Inner Richmond is closed, and the upcoming ~NAMU GAJI~ is a month or so away, the brothers are going to be doing a series of late evening pop-up dinners at ~FOUR BARREL COFFEE~ the next few Fridays. You’ll be able to swing by for okonomiyaki, ramen, and their famed Korean fried chicken. Click here for info and tickets.

Have you had a chance to sample the very fine barbecue from ~SLOW HAND~? Well now you’ll be able to at ~THE DOCTOR’S LOUNGE~ (previously mentioned in tablehopper here), starting this Friday January 13th. Look for brisket (delicious!), ribs, pulled pork, and more. Dinner service starts at 6pm. Future dates TBD. 4826 Mission St. at Ocean, 415-586-9730.

Over in the East Bay, ~LOCAL CAFÉ~ on Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue is hosting the first in a series of wine-pairing dinners with certified sommelier Ian Burrows. He and chef Colin Etezadi (formerly of Boot and Shoe, Camino, Pizzaiolo) will be hosting a special four-course dinner on Wednesday January 25th at 6:30pm, paired with wines for $72. For reservations, email or call 510-338-3319. 4395 Piedmont Ave. at Pleasant Valley, Oakland.

Yeah, yeah, we all resolved to work out more this year, so how ‘bout working out the ol’ palate with any of these groovy events? The next New Taste Marketplace is the place for local food grooves, and it’s coming up this Saturday January 14th, noon-5pm. Try the vegetarian Chinese puff pastries, sweet and savory, handmade by Blissful Pastries, or the creative hard candies from Confounding Confections in flavors like orange marmalade, chai spice, and tea with lemon. Enjoy live music too throughout the afternoon, including Lauren Strum and Bill Hansel. Don’t forget, this community-minded market is a fundraiser for The Food Pantry. St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church, 500 De Haro St. at Mariposa.

Did the mention of Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil in the ‘hopper’s holiday guide pique your interest? Find out more when ~PURCELL MURRAY~ hosts author Tom Mueller for a tasting, discussion, and book signing—plus Middle Eastern luncheon of mezze with Anissa Helou—on Wednesday January 18th, 11am-1pm. Jane Goldman will moderate the discussion, and Mueller will lead a tasting of extra virgin olive oils from Palestine, Italy, Spain, California, and Australia. $50. Reservations: 415-330-5557. 185 Park Ln. at Valley Dr., Brisbane.

Beer and chocolate pairing—this is gonna be an interesting palate workout. Put aside Tuesday January 31st, 7pm-9pm, for Taste and Savor Chocolate: Palate Development Class from Dandelion Chocolate (you can read about their upcoming Valencia Street project here) and ~18 REASONS~. Pete Slosberg will talk about the process of making chocolate from bean to bar, then take you through taste comparisons between major brands and local chocolatiers, tasting white, milk, and dark chocolates. Finally, taste Dandelion’s chocolate and end the night with a beer and chocolate pairing. $25 members, $35 general public, purchase tickets online.