Benu, Corey Lee's "breathtaking" restaurant in the old Hawthorne Lane spot, is the eighth Bay Area joint to crack The Chronicle's solemn four-star ceiling. And rightfully so. Lee's place is, for lack of a better descriptive, rad. In fact, radical might be the best word to use because, as Michael Bauer points out, Lee "is not afraid to mix cultures, always with rousing success." He's also not afraid to use fish sperm. So there's that. more ›

The Bay Area's continuing sanctification of chefs (what in heaven's name do you think Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham would say regarding this trend of placing cooks on such high pedestals?) goes further with the Commonwealth Club's upcoming "Meet 'n Eat with SF's Hottest Young Chef" at Bar Agricole. more ›

After a couple of years of everyone bemoaning "the economy," we get some more encouraging news today, including the employment numbers, and this bit from the Chron about how well Bay Area restaurants did in the fourth quarter of 2011. Rob Black, executive director of San Francisco's Golden Gate Restaurant, says that local restaurateurs say it was the best quarter they've had in years. more ›

Benu, San Francisco's Michelin two-star restaurant run by artist/chef Cory Lee, garnered raves from critics and diners alike since it opened in 2010. Rightfully so. The sparsely-decorated joint and Lee's avant-garde molecular gastronomy, with Asian and European touches, are unparalleled. We were fortunate enough to have our birthday dinner there over the weekend thanks to friends with fat wallets and even fatter hearts. (Per person? 12 courses for $180, add $120 more for wine pairings.) And while we typically loathe diners who snap shots of their food with their phones, we couldn't resist taking footage of Benu's whimsical birthday box and cake that arrived at our table. more ›

Well, they're good. No, they're great. That's for certain. Tastiness abounded in 2011. But the selection, it seems, wasn't as nearly as difficult to choose from compared to 2010. Not that 2011 sucked, but... well, you know: A lot of shit opened in 2010, acclaimed and divine shit that made foodies take to Twitter and never shut up about it. That, in a gastronomic nutshell, was 2010. more ›

PBR-drinking chef Ron Eyester of Rosebud restaurant and Family Dog bar in Atlanta isn't keen on certain types so customers—namely, those who aren't well-versed in the delicate ways of consuming his artisan down-home food. Or something like that. Enter his recent article on dining manners over on Eatocracy. "I am very proud of the relationships that my staff and I have developed with many of our regular guests," Eyester notes, adding. "but there is also another 'special demographic of folks' that are worth mentioning." And that demographic could be you. All of these poor diners (sometimes literally, since many cannot afford to eat overpriced onion rings these days) share a "common thread of ignorance that makes them easily identifiable by both restaurant employees and the everyday diner alike." more ›

Hayes Valley's chicken-on-a-stick-themed Nojo (pronounced "No, Joe!") stands as one of the best restaurants of 2011. Although tucked inside an aesthetically-blah apartment complex, chef Greg Dunmore's fare is anything but. The delicate Japanese grub, served in small-plate portions, is as shocking (fried chicken skin on a stick, "spam" rice balls) as it is comfy (duck breast teppenyaki, bacon-wrapped scallions). Which is why you should snap up a reservation at this searingly-hot spot for dinner come New Year's Eve. more ›

Two Department of Public Health employees tasked with making sure restaurant employees know how to properly handle your food have been accused of soliciting bribes in exchange for faking documents that ensure every restaurant has a certified Food Safety Manager on staff. A city investigation in to the fake certifications discovered hundreds of falsely certified restaurant managers. more ›

In food and mammary news, the Hooters in Fishermen's Wharf will close its doors for good this month. They're slated to put away the boobage on December 21, the store manager explained to SFist. For a taste as to what Hooters has/had to offer, local writer Beth Spotswood visited the chain restaurant earlier this year. In part, she writes: "What I don’t understand is why you’d ever want to go to Hooters in the first place. Are boobs really that much of a novelty for the patrons of Hooters? Is proximity to hot chicks and gross food that much of a rarity? The sweet girls working there, lovely as they are, walk around in an incredibly unappealing uniform, like a sexed up version of the Hot Dog on a Stick ensemble. Of all the places on Fisherman’s Wharf to dine, why would anyone go to Hooters?" more ›

Penthouse, noted purveyor of labial entertainment, will bring "four-star dining" to San Francisco in early 2012 via the city's very own Penthouse Club & Steakhouse. While the exact space is not yet know, we're going to assume it's somewhere in North Beach (near the Hustler Club) or SOMA (what's up with Temple these days, anyway?). Huge Penthouse fans over at Grub Street have more: "They say the space is 15,000 square feet, and the new, clearly enormous club will feature gourmet dining, deluxe bottle service, state of the art light and sound systems, as well as — yep — topless dancers and appearances by Penthouse Pets. If you're the kind of gentlemen who thinks this sounds intriguing, you can sign up here for updates." more ›

In light of today's news that all Northern California Café Gratitude restaurants will close or be sold, owner Terces Engelhart made plea to supporters today. She asked fans and, ahem, followers interested in helping the company to either purchase retail items, or sign up for Landmark Forum-tinged workshops. more ›

Terces Engelhart, owner of Café Gratitude, just posted the following announcement on her Facebook page announcing the closure/sale of all Northern California Café Gratitudes locations. According to Englehart, some "aggressive lawsuits" from former employees brought her to the decision to shutter her vegan/cult restaurants. more ›

The Ritz-Carlton's new restaurant, Parallel 37, will open its doors before Christmas (say what you will about the tony hotel establishment, but its San Francisco locale is the place to go during festivities surrounding the birthday of that alleged Lord and Savior), which you can try out soon. Very soon. They're taking lunch and dinner reservations at OpenTable. So... hurry. more ›

Move over food trucks, now there's something keener... like brick-and-mortar establishments that don't require food served to you from the back of a Honda. Take, for example, noted food truck Bacon Bacon, seller of such delectable items as grilled cheese tomato and bacon jam sandwiches, spicy belly fries (topped w/ pork belly trimmings), the bacon bouquet (a bunch of bacon bundled like flowers), and chocolate-covered bacon. more ›

Don Harbison, owner of B Restaurant and Bar (with locations in SF and Oakland), sent SFist a list of Oakland companies taking part in today's general strike by going cash-only and eschewing credit cards. Air Lounge, Caffe 817, Ratto's, OB's, Pacific Coast Brewing Company (decided to close today), Quickly's, Coobi, Cosecha Cafe, Liege, Marketing Kings, Lucky Barbershop, Ajuda Day Spa, The Trappist, Tamarindo, and La Calle are all going cash-only for today to show support for Occupy Oakland and today's general strike. more ›

So much has been said, shouted, and ballyhooed about the 99%, so let's talk about the 1%, shall we? Specifically, the de-lovely Denise Hale. For those of you not in the know, Hale was featured in one of the most important pieces of journalism of our time. In addition to hanging out with homosexuals and working at her cattle ranch near Cloverdale--why not?--she's a national treasure encrusted in actual treasures. Furthermore, she has the unadulterated adoration of prominent food scribe Michael Bauer. more ›

The 2012 Michelin stars are slowly trickling in today. Chefs and restaurants are given the news via a phone call (similar to the ones semi-finalists receive on America's Next Top Model). So far, according to Grub Street (who are live-blogging the news), Benu (rad!), Baumé, and Saison received two fresh new stars. Sons & Daughters and Atelier Crenn both scored one. more ›

This afternoon's mail brings with it news of two restaurant closures that might come as sad news to some of the millions who call themselves foodies in these parts: According to Tablehopper, Charanga, in the Mission, is closing in November after 13 years; and Orson, Elizabeth Falkner's enormous restaurant in SoMa that made a splash upon opening in 2007, is going to close and become an event space (for holiday parties) and pop-up venue, at least through the holidays. more ›

Recall last week when we dubiously picked up on a story from the Contra Costa Times that claimed some workers in "high-class" San Francisco restaurants wanted to make a 25% tip the standard? Well, Inside Scoop has gotten to the bottom of the outrageous and viral hearsay after checking in with Rob Black, executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, who confirms, "As far as we can tell, it's a complete fabrication." Which, duh, that should be obvious. But the sloppy piece of comment bait might have repercussions outside of the comment section of the Contra Costa Times website. more ›

After the Michael Bauer stirred up controversy by suggesting the city's Healthy SF program was to blame for San Francisco's crappy tipping, some members of the service industry are pushing to make a 25% tip the standard. Or maybe some members of the foodie press are just trying to cook up some controversy of their own. We're not sure yet, but here's Ed Arnow of the Conta Costa Times quoting unnamed "media sources" inside "high-class restaurants" in the city who are supposedly pushing for this. more ›

It is if you're David Chang. See, in a recent Wall Street Journal piece, the noted chef opined that Benu, SoMa's modern restaurant of well-executed divinity, could very well be the next El Bulli. Or Jack's Bistro. Or Roy's. (Ha! Kidding. Unless coconut shrimp still amuses your bouche, no self-respecting artisan mafia member likes Roy's. Perish the thought.) Wall Street Journal reports: more ›

In the recently-launched Zagat SF/Bay Area 2011 Restaurant Guide, San Francisco ranked the worst when it comes to tipping. (Side note: Is $2 too much for a $10 cab ride? Please advise.) Bay Area diners polled in Zagat note that they tip an of average of 18.6%. Which is to say, you're cheap, San Francisco. (Ideally one should tip at least 20% for decent service, yes?) In today's Between Means on Inside Scoop, Michael Bauer dares to suggest that Healthy SF's three or four percent -- the small fee added to you bill to make health care services accessible and affordable for uninsured residents -- is to blame. more ›

Last night at Park Tavern in North Beach, Gary Danko, Google's Marissa Mayer, and your very own SFist editor, among other gastronomic/media types, eschewed SF Cocktail Week's kickoff to attend the the Zagat SF/Bay Area 2011 Restaurant Guide launch. For the second year in a row, Gary Danko took top honors in several key categories. For your consideration, here are the 2011 'Top Food Overall' top ten in San Francisco/Bay Are. Behold. more ›

The disparity between real life and the city's increasingly out-of-touch gastronomic set came to light over the weekend when Mission Local published a revealing article about the overlap of foodies and gangs in the Mission. After Gaspar ‘Tio’ Puch-tzek, a line cook at Hog & Rocks, was shot and killed last month in a case of mistaken identity, Mission Local asked neighborhood food fans for their thoughts on the recent spat of shootings. The answer may not surprise you. more ›

Michael Bauer's exceptional Between Meals feature has provided thought-provoking fodder as of late. Why, just the other day he asked readers if iPads have a place at restaurant tables. Which they do not, but... sometimes they do. See, a few patrons at a noted Mission restaurant brought in an iPad in to watch the U.S. Open recently, much to the disgust of their server. Said server fumed to Bauer: more ›

After a long day at work, you know what's nice? Alcohol. You know what else is nice? Not having to decide what to eat. Which is why we love a comparatively easier prix fixe menu. And with that, BlackboardEat will offer $65 and $55 at 25 Lusk and Bourbon Steak, respectively. On Thursday, 8/18, they're announcing a six-course prix fixe at 25 Lusk for $65 that's centered around a strawberries and champagne theme. Sexy! And then, next Tuesday, they will have a three-course prix fixe menu at Michael Mina's joint for a comparatively scant $55 featuring loads of meat. Manly! more ›

Mobile Spinach, a Groupon-like site based in San Francisco, offers restaurant deals that seems too good to be true. Which just might be the case. Grub Street reports that the coupon site offers half-off deals at such feted places like Boulevard, Delfina, and Mama's, just to name a few. Turns out none of those restaurants agreed to such an offer. more ›

Nopalito, the bustling little hermana to Nopa's well-loved Californian establishment, is about to get another sibling restaurant in the Inner Sunset. As the ever-vigilante and always hungry Tablehopper reports this afternoon, the purveyors of locally sourced Mexican cuisine will be taking over Bistro 9's old home at 9th Avenue and Lincoln. Naturally, with a second, bigger space comes new opportunities to for the staff to expand their ever-changing menu as well. Marcia at Tablehopper dishes: more ›

You've heard of the woman trying to drink at every bar in San Francisco. You've heard of the guy trying to stomach every Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. Now meet the man trying to eat at every single San Francisco restaurant, period. Jason Bennett took on the seemingly insurmountable task over two years ago. Since then, he’s eaten, digested, and pooped out grub from over 2,000 places." Inside Scoop notes: "He uses a spreadsheet to track all the restaurants by cuisine, neighborhood, and so on; he records his conquests on Yelp." more ›

It's been quite some time since Chronicle food critic of note Michael Bauer yanked the star from a ho-hum restaurant. Updating his initial two-star review of the Presidio-based food joint La Terrasse, Bauer left displeased compared to his 2007 visit. He rips: more ›