Top Chef Masters Season 2 Cast Is Decidedly Short on San Franciscans

Wylie Dufresne can't say no to Bravo, but clearly most of SF's chefs can.Photo: Melissa Horn

Six chefs are returning to compete in the sophomore season of Bravo's Top Chef Masters, but none of them are from San Francisco — and nor are any of the fresh competitors. As EW reports, the returnees include molecular gastromony enthusiast Wylie Dufresne, who's become a favorite of the Top Chef franchise, and chef Mark Peel of Campanile in L.A. Among the newcomers are herb enthusiast Jerry Traunfeld of Poppy in Seattle, NY's Marcus Samuelsson, and Susan Feniger of L.A.'s Street.

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Rare Soprano Sighting in FiDi

James Gandolfini supped at Kokkari last night with writer/director Philip Kaufman (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Unbearable Lightness of Being). Could they have been discussing Kaufman's Challenger, his space shuttle flick still in production? [Tablehopper]

Is SF Losing Women Chefs?

"It may sound sexist, but I always refer back to Madeleine Kamman, who claimed that she could always tell when a woman was in the kitchen because they cook in a more humble, nurturing — but no less delicious — way." — Michael Bauer, lamenting his perceived thinning of the ranks of women in SF kitchens. Careful Michael... we doubt most women chefs would buy into that essentialism. [Between Meals]

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Pot Dispensary to Move Into Former Scharffen Berger Chocolate Factory

Photo: ViniCultured

The Berkeley City Council gave the green light yesterday to a medical marijuana dispensary to move into the former Sharffen Berger headquarters at 914 Heinz Avenue, against the objections of some residents and business owners, as the Oakland Tribune reports. "Everyone in Berkeley says they believe in medical marijuana, but not in their neighborhood," says Debby Goldsberry, Director of Berkeley Patients Group, the dispensary in question.

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Another Pasta Pomodoro Goes Down

The Cow Hollow location of Pasta Pomodoro is now slated to shutter in the next two months, making it the fourth in the franchise to close its doors in SF, as Eater reports. Looks like the new owners of the mini-empire must be clearing dead weight off the balance sheets, or else this closure was a condition of the sale. Next up in the same space: a place called Unwind on Union, which sounds suspiciously like a wine bar.

Yet Another Pasta Pomodoro Slated to Shutter [Eater]
Earlier: Pasta Pomodoro Empire Changes Hands [Grub Street]

Calculating the Opportunity Cost of Denny’s Free Grand Slam

Nationwide today Denny's is offering their Grand Slam breakfast for free until 2 p.m., marking the second year of this recession-era promotion. SF Weekly also marks their second year of invoking John Stuart Mill and calculating the "opportunity cost" of waiting in line an hour or more for a meal worth $5.99, factoring in a "Dignity Constant" and "Patience Factor" as well. Yes guys, we get it. It's greasy and not worth it unless you're homeless. And you're nerds.

Denny's Complimentary Grand Slam Only 'Free' To Those Who Can't Do Math [SF Weekly, diagram here]

Michelle Obama Wants Kids to Get Moving

It's entirely logical that Michelle Obama's followup to her super high-profile White House garden would be a program aimed at fighting childhood obesity. Her "Let's Move" campaign launches today, kicked off by a Presidential memorandum that coordinates federal agencies to promote better health with a 90-day plan. The First Lady's four-pronged attack aims for more physical activity in schools and communities, wider availability of healthy food, and clearer nutrition information. [WSJ; CBN]

Suede Nightclub Shutters Voluntarily After Shooting

This past weekend's shooting at Suede near Fisherman's Wharf, which left one dead and four injured, sparked an uproar in the neighborhood and the club has now offered to close for 30 days, the Examiner reports. District Supervisor David Chiu says he is asking various city departments to find whatever tools they may have to shut the club down. "They have clearly not demonstrated their ability to keep our neighborhood safe and to ensure public safety," chides Chiu.

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How to Infiltrate Villa Taverna; New Olympic Menu Items Appear at Canadian McDonald’s

• The Bold Italic ventures into some of the city's most rarefied private club spaces, like Villa Taverna and The University Club. [Bold Italic]

• Traci Des Jardins's new ballpark replacements, Mijita and Public House, are still in the pre-plywood phase over in the former Acme Chophouse space. [Eater]

• Crushpad, the place where you could make your own wine using high-quality grapes, is moving from SF to Napa. [W. Blake Gray]

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Appetizing Apps

Today in tech land, the Telegraph reports that Foursquare has signed a deal with Zagat that will allow you to pull up the little red book’s ratings, and Num Num Chronicles points out StreetEats, an app that lets you find out where your favorite food truck is parked.

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Plan Your Valentine's Day with the Chandon Concierge

valentine.chandon.com

Valentine's Day is about Perfect Pairs (you and your sweetheart, wine and chocolate). Whether you are staying in or stepping out, Chandon Sparkling Wines is on call to help you plan a memorable evening. Visit valentine.chandon.com to plan a perfect food and wine pairing for Valentine's Day. For those planning a night on the town, find and book restaurant reservations in one place. For those staying in, you can print out ingredients lists, recipes, and a wine pairing for a perfect evening. This service is also available on your mobile device at m.chandon.com.

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