Berkeley: For those who’ve endured long lines to sample some of the spicy, greasy, street food goodness at Vik’s Chaat House over the years, the news that they’ve expanded to the larger Vik’s Chaat Corner at 2390 4th Street should be a good reason to go back — same dahi papdi chaat, more room to sit, and just two block away from the original. [Chron]
Palo Alto: The big news at the molecular gastronomic end of things is the debut of Bruno Chemel’s 22-seat solo effort, Baumé. The place is named for French chemist Antoine Baumé, and Chemel hopes to put all that ugly Chez TJ stuff behind him, offering only three prix fixe options, starting with a five-courser for $78 and going up to fifteen courses for $148 (almost a bargain at $15 per tiny plate!).
Mission: Mi Lindo Yucatan, across from the shuttered Conduit at 15th and Valencia, is dunzo, and follows on the closure of its Noe Valley counterpart. [Eater]
More Mission: Scott Youkilis of Maverick and Eric Rubin of Tres Agaves are working on a new comfort-food-and-cocktails venue called Hogs & Rocks (as opposed to Pigs & Pinot?), due a little later this year near 19th & Mission. [Chron]
And also in the Mission: Mission Minis on 22nd reopened yesterday after a brief oops involving permits. They’ve been doing their baking at La Cocina since the closing, and they can’t start using the kitchen again until they deal with some fire department stuff.
Ferry Building: Adding to the closure list of Lulu Petite and Tsar Nicoulai Caviar comes new that Mastrelli’s Delicatessen is also closing. Eater adds to the rumor mill about I Preferiti di Boriana and Ferry Plaza Seafood, and suggests that the next generation of newcomers will be higher profile tenants who can swing higher rents. [Chron, Eater]
Oakland: César on Piedmont is getting a more South American makeover, with a new name (César Latino), and menu additions like Colombian tamales and Argentinian bistec. [Chron]
SOMA: A new coffee kiosk cropped up today at 46 Minna: Special Xtra. It’s the sister kiosk to Cento and Vega. [SFoodie]
Also in SOMA: The former Boss nightclub at 750 Harrison (which as far as we could tell was a Korean-centric karaoke club) has become Manor West, which sounds like it wants to be a models-and-bottles situation but we’re not so sure. [ZagatBuzz]
Lower Haight: The former Raja Indian Cuisine (500 Haight at Fillmore) has been taken up by local chain Clay Oven. [Eater]
Yerba Buena: Sanraku at the Metreon is offering Japanese small plates during happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. [SFoodie]
Bernal Heights: Also in a Japanese vein, we neglected to mention the opening of Sandbox Bakery a couple weeks back, serving up “fusion pastries” from Slanted Door pastry chef Mutsumi Takehara. [Chron]
Inner Sunset: Curry Village opens tomorrow in the former Cha-Ya space at 9th and Irving.
Polk Gulch: And rounding out the closure list, hookah spot Casablanca Café on Polk Street. [Eater]
