Neighborhood Watch

Bambuddha Closes, New Chefs at Gitane and The Ritz, and More

Bambuddha Lounge
Bambuddha Lounge Photo: GlobalZona

Tenderloin: Bambuddha Lounge, the poolside bar and restaurant which replaced early aughts fave Backflip at the Phoenix Hotel and has been faithfully serving a mostly bridge-and-tunnel crowd ever since, shuttered last Thursday. Joie de Vivre Hospitality is looking to offload the whole property in the near future, but the hotel remains open. [Eater]
FiDi: Bridget Batson comes on board today at Gitane, where she’ll take full control of the kitchen from opening chef Lisa Eyherabide by June 1. Batson, formerly of Hawthorne Lane/TWO and Pizzeria Delfina, is planning to experiment with tagines and pan-Mediterranean flatbreads. She’ll also be directing all culinary operations at Claude Lane. [Grub Street]

Presidio: Tablehopper reports on the return of owner Ray Tang to Presidio Social Club, where he’s also installed a new chef: Derek McCarthy, formerly of Blue Plate. The Sunday pig roast will be returning, and the menu will be getting simpler and less expensive. [Tablehopper]
Nob Hill: Patrick Callerac has been named Executive Chef at the Ritz-Carlton, primarily for lobby and in-room dining. Ron Siegel remains in charge of The Dining Room at the Ritz. [Tablehopper]
Downtown: Aforementioned, spiritual vegan eatery Loving Hut has opened in the Westfield Centre food court. [SFoodie]
Oakland: Sushi Park, at 4209 Park Blvd. in Glenview, is either open or about to open after an extended delay. [Grub Street]
San Mateo: Former Poleng Lounge chef Tim Luym is opening a pan-Asian, Filipino-focused restaurant with a lot of Poleng flair called Attic on B Street in San Mateo. [SFoodie]

Bambuddha Closes, New Chefs at Gitane and The Ritz, and More