EaterWire: Lilah Belle's Slated for Castro, Hunter Closes

THE CASTRO—The space on the corner of 18th and Church—most recently home to Shukri's Scrumptious Deli, we think—will become a take-out restaurant by Traci Higgins called Lilah Belle's. It's due the last week of September, is across the street from Dolores Park, and the press release describes the 500 square-foot place as "a true San Francisco healthy lifestyle eating change that's both fun and convenient for the person who is trying to lose weight or the busy professional who is in a food rut." Well, if it's fun AND convenient. [Newswire]

SANTA ROSA—Blaming "rising food costs and the slumping economy," 18-year-old Hunter Steakhouse closed yesterday. $26 million dollars of debt will do that: "The San Diego-based chain that owned the restaurant declared bankruptcy in May, listing $26 million in debts and $16 million in assets. On Thursday, the contents of the Victorian-style building on Cleveland Avenue will be sold at auction." [SRPD]

THE WORLD—We figured the highly publicized Bocuse d'Or was the only culinary Olympics around, but apparently we apparently thought incorrectly. The American Culinary Federation is sending six US chefs, none from California (or any major cities), to compete in the IKA in Germany: "Much like the Olympics, the IKA 'culinary Olympics” is considered the most prestigious competition in the industry. For four days, the world’s best chefs are challenged to prove their culinary skills and vie for gold medals." [EaterWire]

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