EaterWire: Chow Reopens, Industry Trends, Crush Report

THE CASTRO—Following a month-long, fire-imposed hiatus, Chow has avoided any extended closures and is reopening this afternoon for dinner service. Chow is back. Rejoice. [EaterWire]

PALO ALTO—First the Kearny blaze this morning and now this: "A fire in the ceiling at Evvia Estiatorio in downtown Palo Alto on Thursday drew firefighters from four different agencies and will leave the acclaimed restaurant closed for weeks." [Merc]

MEDIA—The Appeal wonders about the Chron's choices of neighborhood restaurants and also about the decision to file said list under "Crime Scene." There's something poetic about it though. [SFA]

INDUSTRY—It's no secret that restaurants are trying to minimize expenses in times like these, and a recent study indicates that employee training has become one sensible area of cutbacks. Training budgets have decreased in the past 18 months, and in casual dining, 64% say less money is being allocated for training. [R&I]

WINE COUNTRY—Seems like something freaks out the wineries every year during harvest. This year's curveball has been a sudden heat wave, but it might not be bad: "It seems no one was looking for this week’s heat wave. But, according to grower Lee Hudson, 'As it stands 2009 is making itself into something marvelous.'" [NVR]