SOMA – Chef switch-up at Anchor & Hope: Peter Janiak, who has served as Executive Sous Chef at Presidio Social Club for the past three years will be taking over as Chef du Cuisine. He’s filling in for Sarah Schafer who’s helping owners Mitch and Steve Rosenthal and Doug Washington as Executive Chef at their impending Portland venture (more below). Massachusetts-native Janiak is apparently a seafood guru, so there’s no guessing why this move makes sense. Expect an amped up happy hour and lunch program soon after he starts on April 5th. [Eaterwire]
HAYES VALLEY- – From Madam Tablehopper we learn super-authentic Japanese stop, Sebo, has temporarily and unexpectedly shuttered. They will reopen for regular service on Friday the 16th. [TH]
EAST BAY- – Oakland’s brand new Liege Spirits Lounge, from Kiri Eschelle and Dirk Kahl, will roll out full hours starting this week, meaning they'll be open a little longer on Sunday: 6 p.m. - 1 a.m. The 2200-square-foot space is more intimate than their spot down the street, Levende East, and the now-shuttered Levende Lounge they owned in the Mission. Also different: the food, cocktail, AND spirits menu changes every eight weeks to reflect a new global region. Latin America will be holding court until mid-May, followed by Asia and then probably France. [Eaterwire]
PORTLAND – According to 7x7’s Jessica Battilana, the new venture from the Rosenthal brothers and Doug Washington has a name: Irving Street Kitchen. They’ll be sidling up to a bunch of other re-purposed warehouses in Portland's up-and-coming Pearl District and diving even further into the sustainable, local, organic thing than they do in San Francisco. [Bits & Bites]
MISSION – Leif Hedendal -- resident chef at Meatpaper magazine, consultant at Outer Sunset’s Outerlands, Underground dinner maker, and spreader of general earthy goodness -- will be posting up at the Mission’s La Victoria Bakery on Thursday, April 8, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. offering a “surprise a la carte menu” at “affordable prices”; featuring Dirty Girl strawberries, green garlic, Meiwa kumquats, nettles, and other locally farmed goods. No ressies are necessary, so presumably you can show up and get your fungi on. [Eaterwire]
UNION SQUARE – Top Chef vet Jen Biesty is doing the AIDS/Life Cycle ride, which starts on June 6 and lasts for a week. She’s hosting a “FUNdraising” event this Thursday at Harry Denton’s Starlight Room to raise money for the cause. Door charge is $25 in exchange for all you can eat and drink: appetizers cooked up by Biesty and Slanted Door chef Alicia Jenish. Drink selections include Ketel One cocktails, Trumer Pils beer, and wine too. [Eaterwire]
