Moya Opening Soon; Qi Needs a Permit; and MORE!!

SOMA - New Ethiopian restaurant and coffeehouse Moya -- which means "gourmet" in Amharic -- is targeting a June 19 opening date at 1044 Folsom. Owner Fana Alemayehu will oversee breakfast, lunch and dinner service, featuring staples like kitfo made with organic, locally grown ingredients. As is often the case with fare from this region, vegan and vegetarians will be well taken care of. Ethiopian coffee, fresh pastries and homemade bread will also be offered. [EaterWire]

SOMA EXTRA - A representative from Qi Ultralounge (pronounced key) was at the recent Entertainment Commission meeting to place her case for an entertainment permit for the "upscale lounge" coming soon to the old Annie's Social Club space at 917 Folsom Street. She described the business as catering to the 35 and over set with "high-end desserts, light fare, DJs and celebrity appearances." Because there's no better way to lure the silver foxes than with molten chocolate cake and MC Hammer sightings, right? Well, the permit discussion was suspended until the next meeting because the Commissioners wanted more background information on Steven Crooks, who was not listed on the original application, but is a co-owner with Marco Vazquez. [EaterWire]

OAKLAND - Owner Jay-Ar Pugao's opening of No Worries Filipino and vegan cuisine on 1442 Franklin Street in Uptown Oakland has been pushed to early August due to "uncontrollable circumstances." When the veil is lifted, this 50-seater will serve offerings very similar to its catering menu, although Pugao would like to broaden the variety and include vegan Filipino desserts and drinks later on. And it looks like Pugao is one big-hearted vegan Filipino, as he's working on a green bike-driven delivery service and a 12-week sustainable living summer program for Oakland youth. [EaterWire]

MARIN - Shah Bahreyni and chef-partner Sam Ramadan of Novato's five-year-old Boca Steak & Seafood are hoping to open Boca Pizzeria & Wine Bar by next Friday at 454 Ignacio Boulevard. Bahreyni who was recently certified by the Verace Pizza Napolitana of Italy will be overseeing nine different pizzas filing out of the imported Mugnaini tile-faced oven. Things the Bay Area likes such as designer Michael Brennan, wine on-tap and locally made micro-brews will all play a part. And they'll even hire a cocktail consultant before they get their liquor license in about three months. [EaterWire]

WESTERN ADDITION - The SFoodie folks tell of Gialina owner Sharon Ardiana's recent gas-fired stone hearth oven purchase for her new pizzeria. Ragazza, which we first mentioned in April, should open at 311 Divisadero in early September: "'I'll have enough room in the oven to do a couple of baked pastas, a couple of roasted things, and other entrees I can't do at Gialina because that oven is always crammed with pizzas,'" she says. Further new space details include a 43-seat dining room and patron access to a back garden where drinks and maybe even food will be served. [SFoodie]

OAKLAND - Sparky's new 4151 Piedmont Ave. location has a land line installed and should be opening in two or three weeks. [EaterWire]
Moya. [Photo: Melissa Roska]