BERKELEY—The owners of Comal, John Paluska and Andrew Hoffman, have finally settled a lawsuit from the Elmwood Neighborhood Association that was preventing the buildout of their second restaurant, a still-unnamed Californian concept with cocktails. Construction will now start in early 2015, with hopes of opening in the summer. [Berkeleyside Nosh]
RUSSIAN HILL/BERKELEY—Congrats to Gather and Verbena chef Sean Baker, who was named as one of Cooking Light's Trailblazing Chefs. Baker was honored for "a menu that could serve as a template for the ideal omnivore diet: plenty of plants and grains and judicious amounts of meat." Rick Bayless and the chefs of Chicago's acclaimed Fat Rice were among the other winners. [Cooking Light]
OAKLAND—If you've never had them together before, fried chicken and Champagne are a match made in heaven. (A brand-new NYC restaurant, Bubbles & Birds, is even dedicated to this pairing.) Enjoy it in Oakland at Tasting Table's Bubbly & Crunch event this Thursday, featuring free-flowing Gloria Ferrer bubbly and yardbird from the likes of Miss Ollie's, Pican, Namu Gaji and Little Skillet. Tickets are $65. [EaterWire]
SOMA—Heart Arrow Ranch is providing all the fodder for a special dinner at Bar Agricole tomorrow night, featuring their lamb and vegetables alongside wine from Dashe Cellars. Tickets are $75 for three courses, including wine. [EaterWire]
