Popular SF Chef Melissa Perello Plans to Open a Restaurant in Los Angeles

Melissa Perello is opening a restaurant in LA

Eater LA has the scoop on Perello’s next restaurant project, slated to open in the ROW development in downtown LA in 2019. It’s Perello’s first foray outside of San Francisco, —in addition to her Michelin-starred Frances and Octavia— covering 4,200 square feet designed by Studio Unltd. (Bestia, Otium, Dominique Ansel Bakery) with an open space to showcase live-fire cooking, plus outdoor dining. Perello said:

With this new project, we’re able to check a lot of things off the wish list for an ideal space and type of experience we plan to offer. We’re also really proud to join such an eclectic group of restaurants and retail at Row DTLA.

The restaurant will open across from LA’s massive Tartine Manufactory project, and near to former Manresa chef de cuisine Jessica Largey’s new restaurant.

Hayes Valley staple Absinthe announces new chef

Absinthe chef Adam Keough has moved on after eight years as executive chef. His replacement is Joel Ehrlich, former chef de cuisine at Absinthe Group’s Bellota. Ehrlich’s resume includes stints at Coqueta, Tra Vigne, and the much-loved and now-closed Martini House in St. Helena. Meanwhile, Robert Leva, former executive sous chef at Redd in Yountville, will take over Ehrlich’s responsibilities at Bellota.

San Francisco scores two finalists for international culinary prize

In its third year, the Basque Culinary World Prize has included two of SF’s industry stars in its finalist category: chef and activist Anthony Myint (The Perennial, ZeroFoodprint) and director of La Cocina, Caleb Zigas. The prize honors chefs and other culinary innovators whose actions have had a positive impact on the food industry. The winner will be chosen by a jury of peers like Dominique Crenn and Massimo Bottura and awarded a prize of 100,000 euros to use on a project to “express the transformative power of cuisine.” Stay tuned for the winner.

Tacubaya opens its doors on a much larger space this Thursday, July 12

Very popular Mexican destination Tacubaya is moving two doors down from its original location on Berkeley’s Fourth Street, into the space originally occupied by Cafe Rouge and, most recently, Pompette. There’ll be a full bar with mezcal and tequila at the new location, plus an expanded menu; otherwise things will be largely the same, just in a bigger space.

Breaking: Millennials love avocados

They also love Instagram, and presumably marathons, something pre-packaged guacamole brand Wholly Guacamole is banking on with its new exhibit: Guaclandia. It’s a brand stunt to launch snack-sized guacs for eating guac-on-the-go, complete with ridiculous Instagram thirst traps like a giant avocado chair, and “a variety of prizes in a vintage, avo-inspired arcade that includes a claw machine featuring avocado pool floats, pins, tote bags, pop sockets, dad hats, and other branded swag.” It’s joining the slew of vendors selling health-related items at the SF Marathon Race Expo on July 27 and 28.