SF Chinatown Icon Empress of China Will Rise Again

Hakkasan vet takes over Chinatown’s most iconic space

Known for its tuxedoed waiters and sweeping top-floor views, the Empress of China — housed in what is perhaps Chinatown’s most iconic building — has sat empty since 2014. Not for much longer, though, if all goes according to plan: The Michelin-starred Hakkasan chain’s former international executive chef, Ho Chee Boon, will reopen the restaurant as Empress by Boon in early 2020, the Chronicle reports. Details about the planned menu are scant, but the focus will be on modern Cantonese cuisine.

Beast Mode tries his hand at reality television

As is the case with many new restaurants, things have not always gone smoothly at Marshawn Lynch’s Emeryville bar and soul food restaurant Rob Ben’s. But the former all-world NFL running back is taking a somewhat unorthodox approach to fixing the problems: His restaurant will appear in an episode of the reality show Bar Rescue, the Chron reports. The episode will air on the Paramount Network in early 2020 — but you can check out the more sophisticated, “mature” look of the post-rescue Rob Ben’s anytime.

DoorDash gets into the commissary kitchen game

The restaurant delivery app company DoorDash has launched a new business venture in Redwood City: a shared commissary kitchen where restaurants like Halal Guys and Rooster & Rice will be able to set up in order to expand their delivery service. It’s unclear whether restaurants using the kitchen will have to pay DoorDash its full commission on orders, the SF Business Times reports.

An SF star chef expands to Houston

Chris Cosentino, the famously meat-loving celebrity chef of Cockscomb and Acacia House, has opened a new restaurant in Houston called Rosalie Italian Soul, Eater Houston reports. The menu is focused on Cosentino’s interpretations of what he calls “red sauce classics.”