Huge Storm Dumps Cold Water on the Bay Area’s Outdoor Dining Dreams

Welcome to p.m. Intel, your bite-sized roundup of Bay Area food and restaurant news. Tips are always welcome, drop them here.

• Every county in the Bay Area will allow outdoor dining this week, but as a huge storm moves into the region, those sidewalk tables and parklet chairs might stay empty for now. NBC Bay Area says the upcoming rain will be the first major winter storm of the season, an “atmospheric river event” that will bring 2-3 inches of rain to SF, with wind gusts of up to 60 mph expected on the city’s west side. The storm is expected to hit the region Tuesday night, and heavy rain showers are expected all day on Wednesday and Thursday, ABC 7 reports, continuing through Sunday. “Debris flows and flash flooding” are also expected across the Bay Area, KRON 4 reports. Maybe this week should remain a takeout affair.
• Bay Area restauranteurs are happy that outdoor dining is back. [Bay Area News Group] [ABC 7] [KRON 4] [ABC 7]
• But some nurses [KPIX], state legislators [ABC 7] [SF Chronicle], and local newspapers [East Bay Times] say that the reopening is premature and far too risky.
• Separated by a war, the family that owns the East Bay’s Phnom Penh Restaurants didn’t really know each other until they started their business. [Oaklandside]
• A plan to landmark SoMa’s iconic Eagle leather bar has taken a strong step forward. [BAR]
• A Berkeley Safeway has lost its liquor license after allegedly selling to underaged customers. [Berkeleyside]
• Some Bay Area wineries are already open for tastings. [SF Chronicle]