Blue Bottle Kiosk, Contraband Coffee, and Front Cafe Provide Caffeine Buzz

By Mollie McWilliams Wed., Aug. 15 2012 at 3:30 PM

Categories: Buzz Machine

The latest in gossip, innuendo, and cold hard facts about the San Francisco food scene.

Tablehopper has some caffeine news. Contraband Coffee is soft opening its second location this weekend (1648 Pacific at Polk), Front Cafe is now serving coffee and has plans for beer/wine later (150 Mississsippi at Mariposa), and Inside Scoop says the Blue Bottle kiosk at the new Heath Ceramic warehouse is up and brewing.

For all of those who are looking for lunch in the Financial District, Chowhound discovers the International Food Court has reopened after a year hiatus (due to an electrical fire).

Another pop-up has set-up shop. Tablehopper notes Soul Groove, which offers soul food with an international twist, has softly opened a spot in the Tenderloin (422 Larkin at Golden Gate). And yes, the pop-ups will still happen -- just not as often.

Also, Tablehopper shares, via a reader, that Full Moon Thai Bistro (1220 Ninth Ave. at Irving) has opened in the Inner Sunset.

Changes in the kitchen: Chef Erik Hopfinger has left Jake's on Market, according to Inside Scoop. His contract was up, and so he headed off to the Bahamas, where he'll be working until the holidays. Tablehopper notes Perbacco's new pastry chef is Laura Cronin (Zero Zero and Thorough Bread and Pastry), and her new dessert menu debuts today.

And Eater SF says Martin Yan's M.Y. China is coming along, and they plan to open on October 8 (a date known for good luck).

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