Big, wonderful news in the bar world today, folks. Business Times reports today that iconic North Beach bar Tosca (242 Columbus) will receive new owners. Furthermore, a Michelin-starred chef will be in charge. "A group behind three popular restaurants out of New York City — the Spotted Pig, the Breslin Bar & Dining Room and the John Dory Oyster Bar — signed a 10-year lease to take over the property last month. Michelin-starred chef April Bloomfield is the executive chef and co-owner."

And our favorite two-time Academy Award winner (with a new orange twist!) is to blame. According to the Chronicle:

A well-publicized regular of Tosca, Penn saw the news in the paper and quickly called Ken Friedman, who opened the Spotted Pig with chef April Bloomfield in 2004. At the time, the Spotted Pig quickly became a hit, garnered a Michelin star, and has already evolved into one of New York’s most quintessential restaurants. Since then, Bloomfield and Friedman have opened several more restaurants, all in New York: The Breslin, the John Dory Oyster Bar and just this month, Salvation Taco. He’s also a partner in several other New York projects, like Monkey Bar, Locanda Verde and Rusty Knot.

What does this all mean? It means that Tocsa is staying. Which is splendiferous news. That little stretch of North Beach (encompassing Specs, Comstock, and Mr. Bings) is something special and needs Tosca keep it in balance. Anyway, as Grub Street goes on to report, "Tosca will be closing for renovations after the liquor license transfers, and the plan is to reopen within two months after that." Except a reopening date sometime later this summer.