Probably the biggest food-news item that we haven't yet touched on this week is an update on chef Brandon Jew's long-awaited solo project in Chinatown. Formerly the opening chef at Bar Agricole, Jew is an S.F. native who grew up going to Chinatown with his grandmother. He decided over a year ago that he wanted to open a modern Chinese restaurant utilizing fresh, organic, seasonal ingredients. "For me, I felt like making the biggest statement for Chinese food had to be done in Chinatown," Jew tells the Chron, and he now reveals that he'll be using his family's original, non-Americanized surname for the restaurant name: Mister Jiu. And, excitingly, he's taking over a historic restaurant space at 731 Grant Avenue, which has been home to two big restaurants since the late 1800s: the famed Hang Far Low, and currently Four Seas. [Chron]
Also, on the topic of Chinatown, there's some more details this week about the massive (30,000-square-foot) China Live project that's going in at 644-660 Broadway. It's the baby of restaurateur George Chen (Shanghai 1930), and as the Business Times reports, the ground-floor space is going to feature a market selling Chinese teas, spices, condiments, cookware, and house-cured meats; a tea cafe; and a "155-seat market restaurant with five specialized exhibition kitchens, including a noodle bar, a dim sum and dumplings kitchen, a Chinese charcuterie and barbecue station, a seafood and raw bar, and a rice table and seasonal vegetable kitchen." Then on the second-floor he's opening Eight Tables, a fine-dining restaurant with only eight tables that will serve a 12-course seasonal prix fixe for about $200. Also there'll be a 42-seat cocktail bar upstairs as well dubbed Madame’s Parlour, and a big event space. He's aiming for a March 2015 opening. [SF Business Times]
Over in the Mission, Monk's Kettle is planning to close in the first couple weeks of September for a renovation that's going to include a new dual-temperature draft system with 28 lines, and a small sidewalk patio space with about 20 seats. They're planning to reopen September 20 in time for Oktoberfest. [Eater]
In SoMa, we previously warned you of the impending arrival of Sea Ranch-based TwoFish Baking Company (240 Ritch Street), and it's now here. Bakers Hilla Ahvenainen and Margaret Smith specialize in cinnamon rolls, challah, homemade pizza, calzones, and extra-gooey sticky buns. Apologies to all Paleo people with carb envy. [Tablehopper]
Cookie lovers should be aware that the baker responsible for the former CookieTime Truck is doing a cookie pop-up this weekend at Leland Tea Company (Bush and Polk). [Bold Italic]
Vegetarian-focused Indian place Udupi Palace, which already has locations in Berkeley and in the Mission, has just debuted a third spot in the Marina at 3242 Scott Street (formerly Cedar Hill BBQ). [Eater]
Seven-year-old Sotto Mare in North Beach is changing hands, and unfortunately may not stay the same well respected "red sauce joint" that it's been since opening in 2007. [Inside Scoop]
A 26-seat breakfast-and-lunch spot called Foghorn Bayview (4608 3rd Street at McKinnon) is headed to the Bayview this winter. Expect homemade biscuits and a Southern vibe, De La Paz coffee and a non-alcoholic "cocktail" bar, as well as more food options from one of the guys behind the Bayview Underground Food Scene. They're aiming for a November opening. [Tablehopper]