This week SFist alerted you to the opening of the Lodge, so peek at their burger-forward menu, if you'd like. There was also news that Ravi Kapur of Liholiho Yacht Club and David Barzelay of Lazy Bear had scored spots as Food & Wine Best New Chefs, so congrats again to them. We also learned that Mister Jiu's would open on April 12th: Mark your calendars. And SF Chronicle food scribe headed south to LA to check in on their dining scene, including the likes of former locals like Jeremy Fox. Of course, there was plenty more news for epicureans about town. Read on.

The Bayview's got a Craftsman & Wolves now, as Hoodline had word. In fact, their commercial kitchen has been there this whole time, supplying their Russian Hill and Mission locations, but now pastry chef William Werner has added a storefront there, dubbed "The Den."

A Ferry Building staple for rotisserie and sandwiches, Il Cane Rosso has shuttered, Inside Scoop reports. Their lease, after seven years, was up and chef-owner Lauren Kiino elected not to renew it. Meanwhile, Red Dog in SoMa, also from Kiino, is closed currently but will reopen.

Over in North Beach, Tosca owners Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield of NYC are moving forward on their plan to open a bar in the shuttered strip joint the Lusty Lady, which is in the same building as Tosca on the rear side. Hoodline checked in with Friedman on that: Plans include rehabbing the venue's marquee, providing drinks and bar snacks, and maybe a little bit of a tame, non-nude peep show. Sadly, they won't be able to keep the name, which they offered to buy.

Calavera Mexican Kitchen and Agave Bar is the subject of class action wage theft lawsuit, Inside Scoop reports. The high-end Oakland establishment denies the claims, which follow similar lawsuits against San Francisco restaurants, one against Farina and another against Coqueta.

Forget steam beer: Anchor Distilling Company has opened its tasting room, where tours of the spirit-making facility are offered according to Eater. Yes, the gin and whiskey and vodka have been available by the bottle since 1993, when founder Fritz Maytag pushed for their inclusion in his beverage line, but now you can enjoy them at the source.

So, 24-hour diner Sparky’s is really over, and this glimpse of the gutted space from Hoodline may be triggering for those who enjoyed the decisions they made there. Last we'd checked, the owner had seemingly abandoned the property, and was also perhaps late on rent.

Hoodline tells us that Fondue Chinoise is open off of Broadway in North Beach. It's a hot pot restaurant in the traditional Szechuan style and, get this, it's open till 2 a.m.

Bruce Hill, the restaurant owner with Picco, Zero Zero, Bix, and Fog City to his name, has appointed new chefs at both Fog City and Picco, both poached from Gitane. According to Eater, Jason Tuley will be in the kitchen at Picco and Kenny Fox is now in charge at Fog City.

Marla Bakery is reviving its dinner menu after a two month break. Thanks, owners Amy Brown and Joe Wolf! Inside Scoop has a look at the menu for the spot out on Balboa near 37th, so look out for items such as ribollita and lamb neck confit.

After Pesce closed in the Castro last fall, it appeared that the folks behind the beloved and one-time Michelin-starred Sausalito joint Sushi Ran, would be stepping in. Hoodline hadn't seen much movement, so they checked in on on the project, whose opening date still TBD. It is indeed still a go: They're calling it Nomica and priming us for modern Japanese cuisine.

Great news! It's now easier to get a table at AL’s Place, even after that whole business of its many accolades, thanks to more tables for walk-ins. Inside Scoop is reporting that you enjoy chef Aaron London's mostly vegeterian fare al fresco thanks to some tables beside the restaurant. Even better news: The patio area is heated.

This Week In Reviews:

In addition to his LA jaunt, BMr. Bauer’s midweek review was of 1300 on Fillmore. Chef-owner David Lawrence is going strong after nine years, says Bauer, blending "classic techniques with soul food favorites to create dishes that feel as timeless as the interior." The fried chicken and the beignets are musts — and look out for Lawrence's spin off, Black Bark BBQ, which opened in January. As for 1300 on Fillmore: two-and-a-half stars.

Anna Roth checked out the Butcher’s Son for the Chronicle, a vegan deli that posits a presumably divisive parent-child relationship. While "a few sandwiches were almost there but had yet to cross the uncanny valley between real and imitation," the meatless, dairy-free "meatball sub" — seitan, shiitakes, cashew mozzarella — sounds to be great.

Peter Kane for the Weekly checked out Leo’s Oyster Bar, an "elaborately art-directed" joint in the former Wexler's. The throwback establishment "looks like the lanai from a certain 1980s TV show about four older women cohabitating in Miami. As far as food, "there's sea urchin toast, a King Crab Louie, and an osetra, crème fraîche, and truffled beet pancake — plus a $120 ounce of European sturgeon with all the accoutrements, if you're feeling particularly dandyish" but "these bites are really just meant to anchor you to your barstool for cocktails like the Barbarita (tequila, celery, and pepper), the Betty's Morning Buzz (bitters, cocchi, and soda) or the Rob-Roy-and-then-some Office Supplies (scotch, amaro, and vermouth)."

Kane also hit up Cafe Eugene in Albany, where the cuisine is Oregonian — think "Eugene-style tofu pâté." Says Kane: "The entrees were the clear winners, and "braised pork shoulder in tomatillos with cotija cheese, chayote, butternut squash, and a wild herb sauce over grits ($20) was genuinely un-improvable." Sounds worth the trip — it's closer than Portland!