Welcome to pm Intel, your news summary about food and restaurants in the Bay Area. Tips are always welcome, drop them here.
- As coronavirus cases are trending, don’t count on al fresco dining in the Bay Area until at least February, the SF Chronicle reports. In a press release sent this week, state officials said the availability of hospital beds in the Bay Area remains low and that the order to stay in the area’s home – which allows restaurants to serve take-out and delivery food – “will be suspended … since its four-week ICU projection shows a capacity greater than or equal to 15 percent. ”Using the California COVID assessment tool, the Chron says that the fastest that could happen would be the week of February 7.
- California customers can order Russian River’s much-requested drink, Pliny the Younger, online this year, as the long lines and long waits it attracts with its usual in-person launch are not safe during the pandemic. [Bay Area News Group]
- As first announced over three years ago, Peggy Smith and Sue Conley, the founders of Cowgirl Creamery, are about to retire. [SF Chronicle]
- Puerto Rican Oakland La Perla is planning an expansion. [Berkeleyside]
- Also in expansion mode: East Bay / Colorado Bakery Third Culture. [SF Gate]
- Food critic Soleil Ho checks Malibu’s and Amy’s vegetarian burgers. [SF Chronicle]
- Concord Comfort Food Week starts today. [Bay Area News Group]