In this edition, a new Japanese spot opens in North Beach; a longtime Italian specialty shop closes; and a food-truck gathering adds a new lunchtime venue.

Opening

North Beach

Noren Izakaya (1701 Powell St.)

Noren Izakaya is now open in the old Sushi Hunter space on the border of North Beach and Russian Hill, according to tipster Michael C.

As we reported last month, the new izakaya is a rebrand of Sushi Hunter with the same owners, husband-and-wife team Hanson and Kristy Lau. It now specializes in charcoal-grilled skewers, small plates and sake, inspired by the drinking dens of Kyoto. 

Skewer options incorporate the full range of chicken, from breasts and thighs to gizzards and tails, as well as various veggies (many of them wrapped in bacon), lamb chops and Wagyu beef.

Small plates include chicken gyoza, agedashi tofu and a crispy chicken skin salad with daikon and cabbage. There are also two different kinds of ramen on offer, including a pork tonkotsu ramen. (For the full menu, go here.)

Noren is currently open Thursdays through Sundays from 5:30pm–10:30pm.

Closing

Mission

Lucca Ravioli (1100 Valencia St.)

After initially announcing it would shutter on Easter weekend, Valencia Street's iconic Lucca Ravioli — a beloved family business that's been selling Italian goods and homemade ravioli since 1925 — extended its run for 10 extra days. But today is officially its last day in business. 

Earlier this year, Lucca Ravioli’s detached parking lot parcel at 1120 Valencia St. was sold to a developer, with plans for a five-story development to rise on its mid-block site. Now, Lucca's building on the corner of 22nd and Valencia streets is on the market for $1,450,000. A sale is pending.

Lucca's (and the properties') owner, Michael Feno, did not respond to a request for comment on the sale. Feno's great-uncle, Francesco Stanghellini, was the original founder of Lucca, and many locals believe Feno and his family are taking advantage of the hot real estate market to divest some of their longtime properties. 

On its website, the deli thanks its longtime patrons. "Thank you to all of our customers that walked through our door, and allowed us to be of service to them."

If you want to say goodbye in person and stock up on some of your favorite Italian goodies, drop in before 6 p.m. today, when the doors close for good.

Updates

Embarcadero 

Off the Grid (Don Chee Way)

Starting tomorrow, May 1, food truck gathering Off the Grid will be expanding to the Embarcadero, offering lunch three days a week. Trucks will be parked on Don Chee Way, between the Embarcadero and Steuart Street. 

Trucks will be in place Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the three weekdays when the Ferry Building farmers market is not in session. Featured vendors will include Da Poke Man, Kurotaka Ramen, Curry Up Now, Happy Dumplings, Lamas Peruvian and more.

Founder and CEO Matt Cohen said that he's gotten requests to expand to the Embarcadero for years. “When the opportunity to activate Don Chee Way was presented to us, we jumped,” he said. “We’re excited to build on the occasional pop-ups we’ve done in this same space, and offer a new communal lunch spot."

Thank you very much to Michael C. for the tip! Seen something new in your neighborhood? Text your tips and photos to (415) 200-3233, or email [email protected]. If we use your info in a story, we'll give you credit.