North Italia will open a large Walnut Creek restaurant at Plaza Escuela on March 25, with fresh‑made pasta, weekend brunch and seating for about 200.

Tony Gemignani’s Slice House is coming to downtown San Jose at the Marketcenter on Coleman Avenue and is targeting a summer opening with regional slices. The chain will serve New York, Detroit, Grandma and Sicilian styles by the slice.

Cousins Ann Groux and Sheneen Brown opened Lil Sista’s Goody’s, a downtown Napa soul‑food restaurant serving shrimp and grits, oxtails and a popular Sunday buffet.

Frankie’s, from the Norcina team, has opened in the Marina with martini flights, Negroni menus and wines poured from 1.5L magnums alongside brick‑oven bites.

Understory filed for a liquor license at 1419 34th Ave #101, signaling a possible move or expansion in Oakland's Fruitvale.

Raising Cane’s is planning a Fisherman’s Wharf location at 211 Jefferson with permits filed and a targeted summer 2026 opening amid a broader Wharf refresh.

Vegan Mob has closed its downtown Vallejo outpost after a busy final day. Owner Toriano Gordon says he plans to pivot the brand toward franchising and a Los Angeles tour.

After 39 years on Valencia, We Be Sushi chef Andy Tonozuka has retired and closed the restaurant's last Mission location. The closure marks the end of a neighborhood mainstay.

JouJou, from the Lazy Bear team, opens March 6 in SoMa as a 6,500‑square‑foot French restaurant with a seafood‑heavy à‑la‑carte menu and a lively bar. Reservations are available via Tock.

The Slanted Door Group plans to reopen the Mission flagship at 584 Valencia Street in early 2027, moving forward under executive chef Dong Choi after Charles Phan’s death.

A red‑and‑yellow vegan burger joint has opened on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach, serving plant‑based riffs on quarter‑pounders, nuggets and a kid’s 'Frowny' meal.

Two high‑profile Bay Area chefs are teaming up at the original Akiko’s Bush Street space to open TBD, an izakaya blending dry‑aged sashimi with reimagined yakitori. The menu will mix grilled chicken, small plates and showy items like a tuna Wellington.

Kiri is turning its pop-up success into a permanent izakaya at 510 Union St., aiming to open in fall 2026. The team plans sit-down izakaya service in North Beach.