Reporter promotes self; film at 11.

In my rush to write about 7X7's food blog I neglected to introduce the site.

I write about the business side of restaurants and hotels at the San Francisco Business Times.

This blog, Covers, will focus on the business side of restaurants and hotels. The money. The deals. The players in the back of the house.

You can read more about me on my personal Web site or check out some past articles, like:

• Kuleto sets new table: Bold venture shocks S.F. restaurant vets (Sept. 1)
• San Francisco is losing its seat at foodies' table: Economics eating away at posh restaurant openings (Sept. 18)
  
• S.F. eateries serve Vegas $5K burger: Circolo, Fleur de Lys betting on casual food (Mar. 20)
  
• Kitchens catch fire: Red-hot Ferry Building rings up $50M food tab (Feb. 27)
• St. Regis worth the wait? (Jun. 6, 2005)
• Viva Las Vegas: S.F. chefs are hitting the casinos -- and some $10M jackpots (Mar. 8, 2004)

Over the years I have been the first to report on Slanted Door's move to the Ferry Building, Supper Club coming to town, Ame going into the St. Regis, a gourmet food hall opening next to Chez Panisse, Dona Tomas expanding to downtown Oakland and Tamarindo and B's coming in to Old Oakland. On the hotel side, I was first to report the sale or listing of the St. Francis, Park Hyatt, Argent, Pan Pacific (twice) and Sir Francis Drake hotels, among others, and about Joie de Vivre's expansion to Los Angeles.

Yadda yadda yadda -- that's me. Onto the next post! Check back soon, or better yet sign up for the feed.